Understanding forex trading market hours is essential for planning trades, maximising liquidity, and aligning your strategy with global market activity. The forex market is unique because it operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, thanks to overlapping trading sessions in major financial centres around the world. This guide explains the structure of forex trading hours, the best times to trade, and how different sessions impact volatility and volume.

What Are Forex Trading Market Hours?

The forex market is open from Sunday 10 PM GMT to Friday 10 PM GMT. During this time, at least one major global financial market is active, allowing for continuous currency trading without interruption. However, not all trading hours are equal in terms of activity and opportunity.

The market is divided into four major sessions:

• Sydney Session
• Tokyo Session
• London Session
• New York Session

These sessions reflect the business hours of key financial centres.

Key Takeaways

• The forex market is open 24/5, starting Sunday night and closing Friday night GMT.
• Liquidity and volatility increase during session overlaps, especially London–New York.
• Each session has unique characteristics influenced by regional economies.
• Trading during peak hours enhances execution and reduces slippage.
• Understanding session timings is crucial for strategy alignment.

Forex Trading Sessions and Hours (GMT)

Session	Open (GMT)	Close (GMT)	Key Markets
Sydney	10 PM	7 AM	AUD, NZD
Tokyo	12 AM	9 AM	JPY, Asian markets
London	8 AM	5 PM	EUR, GBP, CHF
New York	1 PM	10 PM	USD, CAD

Note: During daylight saving time, these hours may shift depending on your location and the local region’s DST adjustments.

Best Times To Trade Forex

1. London–New York Overlap (1 PM – 5 PM GMT)

• Highest trading volume and liquidity
• Major news releases from the US and UK
• Most volatile time for pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY

2. Tokyo–London Overlap (8 AM – 9 AM GMT)

• Transition period with mixed volatility
• Best for trading JPY crosses like EUR/JPY and GBP/JPY

3. Early London Open (7 AM – 9 AM GMT)

• Initial market momentum
• Breakout strategies often perform well

Market Hours by Currency Pair

Currency Pair	Best Time to Trade (GMT)	Reason
EUR/USD	1 PM – 5 PM	London–New York overlap
GBP/USD	8 AM – 5 PM	UK and US market hours
USD/JPY	12 AM – 5 AM, 1 PM – 5 PM	Tokyo and New York activity
AUD/USD	10 PM – 7 AM	Sydney and Tokyo overlap
EUR/JPY	12 AM – 9 AM	Active during Tokyo session

Impact of Trading Sessions on Strategy

Session	Volatility Level	Best Strategy Type
Sydney	Low	Range trading, low-risk setups
Tokyo	Medium	Breakouts, JPY-focused trades
London	High	Trend trading, news trading, breakouts
New York	High	News-based and momentum strategies

Case Study: Timing Strategy With Market Hours

Fatima, a trader in Dubai, struggled with inconsistency due to trading during low-volume hours. After completing a professional trading course, she aligned her EUR/USD and GBP/JPY trades with the London–New York overlap. With higher liquidity and clearer price action, her win rate improved by 18% over two months.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the forex market open?
The forex market is open from Sunday 10 PM GMT to Friday 10 PM GMT, operating continuously across global time zones.

What is the most active forex trading session?
The London–New York overlap (1 PM to 5 PM GMT) is the most active and liquid period in forex trading.

Can I trade forex 24 hours a day?
Yes, the forex market runs 24 hours from Monday to Friday. However, liquidity varies by session.

Does daylight saving time affect forex market hours?
Yes, trading hours may shift in your local timezone due to daylight saving time adjustments in different countries.

Which session is best for trading GBP pairs?
The London session (8 AM to 5 PM GMT) and London–New York overlap are best for trading GBP pairs due to high volume and news flow.

Conclusion

Mastering forex trading market hours gives you a significant edge by helping you trade when volume and volatility are at their peak. Aligning your strategy with session characteristics can improve entry accuracy, reduce slippage, and enhance profitability. To learn how to time your trades like a professional, enrol in our structured Trading Courses and gain a global edge in the forex market.