Forex Trading Sessions in IST: Sydney, Tokyo, London and New York
The forex market runs 24 hours a day on weekdays, but it is not equally active all the time. It moves through four main sessions. This guide shows the session timings in Indian Standard Time (IST), the overlaps and the currencies that are usually active in each session.
What are forex trading sessions?
Forex is traded through banks and financial centres around the world. As the day moves from Asia to Europe to America, different centres open and close. These time windows are called trading sessions. The four main ones are Sydney, Tokyo, London and New York.
Session timings in IST
| Session | Time in IST | Time in UTC | Main currencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 3:30 AM to 12:30 PM | 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM | AUD, NZD |
| Tokyo | 5:30 AM to 2:30 PM | 12:00 AM to 9:00 AM | JPY, AUD, NZD |
| London | 1:30 PM to 10:30 PM | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | EUR, GBP, CHF |
| New York | 6:30 PM to 3:30 AM | 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM | USD, CAD |
These are standard timings and are approximate. They can move by about one hour during daylight saving changes in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Session overlaps in IST
An overlap is the time when two sessions are open together. Many traders pay attention to overlaps because more market participants are active.
- Sydney and Tokyo: about 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM IST.
- Tokyo and London: about 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM IST, a short overlap.
- London and New York: about 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM IST, usually the most active part of the day.
The four sessions in detail
Sydney session
Usually 3:30 AM to 12:30 PM IST. It is the first session of the trading day. The Australian and New Zealand dollars are the main currencies. Pairs often followed: AUD/USD, NZD/USD, AUD/JPY and NZD/JPY.
Tokyo session
Usually 5:30 AM to 2:30 PM IST. The Japanese yen is the main currency, together with the Australian and New Zealand dollars. Pairs often followed: USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, AUD/USD and AUD/JPY.
London session
Usually 1:30 PM to 10:30 PM IST. London is the biggest forex centre. The euro, British pound and Swiss franc are the main currencies. Pairs often followed: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, EUR/GBP and GBP/JPY.
New York session
Usually 6:30 PM to 3:30 AM IST. The US dollar and Canadian dollar are the main currencies. Pairs often followed: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CAD and USD/JPY. Important US economic news is often released in this session.
How can traders use session timings?
- Match the pair with the session when its currencies are active.
- Know when your session starts and ends so you are not surprised by a quiet market.
- Be careful around session opens and overlaps, because price can move fast.
- Note the session in your trading journal and check later which one suits you best.
When is the forex market closed?
The market is closed on weekends. It usually closes late on Friday, around 3:30 AM IST on Saturday, and reopens early on Monday morning IST with the Sydney session. The exact time can change by one hour with daylight saving.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the London session open in India?
The London session is usually open from about 1:30 PM to 10:30 PM IST. The time can move by one hour when the United Kingdom changes its clocks for daylight saving.
What time does the New York session open in India?
The New York session is usually open from about 6:30 PM IST to 3:30 AM IST the next day. The time can move by one hour when the United States changes its clocks.
What is the London and New York overlap in IST?
The overlap is usually from about 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM IST. Many traders watch this period because both big financial centres are open and trading activity is usually higher.
Is there one best forex session?
No. Each session has different active currencies. Higher activity can give more movement, but it can also mean more risk. Choose a session and pairs that fit your own plan. This is general education and not financial advice.
Is the forex market open on weekends?
No. The forex market is closed on weekends. It usually closes late on Friday in New York time and reopens with the Sydney session early on Monday morning IST.
Why do session timings change during the year?
The United States, the United Kingdom and Australia change their clocks for daylight saving at different dates. India does not use daylight saving, so IST stays fixed and the session times in IST can shift by about one hour.
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