Voice
How to Call Bahamas
This guide provides helpful tips for calling the Bahamas from the U.S. Learn how to make calls to the Bahamas with confidence.
The Bahamas country code is +1. Use +1 as the international dialing prefix for calls to Bahamas from any country, then dial the bahamian area code without the leading 0 and the local number. The ISO codes are BS and BHS.
BAHAMAS COUNTRY CODE
+1
Dial before any bahamian number from outside Bahamas
What is the country code for Bahamas?
| Quick reference | Detail | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Country Code | +1 | Dial before a bahamian number |
| ISO Code | BS / BHS | Country identifiers |
| International Prefix | +1 | Use for calls into Bahamas |
| Trunk Prefix | 0 | Use only for domestic dialing |
| Number Length | 10 digits after +1 | Area or mobile code plus subscriber number |
| Emergency | 911 | Police, fire, and ambulance |
Good to know: The Bahamas uses area code 242 under the North American Numbering Plan. Dial 1 before the area code when calling from abroad.
For bahamian numbers, the 0 at the start of a domestic area code is the trunk prefix. Keep it for calls inside Bahamas. Remove it when calling from another country.
How to call Bahamas
Use this universal format: exit code, then +1, then area code with the trunk 0 removed, then local number.
- Dial your exit code, or press + on a mobile phone.
- Dial 1 for Bahamas.
- Dial the area code without the leading 0.
- Dial the local subscriber number.
International call flow:
1. Exit code
→
2. +1
→
3. Area code without 0
→
4. Local number
Exit code by country
US and Canada
011
UK and most of Europe
00
Australia
0011
Mobile, any country
+
Bahamian numbers use NANP-style 10-digit dialing with area code 242. No trunk prefix needed.
Dialing format and examples
The +CC format works on any mobile phone. Use +1 242 123 4567 for a Nassau landline and +1 242 234 5678 for a mobile number.
| Origin | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| US/Canada | 011 1 area code local number | 1 242 123 4567 |
| UK | 00 1 area code local number | 00 1 242 123 4567 |
| Australia | 0011 1 area code local number | 01 242 123 4567 |
| Mobile, any country | +1 area code local number | +1 242 123 4567 |
For other dialing guides, see How to call the Netherlands or How to call Germany.
What a Bahamas number looks like
A bahamian phone number in international format has two parts. The country code +1 and the national number.
Landline
+1 | 242 | 1234567
Mobile
+1 | 242 | 2345678
Number format and length
After +1, bahamian numbers contain 10 digits after +1. Landlines and mobile numbers follow the national format.
| Number type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nassau landline | +1 XX XXX XXXX | +1 242 123 4567 |
| Bahamian mobile | +1 XX XXX XXXX | +1 242 234 5678 |
Format a Bahamas number for WhatsApp
For WhatsApp, save the Bahamian number in international format with +1 242. A Bahamian mobile written as 242 345 6789 becomes +1 242 345 6789. You can also save it without spaces as +12423456789.
If your team needs a bahamian number for customer calls or local presence, see Telnyx Phone Numbers for numbers in 140+ countries with instant activation.
Good to know: WhatsApp needs the full international format. Bahamian numbers use +1 242 with no trunk prefix to drop.
Bahamas number formats and emergency numbers
Bahamian numbers follow the national format. From another country, place +1 before the national number.
| City or region | Domestic code | International code |
|---|---|---|
| Nassau | 242 | +1 242 |
| Freeport | 242 | +1 242 |
| West End | 242 | +1 242 |
| Cooper's Town | 242 | +1 242 |
| Marsh Harbour | 242 | +1 242 |
| George Town | 242 | +1 242 |
| Number type | Dialed in Bahamas | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | 911 | Police, fire, ambulance |
| Toll-free | 0800 | Free from bahamian lines, not always reachable from abroad |
| Premium rate | 0900 | Can cost more than standard calls |
| Business numbers | 085 | Non-geographic business lines |
Keep in mind: 911 works inside Bahamas only. If you are outside Bahamas, call the emergency number for your current location. Some service numbers may not accept calls from outside Bahamas.
Cost and best time to call Bahamas
Call cost and timing depend on your carrier, your country, and whether you call a landline, mobile, toll-free, or premium-rate number.
How much does it cost to call Bahamas
For business calling, Telnyx SIP Trunking gives per-minute pricing for calls to bahamian landline and mobile destinations with usage-based pricing and no monthly minimums. Your total cost can change based on call volume, destination type, and fees from your current provider.
| Calling method | Cost pattern | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile carrier | Plan rate or international fee | Personal calls |
| International add-on | Recurring fee plus lower per-minute rates | Repeat callers |
| VoIP or SIP | Per-minute pricing by destination type | Teams and high-volume calling |
Good to know: Ask your provider whether bahamian mobile calls are priced differently from landline calls. They often are.
Time zones and best time to call
The Bahamas follows Eastern Standard Time, UTC-5, and Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-4, during daylight saving. For business calls, aim for 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bahamian time.
| Calling from | Offset from NL | Best call window |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | BS offset varies | 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. UK time |
| US Eastern | BS offset varies | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET |
| US Pacific | BS offset varies | 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. PT |
Good to know: Time differences can shift for short periods because daylight saving dates do not match in every country.
Is calling Bahamas free
Calling Bahamas is not automatically free. It may be free if your mobile or landline plan includes Bahamas calling, if both parties use an app over data, or if a company gives you a reachable local number.
WhatsApp and similar apps do not charge per minute for app-to-app calls, but your internet or roaming plan may charge for data. Business callers can use SIP Trunking with usage-based pricing for the lowest per-minute rates.
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