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The 31 Best Travel-sized Games of 2024

Our list has brainy word teasers, multiplayer party games, and everything in between.

• Our Top Picks

Best Card Games

Best board games, best word games, best party games, best for little travelers.

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan

Whether you’re in need of kid-friendly games for a long road trip or some cheeky party activities to break the ice with a new group of hostel friends, it’s always worth having a couple of tried-and-true games up your sleeve while on the road.

The following travel-sized games are the best options in our book. These compact card and board games are designed to take up minimal space in luggage, while still offering maximum fun during the inevitable downtime that comes with most adventures (think layovers, long hours on a train , or rainy evenings on vacation). Here are our top picks for all types of travelers.

Mattel Games World's Smallest UNO Card Game

Why We Love It: This teeny card game will fit into the smallest of handbags.

What to Consider: The ultra-compact size might not work for those with vision problems or arthritic hands.

Uno is one of those card games that everybody already knows how to play — and, if they don’t, it takes about ten seconds to learn. That makes this game an excellent addition when backpacking abroad or vacationing with family members of all ages. This option in particular stands out as it’s the “world’s smallest” version of the popular game. The tiny cards are less than three inches tall — that’s smaller than a credit card! – and can easily fit into handbags or luggage without adding any bulk, so you’ll always have an icebreaker at the ready.

The Details : 2-10 players | Ages 7+ | 0.79 x 1.97 x 2.99 inches

Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Deal Card Game

Why We Love It: This rendition allows you to play your favorite board game sans tabletop. 

What to Consider: It can be a bit tricky to catch on at first as there’s a lot of fast-paced action.

Monopoly night at home with friends and family can take you through a serious spectrum of emotions, especially if it’s been dragging on for hours. Then there’s Monopoly Deal. The travel-friendly version of Monopoly is cards only and much faster paced than the traditional board game. You’ll still buy and sell property, collect rent, and pass go as you do in classic Monopoly, but the compact card game can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. It’s also easier to play while at the airport or on a long train journey.

The Details : 2-5 players | Ages 8+ | 15 minutes | 0.75 x 3.62 x 5.63 inches

Mattel Games Skip-bo Card Game

Why We Love It: This family-friendly game is both easy to learn and quick to play.

What to Consider: The cards are a bit flimsy and could be more wear-resistant.

Is it just us or will Skip-bo always evoke childhood memories? The classic number sequencing game was huge in elementary school but was also in major rotation on our grandmother’s kitchen table. Not much has changed since then: the fast-paced card game is just as fun and easy to pick up and play now. It’s also relatively small which makes it great for popping into your carry-on or handbag. Note that although this game is designed for those ages 7 and up, it’s a ton of fun for adults as well as kids.

The Details: 2-6 players | Ages 7+ | 0.98 x 8.46 x 6 inches

Wild Card Games Backpacker: The Ultimate Travel Game

Why We Love It: It helps improve your skills as a traveler while learning about the world.

What to Consider: The instructions are quite long and tedious.

If you’re looking for a travel-themed game (and who doesn’t love a good theme?), then you’ll want to consider checking out Backpacker. The quick-moving travel card game is designed to mimic what it’s like to be on the road and all the potential triumphs and roadblocks that come with traversing the globe. We love that this game comes with actual fun facts about each destination so you still learn about the world around you even while playing close to home. The colorful cards are also visually appealing thanks to the high-quality photography and drawings on each one.

The Details : 2-6 players | Ages 12+ | 5.1 x 0.8 x 3.7 inches

Rubberneckers Everyone's Favorite Travel Game

Why We Love It: This game was specifically designed to be played during a road trip.

What to Consider: It’s not as exciting to play in rural areas.

Road trips are, in theory, a nonstop adventure — but, in practice, they can be long and exhausting. Rubberneckers was designed to put the fun back into long drives. The card game is essentially a game of reverse I Spy with prompts like “credit card logo” and “more than three people in a vehicle” designed to get everyone in the car looking out the window to earn points and win the title of the ultimate rubbernecker. We also appreciate the simple and easy-to-read language so younger kids can participate just as easily as older passengers.

The Details: 2 or more players | Ages 8+ | 3.5 x 1.5 x 5.5 inches

Mattel Phase 10 Card Game

Why We Love It: This card game is a spin-off of the popular Rummikub tile game.

What to Consider: Children may have a hard time keeping up with the rules.

Rummikub, the popular tile game, can be found in a card version with Phase 10. The object of the game is to create various sets using your cards before the other players do. This is a game that can take a while to get used to, but what better time to learn than a 6-hour layover in an airport? Kids as young as seven can play, although older ones may find the strategic element more enjoyable.

