How much does it cost to call Syria with Sayfone?

Calls to Syria are 90¢ per minute for both landlines and mobile numbers. There are no connection fees, no subscriptions, and no hidden charges — you pay only for the minutes you use.

Do I need to download an app to call Syria?

No. You can call Syria directly from your web browser using any device — desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. No app download is required.

What is Syria's country code?

Syria's country code is +963. To call a Syrian number internationally, dial +963 followed by the area code (for landlines) or operator prefix (for mobiles), then the subscriber number. Drop the leading zero used in domestic dialing.

Can I call mobile phones in Syria, or only landlines?

You can call both mobile phones and landlines in Syria at the same rate of 90¢/min. Mobile numbers use operator prefixes like 93, 94, 95, 98, or 99, while landlines use geographic area codes.

Why are calls to Syria more expensive than calls to other countries?

Syria's telecom infrastructure has been severely damaged by over a decade of conflict. The state-controlled monopoly on fixed-line networks, limited mobile competition, and the legacy of international sanctions all contribute to higher international termination rates compared to most destinations.

What time zone is Syria in?

Syria uses UTC+3 (Arabia Standard Time) year-round. Daylight saving time was permanently discontinued in October 2022. When it's noon in New York (ET), it's 7 PM in Syria.

Will my call connect if the person in Syria has poor internet?

Yes. Sayfone calls are routed over real telephone lines, not the internet. Your call connects to the recipient's phone via Syria's landline or mobile network, so their internet speed or availability doesn't matter.

Can I call someone in Idlib or northeastern Syria?

Calls to areas with active Syrian telecom infrastructure should connect normally. However, some regions like Idlib have limited coverage from Syrian operators. If the recipient uses a Turkish SIM or satellite connection, you may need to dial a Turkish number instead.

What area code do I use for Damascus?

The area code for Damascus (and its rural surroundings) is 11. To call a Damascus landline internationally, dial +963 11 followed by the 7-digit local number.

Is it safe and legal to call Syria from the US or Europe?

Yes. Making personal or business phone calls to Syria is legal from the US, UK, EU, and most countries worldwide. Following the political transition in late 2024, many Western sanctions on Syria have been partially or fully lifted.

International Calling

Call Syria from Anywhere — Affordable, Clear, Instant

Reach loved ones across Syria with transparent per-minute rates. No app download required — just dial from your browser or phone.

Start Calling Syria

90¢/min to Syria — landline and mobile
No contracts or subscription required
HD-quality calls over real phone lines

Estimate cost

🇸🇾

Syria

Country code +963

$0.90

Landline

$0.90

Mobile

~60%

vs retail*

Same per-minute Sayfone rate for landline and mobile calls.

Average call quality

*Illustrative savings vs 2.5× directory rate — not a carrier quote.

Simple steps

See your exact savings with Sayfone

Drag the slider to match your Syria call volume. See what you're spending versus what you could be spending with Sayfone.

Monthly call minutes

Drag slider to adjust

220

min / month

Call type

AT&T / Verizon$9,702

~$44.10/min

T-Mobile$7,326

~$33.30/min

Calling cards$4,356

~$19.80/min

Google Voice$990

~$4.50/min

Sayfone$198

$0.900/min

Annual saving vs. AT&T

Based on 220 min/month

$114,048

Try Sayfone Free

GETTING STARTED

How to Call Syria in Three Steps

No app install, no SIM card, no account setup. Place international calls to Syria directly from your browser or any phone.

Instant access

Step 1

Enter the Syrian Number

Type or paste the full international number, starting with +963 followed by the area code and local number. No need to remember exit codes — we format it for you.

Dialer

+00 000 000 00

123

Start Calling Now

Step 2

Choose How to Connect

Call directly from your browser using WebRTC for the best convenience, or use your regular phone. Both options deliver HD-quality audio to Syria.

HD audio from your browser

Step 3

Talk as Long as You Need

Your call connects instantly through real phone lines in Syria. Pay only for the minutes you use — no rounding, no minimums, no surprises.

UNDERSTANDING COSTS

Why Calling Syria Costs More Than Most Countries

International calls to Syria carry higher rates than many destinations. The reasons are structural, tied to infrastructure damage, limited competition, and state-controlled telecom networks.

