Directory and Operator Information
To call the operator dial 100

For directory inquiries dial 118 500. Calls are charged at 15p per minute plus 40p connection from landlines. Alternatively 118 500 offers free directory searches online at www.bt.com

For international directory inquiries dial 118 505

International Calls
To make international calls from London use the international access code 00 + the country code + area code + number. The country code is 1 for the United States and Canada, 61 for Australia, and 64 for New Zealand.

For the international operator, credit card, or collect calls dial 118 505.

Public Phones
There are three types of public pay phones - those that accept only coins, those that accept only phone cards, and those that take British Telecom (or BT) phone cards and credit cards.

For coin-only phones, insert coins before dialing (the minimum charge is 20p). Sometimes phones have a "press on answer" (POA) button, which you need to press when the caller answers.

For phone card telephones, you will need to buy a BT phone card from shops, post offices, or news stands. These are ideal for longer calls. They are composed of units of 10p, and come in values of £3, £5, £10 and more. An indicator panel on the phone shows the number of units you've used and at the end of the call the card is returned.