International Calling
Talk to loved ones in Yemen for just 44¢ per minute. Crystal-clear connections over real phone lines—no downloads, no hidden fees.
Yemen
Country code +967
$0.44
Landline
$0.51
Mobile
~60%
vs retail*
Average call quality
*Illustrative savings vs 2.5× directory rate — not a carrier quote.
Simple steps
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220
min / month
~$21.56/min
~$16.28/min
~$9.68/min
~$2.20/min
$0.440/min
Annual saving vs. AT&T
Based on 220 min/month
GETTING STARTED
Calling Yemen doesn't require any special software or calling card. Open your browser, enter the number, and you're connected in seconds.
Instant access
Visit Sayfone from any web browser on your phone, tablet, or computer. No app installation or sign-up required to get started.
Dialer
+00 000 000 00
Enter the full international number starting with +967 followed by the area code and local number. Our dialing guide below can help you format it correctly.
HD audio from your browser
Your call connects through real phone lines at 44¢/min. Enjoy clear audio quality with transparent per-minute billing and no surprise charges.
UNDERSTANDING COSTS
Yemen has some of the highest international calling costs in the Middle East. Several structural factors drive up the price of connecting a call to Yemeni phone networks.
Understanding these cost drivers helps explain why traditional carrier rates to Yemen can be so steep — and why browser-based alternatives offer meaningful savings.
Yemen's conflict has caused an estimated $4.1 billion in direct losses to the telecom sector. Telecommunications towers, fibre-optic cables, and switching equipment have been directly targeted and destroyed, reducing available routing capacity and driving up interconnect costs for international calls.
Yemen relies heavily on a single submarine cable for the majority of its international connectivity. Over 25% of the country's telecom infrastructure has been irreversibly impaired, leaving international connections dependent on only a few inadequate gateways — a bottleneck that inflates termination costs.
The telecom sector is split between competing authorities in Sana'a and Aden, each operating separate regulatory frameworks. This institutional fragmentation creates duplicate licensing bodies, inconsistent spectrum management, and higher operational costs for carriers — all of which get passed along as higher international calling rates.
Most mobile services in Yemen still operate on GSM and 3G networks, with only limited LTE availability in Aden and Sana'a. The lack of modern network infrastructure means higher maintenance costs and less efficient call routing, contributing to elevated international termination fees.
Sources
Supports claims about conflict-driven infrastructure damage and telecom losses
Supports claims about outdated networks and fragmented regulation
Supports claims about infrastructure impairment and regulatory challenges
Official numbering plan reference
CALLING OPTIONS
Reaching someone in Yemen can be challenging due to infrastructure and connectivity issues. Here's how the most common calling methods compare.
Traditional Carrier (US Carriers)
Major US carriers charge very high per-minute rates to Yemen. Some carriers don't include Yemen in their international bundles at all, making it one of the most expensive destinations to reach via a standard phone plan.
International Calling Cards
Prepaid calling cards were once a popular way to call Yemen, particularly among diaspora communities. However, connection fees, rounding charges, and expiration policies erode actual value significantly.
WhatsApp / Messaging Apps
WhatsApp and similar apps have faced repeated blocking and disruptions in Yemen. Internet traffic passes through a single state-controlled ISP (YemenNet), and messaging platforms have been periodically shut down, making app-based calling unreliable for reaching people inside the country.
Sayfone (Browser-Based)
Sayfone connects through real phone lines to Yemeni landlines and mobiles, bypassing internet-dependent pathways inside Yemen. No app download required — call from any browser with transparent per-minute billing.
Bar lengths reflect relative cost tiers for each option — not survey percentages.
CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGES
Yemen's unique internet landscape makes app-based calling to the country exceptionally unreliable. Understanding these challenges explains why direct phone-line calling remains the most dependable option.
Unlike WhatsApp and other internet-dependent apps, Sayfone routes your call through traditional telephone infrastructure. Your call terminates on Yemeni phone networks directly — no internet connection needed on the receiving end.
The problem
WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and other platforms have been repeatedly blocked in Yemen. All internet traffic passes through YemenNet, the sole state-controlled ISP, which has been used to impose censorship and shut down messaging platforms during periods of conflict.
Yemen has been ranked as having the lowest average internet connection speed among qualifying countries. With most mobile networks still on 2G or 3G, and limited LTE availability, VoIP calls frequently drop, lag, or fail to connect entirely.
Yemen relies primarily on one submarine cable for roughly 80% of its internet capacity. When that cable is damaged or disrupted — as has happened multiple times — the country faces near-total internet blackouts that make any internet-based calling impossible.
When messaging apps are blocked, Yemenis often need VPNs to access them. However, only about 20% of internet users know how to use a VPN effectively, and VPN use further slows already limited bandwidth — making voice calls over apps even less reliable.
Sources
Supports claims about WhatsApp blocking and internet shutdowns
Supports WhatsApp blocking claims
TIPS & TIMING
Yemen operates on Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3) year-round with no daylight saving changes. Planning your calls around time zones and local customs can help ensure you connect successfully.
