Timing is everything as a forex trader.
One hour too early, and the market barely moves.
One hour too late, and you’ve already missed the action.
The London session is the heartbeat of global forex.
It’s the most liquid and the most volatile, making it the prime hunting ground for serious traders.
South African traders often ask: what time does the London session open in SAST?
One of them?
Let me answer that for you.
Forex trading sessions refer to the different time periods during which various global financial markets are open for trading.
This article will break down the London session in South Africa’s local time.
You’ll learn when it opens and closes, when overlaps occur (with other major sessions i.e. NYSE), which currency pairs move best, and how to best plan your trading day.
I will also clear up the confusion around session times, time zones, and terms like GMT or BST (let’s not forget Daylight Saving Time).
You’ll see exactly how it converts into South African time, when overlaps happen, and which hours bring the real volatility.
For South African traders, knowing the exact London session hours in GMT+2 (SA time zone) is critical.
That way, you can focus on high-probability trading opportunities when it matters most.
Get it wrong, and you’ll sit through dead markets.
Get it right, and you’ll catch the biggest moves of the day.
No more missing the opening bell.
What Time is the London Session in South Africa?
The London session officially runs from 08:00 to 16:00 BST (GMT+1).
Convert that and it translates to 09:00 – 17:00 SAST (GMT+2).
But here’s where it gets tricky: London switches between GMT (winter) and British Summer Time (BST/GMT+1) in the summer.
South Africa, on the other hand, stays fixed at SAST (GMT+2) all year round.
We keep it simple.
That mismatch causes confusion for many traders.
In summer, when the UK moves to BST, the London session shifts by one hour relative to South Africa.
In winter, it lines up differently again.
Here’s how it works in practice:
| Session | London Local Time | South Africa (SAST) |
| Summer (BST) | 08:00 – 16:00 BST | 09:00 – 17:00 SAST |
| Winter (GMT) | 08:00 – 16:00 GMT | 10:00 – 18:00 SAST |
For South African traders, this means the London market opens mid-morning.
That’s a convenient start time compared to Asian (Tokyo) session traders, who often face late-night, early morning hours.
Remember: forex brokers display server times differently (I bet you did not know that).
Always double-check your broker’s platform time against SAST, especially around March and October when the UK switches between GMT and BST.
DST is observed in most of Europe, most of North America and parts of Africa and Asia around the Northern Hemisphere summer, and in parts of South America and Oceania around the Southern Hemisphere summer.
The London market open time does not fall on a Sunday if you are situated in South Africa.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Keep the above in mind.
Why the London Session Matters for South African Traders
The London session isn’t just another trading window.
It’s the engine room of the global forex market.
The London Stock Exchange (you will see traders use LSE) is a stock exchange based in London, England.
When London opens, liquidity surges.
Major banks, hedge funds, and institutional traders are active.
Price movements become sharper, spreads tighten, and volatility spikes (does it get any better than that?).
The London session sets the pace for daily trading, but it isn’t the only window worth watching. To see how it compares with New York and Asian hours, check our full guide on the best time to trade forex in South Africa.
The London open falls in the mid to late morning.
For South African traders, the timing couldn’t be better.
This natural alignment is one of the key advantages South African traders enjoy.
The London session also overlaps with other major markets.
Early in the day, it crosses with the tail end of the Asian session.
Later, it overlaps with the New York session.
Both overlaps create bursts of activity, giving traders multiple opportunities to catch strong moves (bullish or bearish).
In short: the London session gives South African traders a front-row seat to the most active hours in the forex market.
This makes this particular trading session ideal for day traders, breakout strategies and fundamental traders monitoring high-impact news events in Europe and the UK.
Best Forex Pairs to Trade During the London Session
Not all currency pairs move or react the same way during the London session.
Some thrive on liquidity and volatility, while others remain sluggish (consolidation, a tight range).
The pairs most active in this session are those tied to Europe, the UK, and the US.
Here are the top forex picks for South African traders:
- EUR/USD – The most traded pair in the world, with sharp moves and tight spreads.
- GBP/USD – Known as “Cable”, it’s highly volatile during London hours.
- USD/CHF – Often moves as a safe-haven play alongside EUR/USD.
- GBP/JPY – Nicknamed the “Dragon”, it offers explosive moves during overlaps.
Commodities also see big activity in the London session:
- Gold (XAU/USD) – Spikes in volume when Europe comes online.
- Silver (XAG/USD) – Often tracks gold’s momentum.
Indices worth watching:
- GER30 (DAX) – Germany’s main index, extremely active during the London morning.
- FTSE100 – UK’s index, naturally busiest in London hours.
London session traders should always double-check GER30 opening and closing times during German winter and summer sessions.