War-Damaged Infrastructure

More than a decade of civil conflict has severely damaged Syria's telecommunications infrastructure. Towers in rural areas have been destroyed or looted, and cable theft has been widespread. Reconstruction costs have been estimated at up to $200 billion across the telecom sector alone.

[1]Syria's Telecom Sector: Between Neglect and Reconstruction — SMEXInfrastructure destruction and reconstruction cost estimate.

State-Controlled Monopoly

All fixed-line communications in Syria are provided by the state-owned Syrian Telecommunications Establishment (STE). Every phone call and data packet in government-controlled areas flows through STE infrastructure, which limits competitive pricing for international termination.

[1]Telecommunications in Syria — WikipediaSTE monopoly on fixed-line infrastructure.

Sanctions and Import Restrictions

Years of international economic sanctions made it extremely difficult to import modern equipment, leaving Syria's network outdated and inefficient. While some sanctions have been lifted following the political transition in late 2024, legacy effects on infrastructure costs persist.

[1]Syria Telecoms — BuddeCommSanctions impact on telecom imports and infrastructure.

Limited Mobile Competition

Syria's mobile market has historically been served by just two operators — Syriatel and MTN Syria — with a third (Wafa Telecom) only recently licensed. MTN Group effectively exited the market in 2021, creating near-monopoly conditions in many areas and keeping termination rates high.

[1]Syria Telecoms — BuddeCommMTN exit and mobile monopoly conditions.

Sources

1
Telecommunications in Syria — Wikipedia
Supports claims about state monopoly, infrastructure damage, and low internet speeds.
2
Syria Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband — BuddeComm
Supports claims about infrastructure destruction, sanctions impact, and monopoly conditions.
3
Syria's Telecom Sector: Between Neglect and Reconstruction — SMEX
Supports claims about infrastructure destruction and reconstruction costs.
4
ITU National Numbering Plan — Syria
Authoritative reference for Syrian telecom numbering.

CALLING OPTIONS

How People Currently Call Syria

Reaching someone in Syria involves navigating infrastructure limitations and connectivity challenges. Here's how different methods compare for callers outside Syria.

WhatsApp / Messenger Voice Calls

Free (data required)Unreliable in Syria

Unreliable in Syria

WhatsApp messaging and calls generally work in Syria, but internet speeds average under 5 Mbps and connections are frequently disrupted, especially in rural or formerly conflict-affected areas. Call quality is often poor, with dropped calls common.

International Calling Cards

Varies widelyAvailable but opaque

Available but opaque

Prepaid calling cards for Syria exist but often carry hidden fees, connection charges, and expiration dates. Rates can appear low but effective per-minute costs tend to be much higher after surcharges.

Mobile Carrier International Plans

$1.50–$3.00+/min typicalExpensive

Expensive

Major US and European carriers charge steep per-minute rates for calls to Syria. Some carriers don't even include Syria in their international add-on packages due to the destination's complexity.

Sayfone (Browser or Phone)

90¢/minRecommended

Recommended

Call Syrian landlines and mobiles at a flat, transparent per-minute rate. Calls route over real phone lines for reliable audio quality regardless of the recipient's internet access. No app download or subscription needed.

Bar lengths reflect relative cost tiers for each option — not survey percentages.

CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGES

Why Internet Calling to Syria Often Falls Short

Free calling apps depend on a strong, stable internet connection on both ends. Syria's internet infrastructure makes this particularly challenging.

Sayfone's advantage

Your call terminates on Syria's actual telephone network — not over the recipient's internet connection. This means reliable audio quality even when internet in Syria is slow, disrupted, or unavailable.

