Business Hours Around the World: When to Schedule International Calls
Understanding business hours across different regions is critical for scheduling meetings with international colleagues. This guide covers working hours, lunch breaks, and cultural norms in 50+ major cities.
North America Business Hours
Most US and Canadian offices operate 9am–5pm local time. However, tech companies often have flexible hours. New York (EST) and Los Angeles (PST) have a 3-hour difference, making cross-country coordination essential.
European Business Hours
European offices typically operate 8am–6pm, with many taking 1–2 hour lunch breaks around noon. Germany and Switzerland tend toward earlier start times (7:30am), while Southern Europe starts later (9am).
Asian Business Hours
Asia spans multiple time zones with varying business cultures. Tokyo and Seoul work longer hours (often until 7pm), while Singapore and Hong Kong typically finish by 6pm. Many Asian offices observe Saturday work in some sectors.
Middle East Business Hours
The Gulf region (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh) operates 8am–5pm, but Friday-Saturday is the weekend instead of Saturday-Sunday. This creates unique scheduling challenges for global teams.