Last reviewed: 2025-01-07 · Reading time: 5 minutes
How do you dial Bangladesh from Saudi Arabia?
- Country code
+880- Mobile numbers
-
Example:
+880 1712 345678Mobile numbers are 10 digits starting with 1. Common prefixes: 17 (Grameenphone), 18 (Robi), 19 (Banglalink), 16 (Teletalk). Drop the leading 0.
- Landline numbers
-
Example:
+880 2 1234 5678Dhaka area code is 2. Other cities have 2-4 digit codes. Drop the leading 0—dial +880 2, not +880 02.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Keeping the leading 0—dial +880 17, not +880 017
- Confusing the 10-digit mobile format with other countries
- Calling during Bangladeshi prayer times or late at night
When is the best time to call Bangladesh?
Timezone: BST (UTC+6)—Bangladesh Standard Time, 3 hours ahead of Saudi Arabia
Evening calls
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM BST (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Saudi time your time)
Your late afternoon catches their evening. Families are home after work.
Friday calls
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM BST (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM Saudi time your time)
Friday is off in Saudi Arabia. Morning calls catch family at a good time.
What should you know about calling Bangladesh?
Bangladesh has four major carriers: Grameenphone (largest, Telenor-owned),
Robi (Axiata), Banglalink (VEON), and Teletalk (state-owned). Mobile
coverage is good in cities and towns. Rural areas have improved but
can still be patchy in remote regions.
Call quality to Dhaka and major cities is generally good. Rural areas
may have variable quality. Network congestion during peak hours or
holidays can affect connections. If a call fails, try again after
a few minutes.
Cultural tips
Bangladeshis are warm and family-oriented. Calls often include extended
greetings and catching up on family news. Friday is the weekly holiday
in Bangladesh—good for family calls. Respect prayer times and avoid
calling during iftar (breaking fast) during Ramadan.
Holidays to know
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the biggest holidays—both observed in
Saudi Arabia too, making coordination easier. Pohela Boishakh (Bengali
New Year, April 14) is a major cultural celebration. Victory Day
(Dec 16) and Independence Day (Mar 26) are national holidays.
Alternatives to phone calls
IMO is very popular in Bangladesh for video calls—more than WhatsApp
or Facebook in some demographics. WhatsApp is also widely used.
Viber remains popular. Many migrant workers prefer video calls to
see family, especially children.
Frequently asked questions
What's the time difference between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh?
Bangladesh (UTC+6) is 3 hours ahead of Saudi Arabia (UTC+3).
When it's 6:00 PM in Riyadh, it's 9:00 PM in Dhaka.
Neither country observes daylight saving, so this gap is constant
year-round. The 3-hour difference is easy to manage.
What do Bangladeshi mobile prefixes mean?
Grameenphone (GP): 017, 013
Robi/Airtel: 018, 016
Banglalink: 019, 014
Teletalk: 015
All mobile numbers are 10 digits starting with 1. Drop the leading 0
when dialing internationally.
What are the area codes for major Bangladeshi cities?
Dhaka: 2
Chittagong: 31
Khulna: 41
Rajshahi: 721
Sylhet: 821
Rangpur: 521
Barisal: 431
Comilla: 81
Gazipur: 9882
Narayanganj: 2 (same as Dhaka metro)
Landlines are less common—most Bangladeshis use mobile.
Why is IMO popular in Bangladesh?
IMO gained popularity because it works well on slower internet
connections and uses less data than some alternatives. Many
Bangladeshi migrant workers adopted it and their families followed.
It's particularly popular for video calls between Gulf workers and
families back home.
When is Eid calling difficult?
During Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, network congestion in Bangladesh
can make calling difficult—everyone is trying to reach family.
Try calling early morning or late night to avoid peak times. The
days just before Eid are often easier than Eid day itself.
Current rates
$0.10-$0.10/min
Rates vary by mobile vs landline. Billed per minute, rounded up.
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