The Details: 2-6 players | Ages 7+ | 11.8 x 11.8 x 2 inches

Catan Studio Catan Board Game

Why We Love It: This modern classic is a fan favorite — and, although layered, it’s easy to teach to new players.

What to Consider: There are a fair bit of pieces to keep together while on the go.

Catan is one of those games that seems complicated at first glance, but once you get it, you get it. The strategy board game takes about an hour to play out, but can go for longer — so you’ll want to budget that time while traveling. It’s also important to keep in mind that, even though this is relatively compact and travel-friendly, it still comes with several small pieces so it’s better for playing at your hotel or Airbnb rather than on a train or at the airport.

The Details: 3-4 players | Ages 10+ | 60 minutes | 11.63 x 9.5 x 3 inches

MindWare Travel Qwirkle Game

Why We Love It: This game requires smart strategy but it’s very easy to pick up and run with.

What to Consider: Some of the colors are very similar and can be hard to decipher.

We love the travel-sized Qwirkle game: not only is it super easy to learn but it’s also relatively easy to play while on the go. We love that this option is intuitive for everyone and can easily become a go-to for families with younger kids. The colorful tiles and convenient carrying case make this one great for playing while in transit — but you’ll want to keep in mind that some of the colors (especially orange and red) are very similar and can be a bit tricky to tell apart if you’re not playing in great lighting.

The Details: 2-4 players | Ages 6+ | 30-60 minutes | 5.5 x 6 x 2 inches

Hasbro Gaming Guess Who? Grab and Go Game

Why We Love It: There are only a few pieces to this classic board game.

What to Consider: The plastic is a bit flimsy and will require careful handling.

We’ll always have a soft spot for Guess Who? considering we’ve been playing it pretty much forever. The beloved guessing game requires strategic and creative thinking, but makes a particularly good travel game because there are only a few pieces to keep track of which makes it great for playing on the go, especially on a train or plane, or even while waiting to depart. We also like that the Grab and Go size is super compact and can easily fit in a backpack or carry-on without taking up too much space.

The Details: 2 players | Ages 6+ | 1.89 x 6.26 x 9.25 inches

Sorry! Road Trip Series

Why We Love It: This tiny board game is easy to set up and play on road trips or even flights.

What to Consider: Its extremely compact size is not ideal for bumpy roads or those with arthritis.

Who said you can’t play a whole darn board game while in the car? The road trip edition of Sorry! is super simple to set up and play whether you’re in an airplane cabin or the back seat of a car. The little game is designed to fold out into a full playing board on the go and doubles as its own folding carrying case when all is said and done. We love how easy it is to put together and start playing — but keep in mind, the super tiny pieces might be tricky to play with on particularly bumpy roads. 

The Details : 2-4 players | Ages 6+ | 1.00 x 11.90 x 5.85 inches

Hasbro Gaming Travel Battleship

Why We Love It: This game is quiet and slow-paced which makes it great for playing on a plane or at the airport.

What to Consider: The numerous pieces to keep track of are somewhat inconvenient.

The Grab and Go version of Battleship is small enough to throw into your carry-on bag but large enough to engage in a comfortable game without having to squint or deal with too-small game pieces. The boards and pieces are relatively simplistic compared to the full-sized Battleship, but the idea is the same. We also like that this game is pretty slow-paced which makes it a great option for playing in more quiet spaces like on the airplane or while waiting in a lounge .

The Details : 2 players | Ages 7+ | 1.89 x 6.26 x 9.25 inches

FanVince Magnetic Folding Chess Set

Why We Love It: This sturdy, magnetic game board is perfect for playing on bumpy roads and through turbulence.

What to Consider: The individual pieces feel a little flimsy in hand.

You can’t go wrong with a classic magnetic folding chess board — it’s a travel-sized game staple, afterall. The magnetic design means you don’t have to worry about your pieces falling over while going over bumpy roads or through turbulence, which is a major plus. It’s also super convenient that the board folds into its own carrying case when not in use. Keep in mind that chess is also a very quiet game, so this is absolutely perfect for bringing on a flight with you .

The Details : 2 players | Ages 8+ | 20+ minutes | 9.45 x 9.45 x 0.69 inches

Yellow Mountain Imports Magnetic Backgammon Mini Game Set

Why We Love It: Everything sits inside a compact carrying case that's easy to pack.

What to Consider: There are a lot of small pieces involved that can fall between car or airplane seats.

