How to Use a Pay Phone: Everything You Need to Know

You're about to call your friend, but you discover that your battery is dead. What do you do? Start at Step 1 to rediscover the (almost) lost art of using a pay phone!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing

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1
Carry enough coins for a phone call. Some pay phones, especially those in airports and train stations, also accept credit cards, but the charges for these can be higher than phones which only accept coins. Make sure you read the cost on the machine before paying.
2
Buy a small pack of wet wipes and gently wipe over the phone. You don't know who has used it before you. Cleaning the phone before you use it can reduce your chances of being infected by any bacteria, viruses or other pathogens lingering on the surface.
- With COVID-19 remaining a global health threat, it is recommended to take extra precautions at this time to prevent the spread of the virus to yourself and others around you. Have a bottle of hand sanitizer with you and use some before you touch the phone. You can also wipe down the handle of a phone box if you wish.
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3
Inspect the phone for damage. Unfortunately, pay phones are prone to vandalism on top of general wear and tear, so before you make the call, make sure the wires of the phone are not damaged or broken.
4
If you have a bag or purse, place it on the metal shelf. Most phone boxes have these so you don't need to place your bag on the dirty floor.
5
Check the prices. Some calls (like international ones) cost more than regular calls.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Calling

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The cost of calls from pay phones can depend on several factors, including the location of the person you want to call and how much time you wish to use the phone for.
(If you wish, you can wipe the buttons with wet wipes first.)
4
Wait for the connection. Some calls do take a while to get through.
5
When the other person answers, say hello and tell them you can't talk long because you're using a pay phone. (Remember, you have restricted time.)
- Try not to talk for too long if you are using a pay phone in a busy area. There may be other people nearby who urgently need to make a call.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

After the Call

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2
Make sure you haven't forgotten anything.

Community Q&A

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Question
What coins do I use?
Community Answer
Every machine is different. Most that I have encountered use dimes or quarters. Remember, most require exact change.
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Question
What does the coin return lever do?
Community Answer
It's like the coin slot in vending machines. It returns your coin should the machine fail to operate properly.
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Question
I’m visiting London and the “call home” rule applies.do I need a international phone card?
Amanda Cousins
Community Answer
Check with your phone carrier about a international phone card to put in the public phone.
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Consider calling collect if you don't have money on you.
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Warnings

Never, under any circumstances, use a public pay phone to make hoax calls to emergency services, crisis hotlines, or any other organization designed to help and protect people. Also, never make any call that can be considered abusive, threatening or harassing by the recipient. Police forces can easily find the location of the phone, and many pay phones are covered by CCTV surveillance, so you can and will be tracked down. Such abuse of pay phones can lead to large fines or even jail time.
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Do not vandalize pay phones. Not only will you be cutting off a potential life line for others, you're bound to be caught and penalized by police forces with an increasing number of pay phones being covered by CCTV to prevent abuse.
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