Forex Market Opening Times Explained (Simple Guide)

If you’re new to forex trading — or even if you’ve been at it for a while — knowing exactly when the markets open and close is a huge advantage.

Unlike stock markets, the forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week. But that doesn’t mean it’s always active.

Different times of day bring different levels of volatility, volume, and opportunity.

Here’s a simple guide to help you figure out when you should be paying the most attention.

Forex Market Basics

The forex market is decentralized, meaning it doesn’t have a central exchange like the NYSE or LSE. Instead, trading happens through a network of banks, brokers, and institutions around the world.

Forex trading officially kicks off in Wellington, New Zealand every Monday morning and keeps going non-stop until the New York session closes on Friday evening.

Major Forex Trading Sessions

The forex trading day is divided into four major sessions:

(Times may shift slightly during Daylight Saving Time.)

Best Times to Trade Forex

The best times to trade are when two sessions overlap - that’s when the market is busiest, spreads are tighter, and price movements are more significant.

Key Overlaps to Watch:

• London & New York Overlap:

  • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM GMT

    (This is the busiest and most volatile time to trade.)

• Sydney & Tokyo Overlap:

  • 12:00 AM - 7:00 AM GMT

    (A bit quieter but still good for certain pairs like AUD/JPY.)

If you want more action and faster-moving charts, trade during these overlaps.

When the Forex Market Slows Down

Not all times are great for trading.

Markets tend to be slower during late New York trading (after 8:00 PM GMT) and early Sydney trading (right when it opens).

During these hours, spreads widen, and liquidity drops — making trading riskier.

Why Knowing Forex Sessions Matters

• Better volatility = better trading opportunities

• Lower spreads = cheaper trades

• Strategic planning = smarter risk management

Whether you’re scalping, day trading, or swing trading, timing your trades around the most active sessions can make a big difference.

Want a real-time view of when markets open and close?

Check out ourMarket Countdown- it shows you exactly how long until the next forex session opens.