Guide
How Many Sunbed Sessions Before A Holiday?
Short version: 6–10 sessions over 3–4 weeks for a proper base tan, 5–6 sessions if you're two weeks out, and 3 short sessions if you fly next week. Here's the week-by-week plan.
Free tan planner
How many sessions will I need?
Your suggested plan
- 3 sessions a week — around 12 sessions over 4 weeks
- Start at 4 minutes and build gradually to no more than 10 minutes
- Leave at least 48 hours between sessions — colour keeps developing after you get off
- First 6 sessions build the base; after that you're topping up
Guidance only, for over-18s. Never tan twice in 24 hours and always use the goggles supplied.
At salon rates that's roughly £84–£108. A 4-week TanBox hire gives you unlimited sessions at home instead.
Your countdown plan
| Time to go | Sessions | Pattern | Realistic result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks | 12–16 | 2–3 a week | Deep, even colour |
| 4 weeks | 8–12 | 2–3 a week | Solid holiday tan |
| 2 weeks | 5–6 | Every other day | Clear base tan |
| 1 week | 3 | Day 1, 3, 5 | Light colour, less day-one burning |
Stop 2–3 days before you fly. For over-18s only — a base tan is not sun protection.
Week-by-week, if you've got four weeks
- Week 1: 2 short sessions at your starting time. No redness is the goal, not colour.
- Week 2: 3 sessions, adding a minute or two. First real colour appears.
- Week 3: 3 sessions at your comfortable maximum. Start using accelerator and moisturiser daily.
- Week 4: 2 sessions early in the week, then stop. Moisturise heavily until you travel.
Why people hire for the run-up
A 4-week holiday plan is 8–12 sessions each. At £7–£9 a session that's £56–£108 per person, plus a dozen trips to a salon around work. A 4-week hire at £175 covers everyone in the house, unlimited — couples and families going away together end up well ahead, and nobody misses a session because a slot was full.
We deliver, install and collect free across Birmingham, the West Midlands and surrounding areas, usually within 24–48 hours.
Common questions
How many sunbed sessions before a holiday?
For a visible base tan, plan 6–10 sessions over 3–4 weeks. Two weeks out, 5–6 sessions is realistic. With only one week, 3 short sessions is the safe maximum — you'll get light colour and protection against day-one burning rather than a deep tan.
When should I start using a sunbed before my holiday?
Four weeks before is ideal. It gives you time to build up minutes slowly, recover if you overdo it, and settle into 2–3 sessions a week without cramming.
How many sessions to get a base tan before flying?
Usually 4–6 sessions. A base tan won't stop you burning abroad, but it does mean you don't lose the first two days of the holiday to red skin, and your tan builds faster in the sun.
Should I use a sunbed the day before I fly?
No. Leave at least 48 hours between your last session and strong sun so your skin isn't already sensitised when you land.
How long before a holiday should I stop tanning?
Stop 2–3 days before you travel. Use those days to moisturise heavily — hydrated skin holds colour far better and peels less.
Is hiring a sunbed worth it just for a holiday?
For a 4-week run-up, usually yes. A 4-week TanBox hire is £175 with unlimited sessions, so a couple tanning 3 times a week each gets around 24 sessions — well under salon rates of £7–£9 a session, with no travel and no booking slots.
Can two of us share one hire before a holiday?
Yes. The hire is per bed, not per person, so partners, families and groups going away together all use the same bed at no extra cost. It's the main reason holiday hires work out so cheap per person.
How quickly can you deliver if my holiday is soon?
Often within 24–48 hours across Birmingham and the West Midlands, subject to availability. Message us with your postcode and travel date and we'll tell you straight away what we can do.
How do I keep my tan while I'm away and after?
Moisturise daily, avoid long hot showers and exfoliate gently rather than scrubbing. When you're home, one session a week is enough to hold the colour.
Keep reading
- How many sessions to get a tan
- Building a base tan before a holiday
- How much is a sunbed session?
- Lie-down vs stand-up sunbeds
Holiday booked? Get a bed delivered this week
From £175 for 4 weeks, unlimited use, free delivery and collection.