The Best Times to Make International Calls (And Why It Matters)

Calling someone at the right time can make or break your conversation. Get it wrong, and you'll get voicemail or an annoyed person. Get it right, and you'll have their full attention. Here's when to call and why.

Why Timing Matters

Think about it: when someone calls you at 6 AM, how do you feel? Probably not great. Same goes for international calls. The person on the other end has a life, a schedule, and probably a preference for when they want to talk.

Good timing shows respect. It shows you've thought about their situation, not just yours. And when people feel respected, they're more likely to:

• Actually answer the phone
• Be engaged and focused during the call
• Remember the conversation positively
• Want to talk to you again

Bad timing does the opposite. Call at the wrong time, and you're just another interruption they have to deal with.

Business Hours Are Key

For business calls, this is non-negotiable: call during their business hours. Not yours—theirs. If you're calling a client in London from New York, their 2 PM is your 9 AM. That works. Your 2 PM is their 7 PM. That doesn't.

Most business hours are 9 AM to 5 PM local time, Monday through Friday. But here's the thing: not everyone works those exact hours. Some people start early, some work late. Some take long lunches. The safest bet is the middle of their day—10 AM to 3 PM their time.

Time Zone Sweet Spots

Some time zone combinations work better than others:

US to Europe: Your morning (8-11 AM EST) is their afternoon (1-4 PM GMT). Perfect. They're past lunch, fully caffeinated, and ready to work.

US to Asia: Your evening (6-9 PM EST) is their morning (7-10 AM next day in Tokyo). Also good. They're starting their day fresh.

Europe to Asia: Your morning (9-11 AM GMT) is their afternoon (5-7 PM in Tokyo). Works, but they might be winding down.

The key is finding the overlap where both of you are in reasonable business hours. If that's not possible, pick the time that's better for them. They're the one you're calling, after all.

Times to Avoid

Some times are just bad. Here's when not to call:

Early Morning (Before 9 AM)

Unless you know they're an early riser, don't call before 9 AM. People are still waking up, getting ready, or commuting. They're not in "work mode" yet, and you're interrupting their routine.

The only exception: if it's urgent and you've texted first. Even then, apologize for the early call.

Late Evening (After 7 PM)

After 7 PM, most people are done with work. They're having dinner, spending time with family, or relaxing. A work call is the last thing they want.

Again, exceptions exist. If you know they work late or you've scheduled it, fine. But don't assume. When in doubt, don't call.

Weekends and Holidays

Unless it's truly urgent or you've explicitly scheduled it, don't call on weekends or holidays. People value their time off, and a work call on a Saturday feels like an invasion.

Different countries have different holidays too. What's a normal Tuesday for you might be a national holiday for them. Check before you call.

Pro Tips for Better Timing

Here's how to get timing right every time:

Ask when they prefer: The simplest solution. "What time works best for you?" Let them tell you, then work around it.

Send a calendar invite: Calendar systems automatically convert times to each person's time zone. They see it in their time, you see it in yours. No confusion.

Confirm the day before: Send a quick message: "Just confirming our call tomorrow at 2 PM your time." Gives them a chance to correct you or reschedule.

Use time zone tools: Bookmark a time zone converter. When someone says "call me at 2 PM," you can instantly check what time that is for you.

Consider their culture: In some cultures, lunch breaks are sacred. In others, people work late. Do a quick search on business culture in their country if you're not sure.

Be flexible: Sometimes the time difference means someone has to take a call at an inconvenient time. If it's you, be gracious. If it's them, acknowledge it and keep it short.

Set reminders: With time zones, it's easy to forget or miscalculate. Set multiple reminders—one the day before, one an hour before. Better safe than sorry.

Bottom line: Good timing isn't about convenience—it's about respect. When you call at the right time, you're showing that you value their time and their situation. That's how you build better relationships, one call at a time.