Taking the train with your surfboard sounds like a dream: no traffic jams, no stress, and a more eco-friendly option. But when you travel with your board, things quickly become more complicated…
In this article, we explain:
1. The simplicity of traveling by train
- Why it’s convenient
- Where you can go surfing by train in France
2.The problem of surfboards on the TGV
- SNCF restrictions
- Solutions for taking the train with your board
Please note that the information shared here applies to France and its SNCF train network (TGV, TER).
1. The simplicity of traveling by train
Why It’s Convenient
Between fuel prices, tolls, travel time, and the nightmare of finding parking by the coast, taking the train is a great option for surfers. Especially when you don’t have the possibility to transport your board by car, no roof rack or simply no space inside. In short, traveling by train with your surfboard can be a real game-changer.
- It’s fast and direct: Bordeaux to Biarritz in 2 hours, Paris to Les Sables d’Olonne in 4 hours…
- It’s more eco-friendly: traveling without a car reduces your carbon footprint
- It’s perfect for spontaneous weekend surf trips
- You can make the most of your time on the train, watching surf tutorials or planning your next session.
Surf Destinations Accessible by Train (France)
Good news: in France, some surf spots are easily accessible by train, even on foot from the station.
Spots within walking distance:
Guéthary (Basque Country): the station is a 10-minute walk from the surf spot
Les Sables d’Olonne (Vendée): you can surf just a short walk from the station
Quiberon (Brittany): TER train + the famous “Tire-Bouchon” shuttle to the peninsula, spot within reach
Spots accessible with a shuttle or regional bus:
Biarritz (Basque Country): direct TGV from Paris or Bordeaux, then shuttle bus to the beaches
Hossegor / Capbreton (Landes): via Bayonne or Dax station, then rideshare or shuttle
Lacanau (Gironde): arrive at Bordeaux station, then regional bus to Lacanau Océan
Good to know: On small regional TER lines, traveling with a surfboard is generally easier than on TGV trains, there are fewer size restrictions.
By the way, SNCF published two articles on surf spots accessible by train: one focused on Brittany, and another on the Basque Country, especially Biarritz.
2. The problem of surfboards on trains in France
SNCF restrictions
Regulations and testimonials
Traveling by train with your surfboard isn’t always easy, especially if you have a longboard or a large board.
“Just a warning for Europeans who are trying to be climate-conscious and surf by train: I booked a TGV from Paris to Biarritz and wanted to take my surfboard with me. Already on the platform, a train conductor 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, it doesn’t matter whether you block them or not, they will charge you $150 per train you take (other train conductors confirmed to us that this is how they handle things).” Freeride360 on Reddit. (2024)
After reading this telling testimony about the daily struggles of surfers simply trying to travel with their board by train, we decided to take a closer look at theSNCF’s official travel regulations. Here’s what you need to know.
What the SNCF Rules Say:
- As special luggage: Surfboards or snowboards in a labeled bag, provided they measure no more than 90 x 130 x 50 cm (TGV Inoui, Intercités day/night, Ouigo)
In other words, unless you’re carrying a bodyboard, bringing your surfboard on board is simply not an option.
- Passengers must not obstruct traffic in the aisles or access to compartments and carriages with their luggage. Passengers must be able to place their luggage themselves in the area where their seat is located (upper or lower), in the designated spaces without risk to passengers or their luggage.
- If you obstruct traffic in the aisles or occupy a seat or luggage space without authorization, you may be liable to a fine of €150.
Ski vs surfboard/snowboard
“February 2024, two snowboards = €300. The train wasn’t crowded at all, and the boards were stored overhead without bothering anyone. My first year in the mountains with SNCF, and my last year taking the train. But the guy with the 1.80-meter skis got away with it. Spot the mistake: SNCF.” Pierre on the SurfSession blog. (march 2024)
And yes, it’s quite funny because skis are welcome on board: you can bring your pair of skis with you, provided they are transported in a labeled bag designed for this purpose. There is no size limit for skis, however, each passenger may only travel with one pair. (SNCF website)
We know it’s frustrating, so we won’t leave you without a solution. On the contrary, we’ll tell you about it now!
Solutions for taking your board on the train
The SNCF’s “My Luggage” service
“A €150 fine on a Bordeaux-Paris train on Saturday, November 4, 2023! A small fish in its bag, neatly packed away and not bothering anyone. Their response: a €80 home delivery service!” Alex on the SurfSession blog. (November 2023)
So, surfers are not welcome on board with their surfboards unless they are willing to pay a €150 fine every time they board a train. But the SNCF seems to have thought of everything, so we went to check out the “My Luggage” service.
The SNCF offers to take care of transporting your luggage that does not meet their conditions for travelers.
What the terms of use say:
- Bulky items: Skis, snowboards, etc. Ski equipment must be placed in a cover (maximum 2 pairs). Maximum dimensions: 3m (height + width + depth) and 25kg. (FAQ answer: What types of items can I have transported via the My Luggage service?)
Well, we imagine that these rules apply to surfboards because the website doesn’t mention them anywhere.
Now let’s look at the prices. Let’s say I want to ship my board from Paris to Biarritz on Thursday, July 10 (collection day). If I select “ski equipment,” it costs €180 one way.
And finally, wouldn’t this €150 fine save us money?
Note that delivery takes between 24 hours and 7 business days after pickup. So you need to have logistics in place to be there when it arrives and hope to receive it on time.
We’ve still found solutions for you to take the train with your surfboard.
A few tips for taking the train with a surfboard
Avoid bags that are too flashy, with “SURF” written in large letters or brand logos. It’s better to be discreet so as not to arouse suspicion. On the platform, don’t hang around too long with your board bag, as the ticket inspectors may try to stop you from boarding the train. Be aware that ticket inspectors cannot stop you from boarding the train with your board. So you will 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 you can so that it causes as little obstruction as possible.
Above all, don’t try to be clever with the ticket inspectors. 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 wedge another bag in front of the cover to break up the shape and make it look a little more like “ordinary luggage.”
In short, taking the train with your surfboard on the train is a mix of discretion, anticipation, and a little luck, because in reality, it all depends on the tolerance of the staff and their mood at the time…
Newave and the modular surfboard
At Newave, we know all about these hassles. That’s what motivated us to embark on the adventure of creating modular surfboards, designed to simplify travel (and storage), especially by train.
- Newave boards can be dismantled into two or three pieces, depending on the model. Once stored in a specially designed backpack or wheeled bag, they comply with the dimensions allowed on trains.
- You can transport your board in a suitable bag that is easy to store in the compartments provided for this purpose.
- No more crossing your fingers when the conductor comes around.
Traveling by train with a modular board is also an economical and practical choice. No more transportation hassles or expensive rentals on site. You can travel light, with your own compact and easy-to-transport equipment, while avoiding unexpected surprises. It’s the ideal solution for surfing more often, without sacrificing comfort or performance.
And our boards are modular! That means you can swap parts around to create new shapes, depending on the waves, your style, or your mood!
conclusion
Taking the train with your surfboard is a great opportunity to travel more eco-friendly and enjoy French surf spots without any constraints. However, SNCF rules and the dimensions of traditional boards can sometimes complicate the adventure.
The solution? Plan ahead by choosing the right equipment… such as a Newave modular board, which is compact, high-performance, and designed for your train journeys.
Retrouve-nous
📍2 Allée Titouan Lamazou
85340 Les Sables-d’Olonne
Ou contacte-nous
📞07.82.86.43.84
✒️contact@newavesurf.fr
