Getting to the waves: transfers, car hire, campers, scooters and boats.

From the airport to the break

Look at the transfer time before you book flights. Some destinations are an hour from the airport, others three or more. A late arrival may rule out a long night drive on unfamiliar roads, so consider a night near the airport. The destination guides give airports and rough transfer information.

Options are a prearranged transfer, a taxi, a shared shuttle, public transport, or a hire car. Prearranged transfers are easy and often include boards, but confirm that the vehicle can fit your bag. Shared shuttles are cheaper and slower. Public buses may not accept large board bags, or may charge extra. Ask in advance, especially when you travel with more than one board.

Hiring a car with boards

A car gives freedom to chase the best conditions, but fitting boards is the challenge. A single shortboard bag may fit in an estate car or a small van with the seats folded, but a longboard rarely does. A roof rack or soft rack pads are the usual answer. Ask the hire company whether roof racks are allowed and whether it supplies them, because some contracts ban roof loads or void insurance if you use them.

Check the insurance carefully. Collision damage waivers often exclude tyres, glass, the roof and the undercarriage, and gravel or sand tracks to remote breaks are where damage happens. Check the excess, and whether damage caused by a roof load is covered. Photograph the car before and after, and check the fuel policy. Check that your licence is valid, and whether an international driving permit is required, which varies by country.

Drive to your confidence. Narrow coast roads, scooters, livestock and night driving add risk. If you are unsure, a driver for a day can be cheaper than an accident.

Racks and carrying boards safely

Strap boards with the fins facing up or forward, as the rack and car instructions suggest, and use proper straps with a twist in the strap to stop vibration noise. Tie the nose and tail to the car when advised. Do not leave boards on the roof overnight in places with theft. Check the height limits for car parks and tunnels.

Check that rack pads suit the car shape. Soft pads can shift in a strong crosswind. A rack with a locking system is safer in busy towns. If you hire racks locally, test them before leaving the car park.

Campervans

A campervan combines accommodation and transport, and it lets you follow the swell. It works best in countries with a campervan culture and a clear rule about where you may park overnight. Many places ban sleeping in vehicles outside designated sites, and fines are possible. Check local rules before you rely on free camping.

Check the size, as campervans are wider and taller than cars, and not all coastal roads are comfortable. Ask whether the vehicle has board storage, a rack, and a place to dry a wet suit. Check the hire company's terms on mileage, deposits, insurance, cross-border use and damage. Costs include fuel, site fees and a larger bond than a car.

Scooters with board racks

In parts of Asia, scooters with side racks are the standard way to carry a board to the break. They are cheap and flexible, but they carry real risk: traffic, wet roads and carrying a long board in wind. Many travel insurance policies exclude riding without the right licence, or require a helmet and a valid licence for that vehicle class. Check yours.

Only ride if you are experienced. Wear a helmet, use a proper rack, and avoid carrying a board in strong wind or heavy traffic. Hire from a reputable shop and photograph the scooter. Walking or taking a driver is safer for new riders.

Surf taxis and shuttles

Many surf towns have drivers who carry boards to local breaks for a set fee. They are useful on days when you do not want to drive and for remote breaks with poor roads. Agree the price, the pick-up time and the waiting time in advance. Ask other surfers or your accommodation for a reliable driver. Camps and some hostels run a shuttle that is part of the price.

Boat access

Some of the best waves are reached by boat: reef passes, outer islands and remote points. Boats range from local fishing boats to charter vessels. Agree the price, the number of people, the drop-off and pick-up times and what happens if the weather changes. Look at life jackets, communication and the condition of the boat. Do not use an overloaded boat.

Charter trips, where you live on board, are priced as a package and require careful reading of the terms, the licence of the operator and the insurance. Small fishing boats may not be covered by travel insurance, so ask your insurer if boat transfers to a surf spot are included.

Planning your first day and last day

Plan arrival and departure as carefully as the days between. On arrival, confirm the pick-up point and a phone number, and have an offline map. If your board does not arrive, know where the nearest hire shop is. On the last day, leave time for the drive to the airport, a fuel stop, the rack removal and the car return. Surf the morning of departure only if the schedule leaves a buffer, since tight timing is how people miss flights.

Keep a copy of your driving licence, hire agreement and insurance details. Check for road tolls and parking rules around beaches, which can include fines for blocking access tracks. In some places, cars left at remote beaches are targeted by thieves, so do not leave valuables in view, and ask locals about safe parking.

If you travel as a group, share the driving and agree who is responsible for fuel and fines. A fair arrangement set at the start avoids arguments in the car park.