Ryanair kitesurf equipment: fees, weight limits and how to pack

Ryanair will carry kitesurf equipment, but only in the hold and for a fee. Kitesurfing isn't named on its list. Surfboards are listed as large sporting equipment, and a Large sports item costs €/£60 at booking or €/£70 later, per item and per one-way flight. The limit is 20kg.

The figures here come from Ryanair's fee table, regulations and Help Centre as of 25 October 2026. The fee table shows each amount as €/£.

For how other airlines compare, see airline fees for kite gear.

Ryanair kitesurf equipment at a glance

The fee table also has a cheaper Sports equipment line at €/£40 (€/£45 later), also up to 20kg. Ryanair doesn't say which of the two a kite bag falls into. I'd budget for the higher one and settle the question before paying.

What it costs for a return trip

Ryanair charges for sports items on every flight. A return trip is 2 flights, so 2 fees.

The fee table lists a 20kg Check-in Bag at €/£21.49 to €/£59.99 per flight online, depending on route and dates, hence the range. You'll see the exact price when you book.

What's specific to Ryanair

Surfboards are listed, kites aren't

Ryanair's Help Centre lists large sporting equipment as including large fishing rods, golf clubs, bikes, surfboards, bodyboards, snowboards and skis. Kites and kiteboards aren't on it. Both sports fee categories in the fee table share the same 20kg limit per item.

A sports item is extra, not a swap for your suitcase

Ryanair's regulations say sporting equipment is carried in addition to your checked baggage allowance and paid for separately. The Plus fare includes one 20kg checked bag, but Ryanair's website doesn't say you can swap it for a kite bag. With kite gear, Plus only helps if you're also bringing a suitcase.

Watch the 32kg and size limits

Measure your bag at home

Ryanair's regulations say it won't carry any item over 32kg or larger than 81 x 119 x 119cm. The site doesn't explain how that fits with surfboards being on the list. If any side of your board bag is over 119cm, get carriage confirmed by Ryanair customer service before you buy the ticket, and keep the reply.

Deadlines

Checked bags can be added via My Bookings up to 2 hours before departure. I couldn't find a deadline for adding sports equipment later on Ryanair's site on 25 October 2026, so add it with the ticket, which is also cheaper. At airports with self-service kiosks, bags must be dropped at least 40 minutes before departure.

Expensive gear and a higher limit

Ryanair's regulations put its baggage liability at 1,519 SDR (approximately €1800) per piece of luggage. For €/£50 per passenger per one-way flight, you can make a special declaration at the ticket desk before check-in, which raises the limit to 2,262 SDR (approximately €2600). What to do if your bag is damaged is covered in the airline comparison.

Practical tips before you pay

1. Weigh the bag at home with what you'll really take. Not everything may fit into 20kg.
2. Add the sports item when booking. It's €/£10 more later, or €/£20 over a return trip.
3. Screenshot the fee table and your payment confirmation, so you can show the exact wording at the desk.
4. Check the size if your board bag is longer than 119cm (see above).

How to choose and pack a board bag that survives the baggage handlers is in kite board bags and flying with your gear. Ryanair is strict on batteries: spare lithium batteries and power banks stay on you or in the bag under the seat, never in the overhead locker or checked baggage. You can take up to 2 power banks within a limit of 20 spare batteries, and nothing over 100Wh is allowed, in the cabin or the hold.

When you'd rather not bring everything

With Ryanair, the lighter the bag the better. On the kite safari in Egypt I go on, there's a compressor and pumps on board and you can rent a twintip for €60 for 6 days (2026 prices). So you only need your kites, bar and harness, which fit into 20kg more easily. The kite safari packing list covers what else to bring.

Before you fly, also read kitesurfing travel insurance: what to check, so you know what your policy covers and what the airline does. For other low-cost airlines, see Wizz Air and Vueling.