In central London you will see the iconic red telephone boxes but elsewhere they have been replaced with glass boxes. The newer glass telephone boxes usually have advertising on all sides so you will still have privacy when making a call.
Payphones in central London often accept credit card payments but may charge a higher rate.
There are different types of payphone available in London. Most are run by BT (British Telecom) but there are some other companies too.- Standard payphone: Make telephone calls to landlines and mobile phones.
- Text and email payphone: Make telephone calls, send text messages to mobile phones and emails.
- Internet kiosks: Make telephone calls, send text messages, and access to Internet services.
- Text direct: Allows a caller to send a message to another text phone by using the keypad or dictating a message via an operator.
How To Use a UK Payphone
- Lift the receiver and wait for dial tone (continuous tone).
- Pay: Insert phonecard in slot, or deposit coins (10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2). See the UK Currency Photographs to familiarize yourself with the coins.
- Dial the number, including international codes if necessary, and wait to be connected.
- While you are on your call you can see the display to check how much credit you have left. If you hear a rapid beeping noise it means you need to deposit more money, or insert another phonecard.
- If you have credit left and want to make another call, do not replace the receiver - press the 'follow-on call' button.
- If you have finished your calls and have credit left, replace the receiver and whole coins should be returned. This doesn't always happen so I would recommend talking that bit longer and using all your credit.
Find out the costs to use a BT payphone.
