Understanding the forex trading opening time is crucial for traders seeking to capitalise on market volatility and global price movements. The forex market operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, with different trading sessions corresponding to the world’s major financial centres. This article explains when the forex market opens, the session overlaps, and which times are best for trading.

What This Article Covers

• Global forex market hours by region
• Best times to trade for high liquidity
• Market session overlaps and volatility
• How daylight saving time affects forex hours
• Real-life trading strategy based on session timing

Key Takeaways

• The forex market opens at 22:00 GMT on Sunday and closes at 22:00 GMT on Friday.
• Major sessions: Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York.
• Highest volatility occurs during session overlaps.
• Time zone differences and daylight saving shifts must be tracked carefully.

Forex Market Opening Times by Session (GMT)

Trading Session	Open Time	Close Time	Key Currencies
Sydney	22:00	07:00	AUD, NZD
Tokyo	00:00	09:00	JPY
London	08:00	17:00	GBP, EUR, CHF
New York	13:00	22:00	USD, CAD

These times can shift slightly due to daylight saving changes, especially in the UK and US.

Forex Market Open and Close Times by Region

Region	Market Open (Local Time)	Market Open (GMT)
Australia	Monday 08:00 AEST	Sunday 22:00 GMT
Japan	Monday 09:00 JST	Sunday 23:00 GMT
UK	Monday 08:00 BST	Monday 07:00 GMT
USA (New York)	Monday 08:00 EST	Monday 13:00 GMT

Best Times to Trade Forex

• London–New York Overlap (13:00–17:00 GMT): Highest trading volume, ideal for major pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD.
• Tokyo–London Overlap (08:00–09:00 GMT): Lower liquidity, but useful for JPY crosses.
• Early Asia (00:00–03:00 GMT): Best for AUD/JPY or NZD/JPY trades with less volatility.

Case Study: Leveraging the London–NY Overlap

Rashid, a forex trader based in Dubai, focuses on trading the GBP/USD and EUR/USD during the London–New York overlap. By setting alerts for economic events at 13:30 GMT, he captures post-news volatility while the market is most liquid. He limits his trades to this 4-hour window, improving risk control and consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the forex market open each week?

The forex market opens at 22:00 GMT on Sunday with the Sydney session and remains open continuously until Friday at 22:00 GMT.

What is the most volatile forex session?

The overlap between the London and New York sessions (13:00–17:00 GMT) is the most volatile due to high participation and volume.

Can I trade forex on weekends?

No, most brokers close access to trading from Friday evening to Sunday evening GMT, except for crypto CFDs and some OTC products.

Do forex trading hours change with daylight saving time?

Yes, forex trading hours shift during DST in the UK and US. Traders should check broker platforms for exact adjustments in spring and autumn.

Where can I learn how to trade forex based on session timing?

You can enrol in a Forex Course that teaches strategies tailored to each market session.

Conclusion

Knowing the forex trading opening time helps traders schedule their activity during peak liquidity and avoid periods of low volatility. Whether you’re an early riser targeting the Asian session or prefer the fast pace of the London–New York overlap, aligning your strategy with market hours is essential for consistent performance.