Backgammon isn't as popular in the United States as other board games, but it's been around for longer than many of them. This board game involves moving your pieces to your opponent's side and then eliminating them from the other side completely. Like any new game, it takes a little time to get used to, but this is a great option on the road, especially if you're bored of chess or checkers. This game uses magnetic pieces that will stay on the board during bumpy rides, and everything can be kept in a convenient zip-up carrying case.

The Details : 2 players | Ages 5+ | 15+ minutes | 14 x 9 x 1 inches

Bananagrams Duel: Ultimate 2 Player Travel Game

Why We Love It: This new take on classic Bananagrams is even more portable than the original.

What to Consider: It’s sort of a watered down version of the grid game.

Bananagrams has always been one of our favorite travel games — like a real banana, it comes with its own carrying case! — but Bananagrams Duel makes it even more travel-friendly. The quick-paced dueling edition is themed and the letter pieces are die-like rather than tile-like, so you won’t see that sprawling word grid from the original edition. But this just means the game requires way less table space to play so you can easily play this one on an airplane tray table without running out of room.

The Details : 2 or more players | Ages 7+ | 10 minutes | 1.18 x 4.72 x 6.69 inches

Winning Moves Games Scrabble To-go Board Game

Why We Love It: The tiny version of Scrabble has snap-in letters that stay in place.

What to Consider: The scaled-down board isn’t as comfortable to use.

Nothing can really compare to Scrabble when it comes to group-friendly word games, but bringing the full-sized board on the road just isn’t practical. That’s why we’re huge fans of the Scrabble To-go board. The compact size makes it easy to throw in your bag while the snap-in letters mean you won’t have to worry about them flying off if you hit a pothole on the road or turbulence in the air. We also love that this one comes with its own carrying case to protect the board and pieces while traveling.

The Details : 2-4 players | Ages 8+ | 30-60 minutes | 10.75 x 10.25 x 6.88 inches

Mad Libs on the Road World's Greatest Word Game

Why We Love It: It’s easy, hilarious, and super portable to play in transit.

What to Consider: The paperback game pages aren’t reusable.

Whether you’re seven years old or 37, Mad Libs will never not be laugh-out-loud funny. Mad Libs on the Road in particular makes for a great travel-friendly option. The silly fill-in-the-blank stories are all about traveling, road trips, and summertime adventures. It’s especially convenient that Mad Libs are about the size of a paperback novel , meaning they won’t take up any space in your luggage. All you need is a pen and a couple of grammar-focused friends and you have all the makings for hours of laughs in the car and beyond.

The Details: 1 player or more | Ages 8+ | 5.25 x 0.2 x 8.38 inches

Ransom Notes The Ridiculous Word Magnet Party Game

Why We Love It: This game combines somewhat crude humor with strategy.

What to Consider: It’s definitely on the raunchy side.

Think of Ransom Notes as a somewhat crude hybrid between those poetry fridge magnets and Cards Against Humanity. You’ll get a prompt and your goal is to create a phrase using only magnets that’ll make some kind of sense to the reader. This ends up being downright hilarious in most cases — and we give the game major bonus points for being magnetic. All the pieces stay firmly in place, making it much easier to use en route to your destination.

The Details : 3 players or more | Ages 17+ | 30-90 minutes | 5.25 x 4 x 4 inches

Hasbro Gaming Classic Boggle Word Search Game

Why We Love It: This word game can even be enjoyed by only one player.

What to Consider: The secure travel lid can be tough to get on and off.

Boggle is going to be a major win in the eyes of Spelling Bee or Wordle fans (so watch out if you’re playing against them). The basic word game requires fast spelling and deduction skills; all you have to do to win is write down as many words as possible from the assortment of letters on the dice to earn the number one spot. It’s a whole lot of fun and takes up minimal space while in transit, too.

The Details : 1 player or more | Ages 8+ | 2.01 x 4.29 x 4.29 inches

Brass Monkey Bin-go Get Some Drinks Bingo Book

Why We Love It: This is great for introverts and anyone who would rather observe a party a bit removed.

What to Consider: It might be awkward to whip this out in an actual bar or restaurant.

Bin-go Get Some Drinks makes any kind of night out even more interesting, especially if you’re someone who tends to observe human behavior in social settings. The somewhat snarky bingo card is packed with the weird things you’ll see in a bar (like witnessing an obvious first date or someone taking a photo of their drink for social media) and is the perfect way for people watchers to spend the night — especially if you find yourself alone in a new city and prefer to observe the crowd over fostering friends right away.

The Details: 1 player or more | Ages 21+ 

Cards Against Humanity Tiny Cards Against Humanity Game

Why We Love It: It’s a great icebreaker in a compact and cute format.

What to Consider: These cards are tiny and might be hard for some to read.

