Calling Europe from abroad - does it have to cost this much?

[Anonymous]

I am hoping that someone has a solution to the cost of calling abroad (mainly Europe) from my iPhone on O2 UK? This month I have made only two calls - a one minute call to France and a two minute call to Germany (both landlines) - and it has charged around £5. Last month a 9 minute call to Berlin cost about £14. 

I have read posts that said TuGo will not save me any money on international calls and I had not heard of it until now. Does anyone have an app or redirect number or something that they use? I am going to have to be making a lot more of these calls (but to various numbers, so the current O2 bolt ons don't help). 

Thank you in advance. 

First time poster. 

[Anonymous]

@Anonymous This could be the O2 Travel daily charge of £1.99 or to different parts of Europe 

Here is my guide to help you 

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Other-Products-Services/Your-guide-to-o2-travel/m-p/1011720/highlight/true#M22584

[MI5]

International favourites is the only option you have for calling abroad from the UK https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/international/calling-international-numbers/

[gmarkj · Accepted solution]

If I read this correctly, you are calling France/Germany while you are in the UK still, so that charges are for calling an international number.
Assuming you have reasonable WiFi at home (or where you are calling from) it makes sense to use an app to make the calls - something like Skype for instance. If (and it is a big if) the person you are calling has Skype then you can voice or video call for free.
If you are not on WiFi, but have a data allowance then you might be able to make a Skype call but it would be dependant on your signal level and type.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all - apologies for the error in the subject. I am calling Europe from UK. 

Will try and see if I can find something to call a phone number on wifi, or if Skype has that option. Probably too much to ask that O2 reduce their ridiculous rates. 

Being charged £2 to call and reserve a table for dinner in Paris is somewhat excessive imo. 

[Anonymous]

@Anonymous have you tried using WhatsApp 

[MI5]

You will need a Skype subscription to call normal phone lines from the Skype app - it's unlikely that many of your intended contacts will have Skype app facility (considering that you mentioned calling restaurants etc).
You would, in my opinion, be better off with an international calling card option or something like World Chat http://www.o2.co.uk/apps/world-chat