Stop Paying Fees: A Guide to Flying with Surfboards in 2026

Arriving at the check-in counter only to be hit with a €150 fee each way for a board bag is a surfer's nightmare. That is budget that could have been spent on better accommodation or gear.

Airline policies change frequently, and they significantly impact the total cost of a trip. Currently, TAP Portugal remains one of the few European carriers with reasonable surfboard policies on certain fares, though pre-booking is essential. Showing up without a reservation for sports equipment often results in high fees.

For long-haul trips to destinations like Indonesia or Costa Rica, carriers such as Qatar Airways and Emirates have historically been more generous with allowances, often counting boards as part of the standard baggage weight. This can be a major cost-saver. If the total allowance covers the board bag, it flies for free—assuming the rest of the packing is light.

A widely recommended packing tip is using pipe insulation. Foam pipe lagging from a hardware store, taped around the rails of the board, adds a layer of protection that standard bubble wrap often lacks. Baggage handling can be rough, and extra padding is always worth the effort.

Need help planning the logistics? Use our Trip Wizard to find destinations that match your budget (including the flight costs).