Taking the train with your surfboard sounds like a dream: no traffic jams, no stress, a more eco-friendly option. But when you travel with your board, things quickly become more complicated…
This article explains:
1. The simplicity of train travel
- Why it's practical
- Where can you go surfing by train in France?
2. The problem of surfboards on the TGV
- SNCF bans
- Solutions for taking the train with your skateboard
Note that the information shared is valid for France and its SNCF train network (TGV, TER).
1. The simplicity of train travel
Why it's practical
Between the price of gas, tolls, travel time, and parking hassles on the coast, the train has everything to appeal to surfers. Especially when you can't transport your board by car: no roof rack or no space in the car. In short, taking the train with your surfboard turns out to be a great option.
- It's quick and direct : Bordeaux-Biarritz in 2 hours, Paris-Les Sables d'Olonne in 4 hours…
- It's more eco-friendly : travelling without a car reduces your carbon footprint
- It's easier to take a spontaneous weekend getaway .
- You can optimize your time on the train and watch videos to improve your practice!
Surf destinations accessible by train (France)
Good news, in France some spots are easily accessible by train, or even on foot from the station.
Spots accessible on foot:
- Guéthary (Basque Country): train station 10 minutes walk from the spot
- Les Sables d'Olonne (Vendée): surfing possible on foot from the train station
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Quiberon (Brittany): TER train + Tire-Bouchon cable car to the peninsula, accessible spot
Spots accessible by shuttle or regional bus:
- Biarritz (Basque Country): Direct TGV train from Paris or Bordeaux, shuttle bus to reach the beaches
- Hossegor/Capbreton (Landes): via Bayonne or Dax train station, then carpooling or shuttle
- Lacanau (Gironde): Bordeaux train station, then bus to Lacanau Océan
Good to know: on small regional TER lines, transporting your board is generally simpler than on TGV (few size restrictions).
SNCF has also written two articles on surf spots accessible by train, one for those in Brittany and the other about the Basque Country and more specifically Biarritz .
2. The problem of surfboards on the TGV
SNCF bans
Regulations and testimonials
Traveling by train with your surfboard is not always easy, especially if you own a longboard or a large-sized board.
“Just a heads-up for climate-conscious Europeans trying to surf by train: I booked a TGV from Paris to Biarritz and wanted to bring my surfboard with me. Even on the platform, a train driver came up to us and fined me €150 for having a surfboard as luggage. The fine we had to pay was for blocking the aisles. However, regardless of whether you block them or not, they'll charge you €150 for every train you take (other train drivers confirmed this is how they handle things).” Freeride360 on Reddit . (2024)
After reading this significant account of the daily lives of surfers simply wanting to transport their surfboard by train, we took a closer look at the SNCF passenger terms and conditions of sale , and we'll tell you everything.
What the SNCF regulations say :
- As special baggage: Water sports boards or snowboards in a labeled cover provided they measure a maximum of 90 x 130 x 50 cm (TGV Inoui, Intercités day/night, Ouigo)
Let me tell you, if you're not transporting a bodyboard, forget about bringing a surfboard on board.
- Passengers carrying their luggage must not obstruct movement in the corridors or access to compartments and carriages. They must be able to place their luggage independently in the designated areas of the room where their seat is located (upper or lower), without risk to other passengers or their luggage.
- In case of obstruction of traffic in the corridors, in case of improper occupation of a seat or luggage space, you are liable to a fine of €150.
Skiing vs. surfing/snowboarding
“February 2024, 2 snowboards = 300 euros. The train wasn't crowded at all, and the boards were on the overhead without bothering anyone. First year in the mountains with SNCF (French National Railways) and last year I'll take the train. But the guy with 1.80m skis got through, go figure: SNCF.” Pierre on the SurfSession blog . (March 2024)
And yes, it's quite funny because skis are indeed welcome on board: You can bring your pair of skis, provided they are transported in a labeled bag designed for this purpose. There is no size limit for skis; however, each passenger can only travel with one pair. ( SNCF website )
We know it's frustrating, so we're not going to leave you without a solution; on the contrary, we're talking to you about it now!
Solutions for taking the train with your skateboard
The SNCF's "My Luggage" service
“ €150 in fines on a Bordeaux-Paris flight on Saturday, November 4, 2023! A small fish in its bag, neatly packed and not bothering anyone. Their response: a home bagging service for €80!” Alex on the SurfSession blog . (November 2023)
We surfers aren't welcome on board with our surfboards unless we're willing to pay a €150 fine every time we get on a train. But SNCF seems to have thought of everything, so we went to check out their "My Luggage" service.
SNCF offers to take care of transporting your luggage that does not meet its condition as a traveler.
What the terms of service say :
- Bulky items: Skis, snowboards. Ski equipment must be placed in a bag (containing a maximum of 2 pairs). Maximum dimensions (height + width + depth) and weight: 3m and 25kg. ( FAQ answer : What type of item can I have transported via the My Luggage service?)
Well, we assume these rules apply to surfboards because the site doesn't mention them anywhere.
And now, let's look at the prices, let's say I want to have my board transported from Paris to Biarritz on Thursday, July 10 (collection day), if I select "ski equipment": €180. One way.
And finally, wouldn't this €150 fine actually save us some money?
Please note that delivery takes between 24 hours and 7 business days after collection. Therefore, you need to have logistics in place to be available for delivery and hope to receive it on time.
We did manage to find solutions for you to take the train with your surfboard.
Some tips for taking the train with a surfboard
Avoid flashy bags, those with "SURF" written in large letters, or brand logos. It's best to remain discreet so as not to arouse suspicion. On the platform, don't linger too long with your boardbag, as the ticket inspectors might try to block your access to the train. Keep in mind that the inspectors can't prevent you from boarding the train with your board. So you'll never have to leave it on the platform, no matter what.
Once on the train, depending on the size of the board, try to slide it into the luggage compartments or behind the seats, positioning it as best as possible so that it is as little of an obstruction as possible.
And above all, don't try to be clever with the security staff. We all know they're not fans of bulky items like our boards, so stay polite, calm, and ready to negotiate if necessary. You can put another bag in front of the case to break up the shape and make it look a bit more like regular luggage.
In short, travelling with a surfboard by train is a mix of discretion, anticipation and a bit of luck because in reality, everything depends on the tolerance of the staff and the mood of the moment…
Newave and the removable board
At Newave, we know these hassles well. In fact, that's what motivated us to embark on the adventure of creating collapsible surfboards , designed to simplify travel (and storage), especially by train.
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Newave boards can be disassembled into two or three pieces depending on the model. Once packed in a specially designed backpack or wheeled bag, they meet the size requirements for trains.
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You carry your board in a suitable bag, which is easy to store in the compartments provided for this purpose.
- No need to cross your fingers during the inspection.
Traveling by train with a A removable board is also an economical and practical choice. No more transport hassles or expensive rentals on site. You travel with peace of mind, with your own compact and easy-to-carry equipment, avoiding unexpected problems. It's the ideal solution for surfing more often, without sacrificing comfort or performance.
And our boards are modular ! That means you can interchange the parts to create new shapes, depending on the waves, your style, or your desires!
conclusion
Taking the train with your surfboard is a great opportunity to travel more eco-friendly and enjoy French surf spots without constraints. However, SNCF regulations and the dimensions of standard surfboards can sometimes complicate things.
The solution? Anticipate by choosing suitable equipment… like a Newave folding board, compact, high-performance, and designed for your train journeys.