Understanding forex trading times EST (Eastern Standard Time) is crucial for traders in the United States and other countries following EST or EDT (Eastern Daylight Time). The forex market operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, across four major trading sessions: Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York. Each session presents unique opportunities based on liquidity, volatility, and overlap.

This article explains the best times to trade forex in EST, outlines session overlaps, and gives tips for optimising your trading hours.

Key Takeaways

• The forex market is open 24/5, with activity segmented into four global sessions.
• EST time zone traders benefit most from the London and New York sessions.
• Overlaps between sessions offer high volatility and trading volume.
• Knowing when each session opens in EST helps traders time their strategies effectively.
• For complete mastery of time-based strategies, consider a structured Forex Course.

Forex Market Opening and Closing Times (EST)

Forex Session	EST Opening Time	EST Closing Time
Sydney	5:00 PM	2:00 AM
Tokyo	7:00 PM	4:00 AM
London	3:00 AM	12:00 PM
New York	8:00 AM	5:00 PM

Note: These times can shift by 1 hour during daylight saving (EDT).

Best Times To Trade Forex in EST

1. London–New York Overlap (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST)

• Most liquid time of day
• High volatility, especially for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY
• Ideal for short-term and day traders

2. Tokyo–London Overlap (3:00 AM – 4:00 AM EST)

• Less liquid but still useful for trading JPY pairs
• Lower spreads than Asia-only hours

3. Avoid Low Activity Hours (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST)

• Post-London close
• Volume and volatility drop significantly
• Better time for reviewing charts and planning trades

Session-Specific Pair Activity

Session	Best Pairs To Trade
Tokyo	USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, AUD/JPY
London	EUR/USD, GBP/USD, EUR/GBP
New York	USD/CAD, USD/CHF, GBP/USD

Case Study: EST Trader Adapting to Session Times

Carlos, a Miami-based part-time trader, focuses on EUR/USD and GBP/USD. By trading during the London–New York overlap (8:00 AM–12:00 PM EST), he captures daily volatility spikes from news releases and institutional flow. He avoids trading during the Sydney session due to slow price action and instead uses it for backtesting and chart analysis.

His strategy is built around EST market timing and consistently delivers favourable risk-reward setups during peak activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does forex open on Sunday EST?

The forex market opens at 5:00 PM EST on Sunday with the Sydney session.

When is the best time to trade forex in EST?

The best time is during the London–New York overlap from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST.

Is forex open 24/7 in EST?

No, forex is open 24 hours a day from Sunday 5:00 PM EST to Friday 5:00 PM EST.

Which forex session has the most volatility in EST?

The London–New York overlap (8 AM – 12 PM EST) has the highest volatility and liquidity.

Should I avoid trading during the Sydney session EST?

If you’re trading major pairs like EUR/USD, yes. The Sydney session (5 PM – 2 AM EST) has lower volume and less movement.