The forex trading market is unique in its 24-hour operation, running five days a week without interruption. Understanding the market open times is crucial for traders aiming to take advantage of high liquidity, volatility, and strategic entry points. Knowing when each major global session opens can dramatically improve your timing and overall trading success.

Key Takeaways

• Forex is open 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday
• The market opens with the Sydney session and closes with the New York session
• Peak trading times occur during session overlaps (London/New York)
• Timing your trades based on session volatility improves outcomes
• Session awareness helps in planning news-based strategies

Forex Market Opening and Closing Times (UK Time)

Session	Opens (UK Time)	Closes (UK Time)
Sydney	10:00 PM	7:00 AM
Tokyo	12:00 AM	9:00 AM
London	8:00 AM	5:00 PM
New York	1:00 PM	10:00 PM

Note: These times may shift during daylight saving time.

Best Time To Trade Forex

1. London/New York Overlap (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM UK Time)

• Highest volume and volatility
• Ideal for major pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY

2. Tokyo/London Overlap (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM UK Time)

• Moderate liquidity
• Popular for pairs like GBP/JPY and EUR/JPY

3. Avoiding Low-Volume Periods

• Between 10:00 PM and 12:00 AM UK time, markets are often quiet
• Best to avoid scalping or aggressive trades during these hours

Case Study: Timing Matters in Forex Success

As part of our CPD Accredited Mini MBA in Applied Professional Forex Trading, students are taught to match currency pairs to their respective sessions. A student trading GBP/USD saw improved consistency after restricting trades to the London/New York overlap. This timing aligned with the highest liquidity and slippage-free execution — improving their win rate by over 20 percent within 30 days.

Session Overlaps vs Solo Sessions

Factor	Overlap Sessions	Solo Sessions
Liquidity	High	Moderate to low
Volatility	High (good for breakouts)	Low (good for range strategies)
Spread Cost	Tighter	Wider
Best For	Intraday, news-based strategies	Scalping, quiet market setups

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the forex market open in the UK?

The forex market opens in the UK at 10:00 PM on Sunday night with the Sydney session.

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

The London/New York overlap (1:00 PM to 5:00 PM UK time) is the most active and profitable period for forex trading.

Is the forex market open 24 hours a day?

Yes, it operates continuously from Sunday night to Friday night, across global time zones.

Does forex trading close on weekends?

Yes, the forex market closes at 10:00 PM UK time on Friday and reopens at 10:00 PM Sunday.

Where can I learn how to trade based on market sessions?

Our Trading Courses teach session-based strategies, volatility planning, and institutional timing.