When Is the Best Time to Start Trading? Here’s What Every Trader Should Know

Trading is not just about what you trade—but also when. Many beginner traders overlook the importance of timing and end up trading at random hours, often resulting in inconsistent performance, slippage, or even unnecessary losses.

So, when is the best time to start trading, and how can you align your strategy with the market’s natural rhythm? Let’s dive in.

Why Trading Time Matters

Financial markets are driven by volume, volatility, and liquidity—and all of these change depending on the time of day. Picking the wrong time could mean:

• Slow price movement
  
  

• High spreads and slippage
  
  

• Missed trade opportunities
  
  

• Emotional and forced trades
  
  

On the flip side, choosing the right trading session can dramatically improve trade execution and accuracy.

The 4 Main Forex Market Sessions

1. 🕒 Sydney Session (Asian Open)
   
   

   • Time: 05:00 – 14:00 WIB
     
     

   • Characteristics: Low volatility, slow movement
     
     

   • Best for: Traders who like range or accumulation setups
     
     

2. 🕒 Tokyo Session
   
   

   • Time: 06:00 – 15:00 WIB
     
     

   • Characteristics: Modest volatility, some JPY pairs become active
     
     

   • Best for: Scalpers or early Asian market traders
     
     

3. 🕒 London Session (European Open)
   
   

   • Time: 14:00 – 22:00 WIB
     
     

   • Characteristics: High volatility, strong price moves
     
     

   • Best for: Most strategies—momentum, breakout, trend-following
     
     

4. 🕒 New York Session
   
   

   • Time: 19:00 – 04:00 WIB
     
     

   • Characteristics: Most liquid session, overlaps with London
     
     

   • Best for: USD-related pairs, high-impact news trading
     
     

📌 Most active and volatile time:
London–New York overlap (19:00 – 22:00 WIB)
This is when major price movements often happen.

The Best Time to Start Trading (Based on Your Goals)

Trader Type

Best Time to Start

Reason

Day Trader

14:00 – 22:00 WIB

London & NY sessions provide solid movement

Scalper

06:00 – 15:00 WIB or 19:00 – 22:00 WIB

Short bursts of volatility are available

Swing Trader

During session open (14:00 WIB)

Best time to find breakouts from overnight range

News Trader

Around economic calendar releases

Events usually happen during NY or London

Asian Session Specialist

05:00 – 11:00 WIB

Tighter spreads and more predictable moves

Don’t Trade Just Because the Market Is Open

Not all market hours are created equal. Sometimes, the worst thing you can do is to:

• Trade during dead zones (mid-session)
  
  

• Force trades when liquidity is low
  
  

• React to false breakouts in illiquid hours
  
  

🔑 Patience pays. Let the market come to you during high-probability times.

Bonus Tip: Use an Economic Calendar

Always check the Forex Factory calendar or equivalent before trading. Major news events like:

• FOMC
  
  

• NFP
  
  

• CPI
  
  

• ECB statements
  
  

…can cause massive volatility. If you're not a news trader, avoid entering just before the release.

Conclusion

The best time to start trading depends on your style, goals, and preferred market pairs. But generally, the London and New York sessions offer the most opportunities with better volatility and volume.

⏰ Instead of trading all day, focus on trading at the right time—it’s not about how long you’re in the market, but how efficient you are when you are.

June 27th 2025