The 340 area code serves the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), a U.S. territory in the Caribbean Sea. This single area code covers all of the territory’s major islands, including Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas.
If you’ve seen a phone number with a 340 prefix, this guide will explain its location, which islands it covers, and important details about whether calls to this area code are considered international or domestic.
Where is the 340 Area Code Located?
The 340 area code is exclusively assigned to the U.S. Virgin Islands. This beautiful archipelago is located in the Caribbean, to the east of Puerto Rico.
- Territory: United States Virgin Islands (USVI)
- Main Islands: Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas
- Capital City: Charlotte Amalie (located on St. Thomas)
- Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST), which is UTC-4. The USVI does not observe daylight saving time.
Is a Call to the 340 Area Code International or Domestic?
This is the most common question about the 340 area code, and the answer often surprises people.
Because the U.S. Virgin Islands is a United States territory, it is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). As a result, calls from the United States mainland to the 340 area code are considered domestic calls, not international.
For most people with a standard mobile plan that includes nationwide calling, a call to the USVI costs the same as calling another state like Florida or California. There are no extra international charges. However, if you have a limited or non-standard phone plan, it’s always a good practice to confirm with your carrier.
How to Call the U.S. Virgin Islands (Step-by-Step)
Dialing a number in the 340 area code from the United States or Canada is simple and follows the standard domestic long-distance format.
- Dial 1 (the country code for the NANP region, which includes the U.S. and its territories).
- Dial the area code: 340.
- Dial the seven-digit local phone number.
The complete format will look like this: 1 + 340 + XXX-XXXX
Important: You do not need to use an international exit code like 011.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main islands in the 340 area code?
The three main and most populated islands that use the 340 area code are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas.
What time zone is the 340 area code in?
The 340 area code is in the Atlantic Standard Time (AST) zone (UTC-4) year-round. They do not observe daylight saving time, so they are one hour ahead of the U.S. East Coast during the winter (EST) and the same time as the East Coast during the summer (EDT).
Are calls to the 340 area code free?
Not necessarily free, but they are treated as domestic calls from the US. For most people with unlimited nationwide calling plans from carriers like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, there is no extra charge to call the 340 area code.
Is the 340 area code a scam?
No, 340 is the legitimate and official area code for the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, like any valid area code, it can be “spoofed” by scammers who fake their caller ID. You should always be cautious when answering calls from numbers you do not recognize.
Conclusion
In summary, the 340 area code is the telephone identifier for the U.S. Virgin Islands, including the popular destinations of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. A key takeaway is that calls from the U.S. mainland to this Caribbean paradise are considered domestic, making it easy and affordable to stay in touch. Dialing is simple: just 1-340 followed by the seven-digit number.
