Make a call or send a text when travelling
Make phone calls and send texts to numbers in different locations while travelling in the US and other international destinations
How to place calls when travelling
While travelling, it is important to know the dialing patterns of the country you are visiting as it may vary from the way you dial in Canada.
Important considerations
To call outside the country that you are visiting, you must dial the proper exit code. The “+” symbol in front of the country code will allow calls to successfully complete to the dialed party. To obtain the “+” symbol, press and hold the “0” key on your keypad.
You should research the applicable country code for the destinations you will be travelling and calling/texting to online so you can understand which country code to use when referring to the instructions below.
Required Dialing Patterns while Travelling
Location | How to dial |
|---|---|
Calling a phone number within the visited country Example: France to France Note: These types of calls are included in the Easy Roam daily fee. | Dial the Phone number Example: 802701239 Calls within the same country do not require an exit code (+) or country code. |
Calling a phone number in Canada while travelling Example: France to Canada Note: These types of calls are included in the Easy Roam daily fee. | Dial “+” Country Code + Phone number. Press and hold the “0” key to obtain the “+” sign Example: + 39 06701239 |
Calling a phone number outside of the travelled country Example: France to Italy Note: These types of calls are not included in the Easy Roam daily fee and will be charged the roaming pay-per-use rate for the country you’re calling from. | Dial “+” Country Code + Phone number. Press and hold the “0” key to obtain the “+” sign Example: + 39 06701239 |
Calling a Toll Free number outside of Canada Example: US to US Roaming pay-per-use rates apply if calling North American toll free numbers from outside North America | Dial “+” Country Code + Phone number Press and hold the “0” key to obtain the “+” sign Example: +1 8665582273 |
Calling Special Numbers Special numbers retain their dialing pattern Note: Dialing 411 and 511 will be charged the roaming pay-per-use rate for the country you are calling from. | Dial: 411, 511, *611, 911 |
Note: Some toll-free numbers may not work while travelling, especially if you are calling North American toll-free numbers from outside North America.
Send a text message while outside Canada
Location | Texting instructions |
|---|---|
Within the country you’re visiting. Example: Mexico to Mexico Within the country you’re visiting. Example: Mexico to Mexico | 1. Create a new message 2. In the To field, enter the local destination number. The exit code (+) and country code are not necessary 3. Send the message |
From the country you’re visiting to Canada or the US | 1. Create a new message 2. In the To field, type +1 followed by the ten-digit phone number 3. Send the message Press and hold the “0” key to obtain the “+” sign |
From the country you’re visiting to another country (not Canada or the US) Note: Messages to these mobile numbers are also included in the Easy Roam daily fee, just like the scenarios above. | 1. Create a new message 2. In the To field, type the + sign, followed by the country code, followed by the area code (if applicable), and then the local phone number 3. Send the message Press and hold the “0” key to obtain the “+” sign |
Note: As iMessage uses data, it is not considered text messaging. Data usage with instant messaging like iMessage will use whatever data you’re using for travel:
Easy Roam will deduct from your monthly rate plan data
Roaming passes will use the data included in the pass
If no data is included in your roaming pass or if you don’t have any travel coverage, then roaming data pay-per-use rates will apply. Visit __
__ to see the rates and options for your travel destination.
Access your voicemail while travelling
Using voicemail and applicable charges
If you are using your TELUS mobile device, in most cases you will be able to access your voicemail as usual. Voicemail is treated like any other call while roaming, and the following charges will apply:
Easy Roam
: Will not use your monthly rate plan's minutes, but will activate the daily Easy Roam fee if you haven't done so already.
Roaming Passes
: Will deduct from the minutes included in the pass and billed as per the overage rates for the pass if the included minutes are exceeded.
Pay-per-use
: If you do not have any travel coverage for you plan, calls to voicemail will be subject to the roaming pay-per-use rate for the country you’re calling from.
If you’re not able to access your voicemail from your TELUS mobile device, or if you are calling from a landline: 1. Dial +1-647-637-7243 (to type +, press and hold zero) 2. Follow the prompts
Setup your voicemail before you leave
Ensure that you have set up your voicemail before leaving Canada, as you will not be able to do so while travelling. To set up your voicemail, try one of the following:
From your TELUS mobile device, call your own 10-digit number and follow the prompts
From your TELUS mobile device, speed dial 1 and follow the prompts
Voicemail notifications may not always work
In some travel destinations, the voicemail notification on your device may not be available when someone leaves you a message in your voicemail.
Call forwarding while travelling
Call forwarding services may not be available while travelling abroad
Calls can only be forwarded to North American phone numbers, i.e. numbers with County Codes of +1. You cannot forward calls to international phone numbers, i.e. numbers with Country Codes other than +1.
For more information about call forwarding, view the support article: Call forwarding on your mobile device.
Contact TELUS while roaming
Option | Steps |
|---|---|
Call TELUS Support | From your mobile device: Dial *611 (free call - 24/7/365) Any Phone: +1 416 940 5995 Charges may apply if dialing from a non-TELUS mobile phone number |
Chat with TELUS | Chat with an agent from a computer: telus.com/business/support |
Emergency Contacts while traveling
If you require emergency assistance while traveling (Example: Natural disaster, political unrest), Government of Canada has provided the following contact information:
Option | Steps |
|---|---|
In Person | Visit the nearest Embassy or Consulate in visiting country Note: Only open during business hours |
By Phone & Email | Contact Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa (24 hrs) Email: sos@international.gc.ca Phone: +1-613-996-8885 Note: Collect calls accepted from anywhere in the world |
Web access to your account | Visit telus.com/mytelus on a mobile device or computer |