To provide a public telephone system in which service can be provided using a public telephone by locating the public telephone automatically.

A portable telephone comprises a first transmitting/receiving section of short distance radio communication for detecting an available public telephone, and a first control section for starting service with the public telephone in a short distance radio communication mode through the first transmitting/receiving section of short distance radio communication and performing charging operation by receiving charging information from the public telephone upon finishing the service. The public telephone comprises a second transmitting/receiving section of short distance radio communication for transmitting a response signal upon receiving the detection signal from an accessible portable telephone, and a second control section for starting service with the portable telephone in the short distance radio communication mode through the second transmitting/receiving section of short distance radio communication after the response signal is transmitted and transmitting the charging information to the portable telephone upon finishing the service.