Best forex trading time refers to the periods during the day when the forex market is most active, liquid, and offers the greatest potential for profitable trades. Since forex operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, knowing when to trade is just as important as knowing how.

This article outlines the optimal trading hours, explains why certain sessions offer more opportunities, and shows how to align your strategy with peak forex activity.

Key Takeaways

• Forex is open 24/5, but not all hours offer the same volatility or liquidity.
• The best forex trading times are during major session overlaps like London/New York.
• Different currency pairs behave differently depending on the trading session.
• Trading during low-volume hours can lead to slippage and false signals.
• Aligning your strategy with the right time can improve results and reduce risk.

Forex Market Sessions

The global forex market operates across four main sessions:

Session	Open (GMT)	Close (GMT)	Major Markets
Sydney	22:00	07:00	AUD, NZD
Tokyo (Asia)	00:00	09:00	JPY, SGD, HKD
London (Europe)	08:00	17:00	GBP, EUR, CHF
New York (US)	13:00	22:00	USD, CAD

Best Time to Trade Forex by Pair

1. EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CHF

• Best time: 13:00–17:00 GMT (London and New York overlap)
• Why: High volume, tight spreads, fast movement

2. USD/JPY

• Best time: 00:00–09:00 GMT (Tokyo session)
• Why: Both USD and JPY are liquid during this window

3. AUD/USD, NZD/USD

• Best time: 22:00–07:00 GMT (Sydney & early Tokyo)
• Why: Strong participation from AUD/NZD economies

4. GBP/JPY, EUR/JPY

• Best time: 07:00–10:00 GMT (London/Tokyo overlap)
• Why: High volatility due to cross-currency activity

5. USD/CAD

• Best time: 13:00–17:00 GMT (New York session)
• Why: Canadian and US economic data often release together

When Not to Trade

• During low-volume hours: 20:00–22:00 GMT
• Before major news releases: Risk of slippage and fake breakouts
• Market open on Sunday (22:00 GMT): Low liquidity, wide spreads
• Market close on Friday (21:00 GMT): Volatile, unpredictable end-of-week price action

Why Timing Matters

• Liquidity: More market participants = better price execution
• Volatility: Active hours provide enough movement for trade setups
• Spread costs: Tight spreads during busy sessions = lower trading costs
• News impact: Major sessions overlap with economic data releases

Case Study: Optimising Timing for Results

A student in our Forex Course initially traded GBP/USD at 03:00 GMT, facing wide spreads and sluggish price action. After learning about session timing, they shifted their trades to the London/New York overlap and saw improved execution, better entries, and consistent trade outcomes — demonstrating that time is a crucial edge in forex.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to trade forex in the UK?

The best time is 08:00 to 17:00 GMT (London session), especially 13:00–17:00 GMT during the London/New York overlap.

Is it good to trade forex at night?

Only if trading Asian pairs like AUD/JPY or USD/JPY. For European or American pairs, liquidity is low at night.

When is the forex market most volatile?

During session overlaps — London/New York (13:00–17:00 GMT) is the most volatile and liquid time.

Can I trade forex 24 hours a day?

Yes, but not all times are optimal. Some periods have thin liquidity and higher spreads.

What is the worst time to trade forex?

Late Friday (after 18:00 GMT), Sunday market open (22:00 GMT), and during bank holidays when liquidity is low.