What are the opening and closing times of the forex market, and when is the best time to trade?

The Forex Market Is Not Open 24/7; Opening and Closing Times Vary by Continent

Success in forex trading is not based on luck but on understanding market opening times and how to leverage the most active periods. If you open your trading screen, you’ll see many currency pairs, such as USD/JPY, EUR/GBP, AUD/CAD, etc. Each currency has its own opening and closing times based on the geographical location of its country. Knowing this timing is what separates profitable traders from those who trade randomly hoping for luck.

The global forex market opens in the following sequence ( Thailand time ):

Major Forex Market Opening and Closing Times in Thai Time

Australia - The First Signal of the Week

The AUD market opens first in the week from 05:00 to 13:00 ( Thailand time ). The Australian market often features price adjustments after the US and European markets close. This period is ideal for trading AUD because of clear price movements.

Japan - The Busy Asian Market

The JPY market opens from 06:00 to 14:00 ( Thailand time ). Japan’s market is considered the largest and most liquid in Asia. USD/JPY is a currency pair that many traders follow due to Japan’s economic significance.

Switzerland - The European Market Accelerates

The CHF market operates from 14:00 to 22:00 ( Thailand time ). Switzerland is a key financial hub in Europe, so monitoring EUR/CHF is essential for traders during the afternoon to evening.

Europe - The Major Market Not to Miss

The EUR market opens from 14:00 to 23:00 ( Thailand time ). The euro is the second most traded currency after USD, due to the number of eurozone countries and high liquidity.

London - The Golden Hour for GBP

The GBP market operates from 15:00 to 23:00 ( Thailand time ). The British pound is one of the highest-valued currencies per unit in the forex market, thanks to London’s strong financial sector.

America and Canada - The Last Market to Close

The USD and CAD markets operate from 19:00 to 03:00 ( Thailand time ). The US is the largest forex market, with USD being the most traded currency. The US accounts for nearly 90% of all forex trading volume.

Market Overlap - When Profits Are Real

When the opening time of one market overlaps with the closing time of another, the flow of money in both markets becomes most intense. This is the “Overlap” period that traders eagerly await.

The AUD/JPY Overlap from 06:00-13:00

This overlap allows traders to capitalize on price movements between two major Asian markets, as both AUD and JPY are related to regional economic factors.

The EUR/USD Overlap from 19:00-23:00

This is the golden hour of the forex market, when London is about to close and New York just opened. EUR and USD are the most liquid currencies, and price movements during this time are swift with high profit potential. Approximately 70% of total trading volume occurs during this period.

The GBP/USD Overlap from 15:00-23:00

The prolonged overlap of the pound and dollar offers multiple trading opportunities from 15:00 to 23:00, when the pound market closes. Both the early and late parts of this period often see pip movements suitable for planned trading.

The EUR/CHF Overlap from 14:00-22:00

EUR and CHF originate from the same continent, resulting in a strong correlation based on economic factors. This overlap period includes additional central bank announcements, making it ideal for news trading.

Daily News and Events Affecting Forex Prices

While good timing can help reduce risk, economic news is equally important. These factors can instantly change prices:

Factors Affecting Currencies:

• Central bank interest rates – higher rates attract more foreign investment
• GDP figures – reflect economic size and strength
• Employment statistics – indicate labor market health
• Consumption data – show current economic conditions

General Ideas:

• When a country raises interest rates → investors bring money in → currency appreciates
• When GDP and consumption increase → economy strengthens → currency value rises
• Central bank announcements → potential rate or policy changes → impact currencies regardless of other factors

Things to Keep in Mind: Manage Your Time to Suit Your Life

Successful forex trading isn’t just about choosing the right times. You also need to check if these times fit your schedule. If you work in the morning, you might trade EUR or GBP in the evening. If you decide to trade full-time, you’ll have more flexibility.

Understanding the forex market comes from continuous learning, smart time management, and monitoring economic news. There are no shortcuts to sustainable profits, but leveraging the best times and managing risk properly can increase your chances of success.

If you’re a beginner in forex trading, start by studying various techniques and strategies through trusted sources. At the same time, practice trading in demo accounts to better understand the market before risking real money.