The London forex trading session is typically open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. London time, Monday to Friday. It is also called the European trading session. In 2026, the conversion to New York time changes briefly because the United States and United Kingdom switch between standard time and daylight saving time on different dates.
| Time Zone | London Forex Session |
|---|---|
| London local time | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| New York Eastern Time | Usually 3:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. |
| UTC during UK winter | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| UTC during UK summer | 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
What Time Is the London Session in New York Time?
For most of the year, the London forex session runs from 3:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The time changes to 4:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time during the brief periods when the United States and United Kingdom change their clocks on different dates. In 2026, the United States changes to daylight saving time on March 8 and returns to standard time on November 1. The United Kingdom changes its clocks on March 29 and October 25.
When Does the London-New York Overlap Occur?
The London and New York forex sessions usually overlap from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. New York time.
This is often the busiest part of the forex day because European and North American market participants are active at the same time. The overlap can bring higher liquidity, tighter spreads and larger price movements. It can also increase trading risk, especially around economic announcements.
Is the London Forex Session the Same as London Stock Exchange Hours?
No. The London forex session and the London Stock Exchange trading day follow different schedules:
- Forex London session: approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. London time.
- London Stock Exchange: approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. London time.
Forex trades continuously during the global weekday market. London Stock Exchange shares trade according to the exchange's official market hours and calendar.
When Is the Best Time to Trade the London Session?
For many forex traders, the London-New York overlap is the most active period. Major pairs commonly traded during this window include:
- EUR/USD
- GBP/USD
- USD/CHF
- EUR/GBP
Higher activity does not guarantee profitable trades. Prices can move faster, leverage can increase losses and slippage can occur around economic announcements. Broker platform times may also differ slightly, so check your broker's official market-hours page before placing an order.