Yemen Time Zone
UTC+3 (AST)
No daylight saving time
US East Coast → Yemen
+8 hours (EST) / +7 hours (EDT)
10 AM New York = 6 PM Sana'a
US West Coast → Yemen
+11 hours (PST) / +10 hours (PDT)
7 AM Los Angeles = 6 PM Sana'a
UK → Yemen
+3 hours (GMT) / +2 hours (BST)
3 PM London = 6 PM Sana'a
Be Patient with Connections
Due to damaged infrastructure, calls to Yemen may take a few extra seconds to connect. If a call doesn't go through on the first try, wait a moment and try again — network congestion is common.
Try Different Times of Day
Network congestion in Yemen tends to peak during evenings. If you experience poor quality, try calling during morning hours (Yemen time) when network traffic is lighter.
Have the Full Number Ready
Always dial the complete international format: +967 followed by the area code and local number. Dropping the leading zero from the local number is essential when dialing from abroad.
Keep Calls Focused
Given the challenging telecom environment, many Yemenis prefer shorter, more frequent calls. Having your key topics ready helps make the most of each connection.
Greetings Matter
Begin calls with a warm greeting — 'As-salamu alaykum' (peace be upon you) is standard. Allow time for pleasantries before discussing business; building rapport is culturally important in Yemen.
Business Days Are Sunday to Thursday
The Yemeni business week runs Sunday through Thursday. Friday is the primary day of rest, and Saturday is often a half-day. Schedule business calls accordingly.
Respect Religious Observances
Be mindful of the five daily prayer times and the month of Ramadan. Avoid scheduling calls during prayer hours, and during Ramadan, late evening (after Iftar) tends to be the most receptive time.
Arabic Is the Primary Language
While some business contacts may speak English, Arabic is the dominant language. Having key phrases or a translator available shows respect and improves communication.
Sources
Confirms AST / UTC+3 with no DST
POPULAR DESTINATIONS
Whether you're calling family in Sana'a or reaching business contacts in Aden, here are the most commonly called cities in Yemen and what you need to know about each.
Sana'a
Sana'a is home to the majority of international calls to Yemen. Its Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with distinctive tower houses. The city serves as the de facto administrative center and has the largest concentration of telecom infrastructure.
Best time to call: 6 PM – 9 PM Yemen time (UTC+3)
Photo brief: Unsplash Sana'a Yemen old city tower houses
Aden
Aden serves as the seat of the internationally recognized government and is Yemen's second major city. It has a separate telecom environment with newer LTE infrastructure through AdenNet, making connections slightly more reliable.
Best time to call: 6 PM – 9 PM Yemen time (UTC+3)
Photo brief: Pexels Aden Yemen harbor port city
Taiz
Taiz is Yemen's third-largest city and an important cultural and economic center. The city has experienced significant conflict-related disruption, and phone connections can be more inconsistent. Persistence with call attempts may be needed.
Best time to call: 9 AM – 12 PM or 6 PM – 8 PM Yemen time
Photo brief: Unsplash Taiz Yemen cityscape mountains
Hodeidah
Hodeidah is a strategically important port city on the Red Sea coast. It hosts one of Yemen's submarine cable landing stations. Despite conflict damage, it remains a key communication hub for western Yemen.
Best time to call: 9 AM – 12 PM Yemen time (UTC+3)
Photo brief: Unsplash Hodeidah Yemen Red Sea coast
Ibb
Known for its relatively lush climate and agricultural surroundings, Ibb is one of Yemen's most populated cities. Mobile coverage is present but can be inconsistent in surrounding rural areas, where community wireless networks provide supplemental access.
Best time to call: 6 PM – 9 PM Yemen time (UTC+3)
Photo brief: Unsplash Ibb Yemen green landscape
DIALING GUIDE
Yemen uses the country code +967. Landline numbers include a 1–2 digit area code plus a local number, for a total of 7–8 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers are 9 digits long.
When dialing from abroad, always drop the leading zero from the local number. Use the format +967 followed by the area or mobile code and subscriber number.
+967 7X XXX XXXX
+967 [area code] [local number]
| City / region | Code |
|---|---|
| Sana'a | 1 |
| Aden | 2 |
| Hodeidah | 3 |
| Taiz | 4 |
| Ibb | 4 |
| Hadhramout (Mukalla) | 5 |
| Ma'areb | 6 |
| Amran | 7 |
| Sa'adah | 7 |
Sources
Official ITU numbering plan for Yemen
General numbering plan reference
COMMON QUESTIONS
Answers to the most common questions about calling Yemen — from dialing formats and rates to connectivity challenges and the best ways to reach family and contacts there.
Have a question not covered here? Our support team can help.
Contact SupportEXPLORE MORE
Sayfone offers competitive international calling rates to destinations worldwide. Explore rates for other popular countries.
Ready to Call?
Connect with family, friends, and contacts in Yemen at just 44¢/min. No app to install, no account required. Open your browser and start talking.
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