Understanding the forex trading time zone is essential for successful trading, as the foreign exchange market operates 24 hours a day, five days a week across major global financial centres. Traders can take advantage of different time zone overlaps and market sessions to optimise their strategies for volatility, liquidity, and news events.

Key Takeaways

• The forex market runs continuously from Sunday 10pm (UK time) to Friday 10pm (UK time).
• There are four major trading sessions: Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York.
• The most volatile periods are during session overlaps, especially London–New York.
• UK traders benefit from being in the London session—the world’s largest forex market.
• Adapting your strategy to your time zone can enhance trading efficiency.

Forex Trading Sessions in UK Time (GMT/BST)

Session	Open (UK Time)	Close (UK Time)	Best Currency Pairs
Sydney	10:00pm	7:00am	AUD/USD, NZD/USD
Tokyo	12:00am	9:00am	USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY
London	8:00am	5:00pm	GBP/USD, EUR/USD, EUR/GBP, GBP/JPY
New York	1:00pm	10:00pm	EUR/USD, USD/CHF, GBP/USD, USD/JPY

Note: Times may vary slightly during daylight saving changes.

Best Time Zone for Forex Trading in the UK

UK-based traders are uniquely positioned to capitalise on the London session and the London–New York overlap. This overlap (1:00pm to 5:00pm UK time) is the most active trading period, offering the best liquidity and the strongest price moves, especially on major pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD.

Why Time Zone Matters in Forex

• Liquidity: Higher during overlaps, especially London–New York.
• Volatility: Currency pairs react strongly to news releases, which are time-sensitive.
• Spreads: Tightest during high liquidity periods; wider during off-hours.
• News Releases: Align trading with economic calendars based on session times.

Session Overlap Opportunities

Overlap	Time (UK)	Why It Matters
London – New York	1:00pm–5:00pm	Highest liquidity and volatility, ideal for intraday trades
Tokyo – London	8:00am–9:00am	Light volatility, early moves on GBP/JPY and EUR/JPY
Sydney – Tokyo	12:00am–7:00am	Active for AUD and JPY, but with lower volume

Case Study: Adjusting Strategy to Time Zones

James, a part-time trader from Birmingham, initially struggled with poor trade entries during late evening hours. By shifting his trading hours to the London–New York overlap (1pm–4pm), he found more reliable volatility and clearer price action on GBP/USD and EUR/USD. This minor adjustment significantly improved his win rate and consistency.

Want to Trade Time Zones More Effectively?

To master forex trading across global time zones, proper training is essential. Trading Courses equip traders with strategies tailored to session volatility, timing entries and exits based on market rhythm, and managing risk during global news events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does forex trading start in the UK?
The forex market opens in the UK at 10pm Sunday with the Sydney session.

When is the best time to trade forex in the UK?
The London–New York session overlap (1pm–5pm) offers the best trading conditions.

Can I trade forex at night in the UK?
Yes, but night hours (10pm–6am) are less volatile. Pairs like AUD/USD or USD/JPY may be more active.

Do forex market hours change with daylight saving?
Yes, session open and close times can shift by an hour depending on GMT/BST or global DST changes.

Is the London session the most important in forex?
Yes, it accounts for over 35% of daily forex volume, making it highly influential.