No internet needed on the recipient's end
Calls connect to landlines and mobiles alike
Works even during internet disruptions or low-bandwidth periods
Consistent audio quality regardless of Syria's network conditions

Call Syria Now

The problem

1
Extremely Slow Internet Speeds
Syria ranks near the bottom globally for internet speed, averaging around 4.6 Mbps as of mid-2024 — placing it 179th out of 181 countries measured. VoIP apps need consistent bandwidth that Syria's networks often cannot provide.
- [1]Telecommunications in Syria — WikipediaInternet speed ranking data.
2
Frequent Internet Disruptions
Syria has experienced numerous internet blackouts, both during the civil conflict and more recently during exam periods when the government shut down connectivity nationwide. While conditions have improved since the 2024 political transition, outages still occur due to damaged infrastructure and intermittent electricity.
- [1]Exam-ining recent Internet shutdowns — CloudflareDocumentation of Syrian internet shutdowns.
3
Patchy Mobile Coverage Outside Cities
While mobile coverage reaches about 96% of Syria's population in theory, real-world availability is much lower in conflict-affected and rural areas. In regions like Idlib, there is limited or no coverage from Syrian operators, and residents rely on Turkish network signals or satellite connections.
- [1]Telecommunications in Syria — WikipediaMobile coverage claim.
4
Intermittent Electricity Supply
Syria's electricity supply remains unreliable in many areas, compounding connectivity problems. Without power, routers, cell towers, and devices go offline — making internet-based calls impossible even where infrastructure nominally exists.
- [1]Syria Telecoms — BuddeCommElectricity supply challenges.

Sources

1
Telecommunications in Syria — Wikipedia
Internet speed and connectivity data.
2
Internet censorship in Ba'athist Syria — Wikipedia
Historical context on internet shutdowns and censorship.

TIPS & TIMING

Best Times and Tips for Calling Syria

Timing your call to Syria well can improve connection quality and make conversations more comfortable. Syria uses UTC+3 year-round with no daylight saving time changes.

Time & offsets

Syria Time Zone

UTC+3 (AST)

No daylight saving time

US East Coast → Syria

+7 hours

9 AM ET = 4 PM in Syria

US West Coast → Syria

+10 hours

9 AM PT = 7 PM in Syria

UK → Syria

+2 hours (winter) / +3 hours (summer)

Noon GMT = 3 PM in Syria

Best time for personal calls

5 PM – 9 PM Syria time (10 AM – 2 PM ET)

Best time for business calls

9 AM – 2 PM Syria time (2 AM – 7 AM ET)

Avoid calling

Friday midday (prayer time) and late evening after 10 PM

Ramadan consideration

Avoid calling during iftar time; late evening calls after 9 PM are more welcome

Calling tips

Try Calling in the Evening (Syria Time)
Electricity and network availability tend to be more stable during evening hours in urban areas. Calling between 5–9 PM local time increases the chance your recipient's phone is charged and connected.
Have a Backup Number Ready
Many Syrians use dual SIM phones with both Syriatel and MTN. If one number doesn't connect, try the other — coverage varies by operator and location.
Keep Calls Focused
Phone credit and electricity are expensive in Syria relative to incomes. Being mindful of call length shows consideration for your recipient's resources.
Use the Full International Format
Always dial +963 followed by the area code (dropping the leading zero) and the local number. For mobile numbers, use the operator prefix (e.g., 93, 94, 95) without the leading zero.

Etiquette

Greetings Matter
Begin with a warm greeting — 'As-salamu alaykum' is universally appropriate. Syrians value personal warmth and typically exchange pleasantries before getting to business.
Arabic Is the Business Language
While English and French are spoken in some professional circles, Arabic is the primary language of business in Syria. Having a translator available for complex calls is advisable.
Patience with Connection Delays
Infrastructure challenges mean calls may take a moment to connect or experience brief audio delays. Allow a few extra seconds before speaking and avoid talking over pauses.
Business Hours Are Shifting
The standard Syrian work week runs Sunday through Thursday. Business hours are typically 8 AM to 3 PM, though private sector hours vary and may extend later.

Sources

1
Time in Syria — Wikipedia
Time zone and DST abolishment.

TOP DESTINATIONS

Popular Cities to Call in Syria

Most international calls to Syria are directed to a handful of major cities. Here's a quick reference for each, including area codes and the best times to reach someone.

Damascus

Syria's Capital and Largest City

Damascus is the political, cultural, and economic center of Syria, and the destination for the majority of international calls. The city has the country's most reliable telecom infrastructure, served by both Syriatel and MTN.