Stick to these instruments if you want to capture strong trends and volatility.
Pairs with low liquidity, such as exotic currencies (USD/TRY, EUR/ZAR and GBP/PLN to name a few), tend to have wider spreads and unpredictable movements during this time.
Step outside the majors and key commodities, and you’ll risk wide spreads, flat price action, and the frustration of chasing trades you created rather than identified.
London Session Overlaps and Market Opportunities
One of the biggest advantages of trading the London session is its overlaps with other major markets.
| Trading Window | South African Time (SAST) | Why It Matters |
| London–NY Overlap | 14:00 – 18:00 | Highest liquidity, US data releases, strong volatility |
| Quiet Hours | 11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. | Thin liquidity, wide spreads, low probability setups (avoid) |
These crossover periods are when liquidity and volatility peak, creating prime trading conditions (the scalpers know what I am referring to).
At the start of London hours, there’s a short overlap with the Asian session (trading day moves towards the close).
This can trigger early momentum, especially in pairs like GBP/JPY or EUR/JPY, as traders in both regions interact.
Later in the day comes the main event: the London–New York overlap.
It connects the European flow with the start of the New York market open, creating some of the most powerful moves of the trading day.
This overlap occurs halfway through the London session.
This is the most active trading window in the world.
When both financial hubs are open, market depth increases, news releases hit, and volatility spikes across majors like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and gold.
For South African traders, this overlap usually runs from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. SAST (depending on season).
Remember to factor in potential DST for both the UK and US.
It’s the period where breakouts often occur, trends strengthen, and intraday opportunities are at their best.
Many South African traders report that they structure their day around London–New York overlap (for traders happy hour starts at 2:00 p.m.).
Best Trading Hours for South African Traders
Knowing the London session times is one thing.
Pinpointing the best hours to trade is where the real edge comes in.
For South African traders, the first surge usually comes right after the London open.
That’s 09:00 to 11:00 SAST during the UK’s summer (BST), and 10:00 to 12:00 SAST during the UK’s winter (GMT).
These hours often bring strong moves as European markets react to overnight news and set the tone for the trading day.
The second golden window is, you guessed it, the London–New York overlap.
In South Africa, this typically runs from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. SAST.
Liquidity is at its highest, and volatility can be explosive especially when major US economic data (GDP, CPI, PCE and NFP to name a few) is released.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Morning session (London open): Momentum trades, breakouts, reversals.
- Afternoon session (London–NY overlap): High-impact news, trend continuation, sharp volatility.
By focusing on these hours, you keep your focus for high-probability setups.
Step outside them, and you’ll find yourself overtrading (a common pitfall) slow markets and giving back profits you didn’t need to lose.
The key is discipline.
You don’t need to be glued to the screen all day – that’s a myth.
You just need to be present when liquidity and volatility align.
Turning Hours Into an Edge: The London Session
Seasoned traders know it’s not about trading all day, it’s about trading at the right time.
One of my clients in Johannesburg used to sit at the charts from morning to night.
The results were random and inconsistent; some wins, plenty of frustration (due to losses).
Once he focused his efforts on the London open and the London–New York overlap, his trading flipped from 50/50 guesses to high probability trading setups.
Fewer trades, better entries, more consistency.
It wasn’t magic, it was not some EA, it was simply being present when the market actually moves.
For South African traders, the London session is that window.
Respect the hours, and you’ll see the difference.
Give it a try and let me know.
London Session Time in South Africa PDF Download
Key Takeaways: London Session Trading in South Africa
- Session Hours (SAST):
- Summer (BST): 09:00 – 17:00 SAST
- Winter (GMT): 10:00 – 18:00 SAST
- Why It Matters: The London session is the most liquid and volatile forex trading window, making it the best session for day traders, breakout traders, and fundamental traders.
- Best Trading Windows:
- Morning Momentum: First 1–2 hours after the open (09:00–11:00 in summer, 10:00–12:00 in winter).
- London–New York Overlap: 14:00 – 18:00 SAST, the most active trading hours globally.
- Market Overlaps:
- Early overlap with Asian session → momentum on pairs like GBP/JPY and EUR/JPY.
- Main overlap with New York session → highest liquidity, strong trends, and major US news releases.
- Top Forex Pairs:
- EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CHF, GBP/JPY (the “Dragon”).
- Commodities: Gold (XAU/USD) and Silver (XAG/USD).
- Indices: GER30 (DAX) and FTSE100.
- Session Advantages for South Africans: Convenient mid-morning start time (no overnight trading needed) and alignment with global liquidity peaks.
- Discipline is Key: Focus on high-probability hours (morning surge & afternoon overlap) instead of trading all day. This reduces overtrading and increases consistency.