Cards Against Humanity provides instant fun, even at the most dull parties or awkward social events, since there’s just something about dirty words in absurd contexts. That’s why the miniaturized Tiny Cards Against Humanity is such a great game to keep in your back pocket while traveling, especially if you intend on staying in hostels. (Hey, you just never know when you’ll need to pull the ultimate icebreaker out of a pocket!)

The Details : 2 players or more | Ages 17+ | 30 minutes or more | 4.44 x 2.66 x 1.97 inches

All Things Equal, Inc. Loaded Questions On The Go Card Game

Why We Love It: This card game gets conversations going while still providing friendly competition.

What to Consider: There are only so many questions, so you’ll eventually run into duplicates.

All Things Equal: Loaded Questions is one of those card games that can lead to side tangents and deeper conversation if you let it — but it’s also a great way to see how well you know your friends' minds by guessing each other’s answers to given sets of questions. This game is super travel-friendly (all you need is a few pads of paper and pens) and it’s guaranteed to evoke some serious laughs and possible side conversations as well.

The Details : 4-6 players | Ages 8+ | 3.6 x 0.8 x 5.5 inches

Exploding Kittens Card Game

Why We Love It: This card game is fast, fun, and easy to learn.

What to Consider: The rules and concepts of the game are a bit basic.

Exploding Kittens garnered a lot of attention when it was first released and it’s easy to see why. The eye-catching title and cheeky illustrations make this game instantly intriguing. As it turns out, the game is a whole lot of fun for all age groups and it can be played in fifteen minutes or less which makes it a great option for waiting at your airport gate or sneaking a quick game in before heading out to dinner.

The Details : 2-5 players | Ages 7+ | 15 minutes | 4.41 x 6.38 x 1.5 inches

What Do You Meme? Shotgun!: The Card Game for Road Trips

Why We Love It: Everyone can play in the car — even the driver.

What to Consider: It’s not quite as funny as the original What Do You Meme?.

Shotgun! was conceptualized by the same folks who gave us What Do You Meme?, which means you can expect the same level of (somewhat) boundary-pushing humor. The road trip-focused card game doesn’t come with memes or visual cues, but instead uses the sights and sounds on the road as prompts. Card prompts like “first person to say which side the gas tank is on wins a point” and “first person who gets a wave from another car wins two points” will keep everyone in the car on their toes for the drive.

The Details: 2 players or more | Ages 12+ | 1-2 hours | 1.5 x 4.5 x 6.5 inches

Singing Machine Carpool Karaoke The Mic 2.0

Why We Love It: Who wouldn’t want to pretend they’re starring in an episode of Carpool Karaoke?

What to Consider: The Bluetooth setting could be higher quality.

The Carpool Karaoke Machine was designed to make road trips a whole lot more fun. The karaoke microphone pairs with your car’s Bluetooth in order to provide a surround sound experience for all passengers involved (whether that’s good or bad, we’re not sure). The microphone can also be used with your smartphone for DIY karaoke parties at your Airbnb or hotel room — you’ll just want to be mindful of the noise levels.

The Details : 1 player or more | 3.6 x 2.1 x 10.6 inches

Cardinal Cinco Linko

Why We Love It: This is essentially an elevated version of tic-tac-toe, so anyone can pick it up quickly.

What to Consider: The tiles aren't magnetic, so they may slide around during bumpy rides.

Up to four players can enjoy this simple (but competitive) game that involves trying to stack five tiles in a row before another player stops you, similar to tic-tac-toe. The game itself is easy to get into with minimal practice and great for kids and adults alike. We also love that it's built for travel — the waterproof pieces can be stacked and clipped onto a bag during transportation.

The Details : 2-4 players | 2.8 x 8 x 2.8 inches

Hasbro Gaming Connect 4

Why We Love It: This game is simple to pick up on.

What to Consider: There are a ton of little pieces involved.

We love Connect Four — it’s a classic for a reason! The simple game is great for little ones who are still practicing spatial recognition, but honestly, it’s just as fun for adults as well. The game is relatively small (it’s less than 12 inches in length) which is enough room for little fingers to easily use but still small enough to pop into a backpack. Keep in mind, though: there are a number of little coin-sized pieces that come with this game, and they can get messy in the car.

The Details : 2 players | Ages 6+ | 20 minutes | 1.6 x 10.51 x 10.984 inches

Winning Moves Games Pass the Pigs

Why We Love It: This cheeky game is all about tumbling — it was essentially made for turbulence.

What to Consider: The game might become repetitive in smaller groups.

Pass the Pigs is hilariously simple, but there’s something about it that is so much fun. The game includes two pig dice, a dice cup, and a pig scoring guide with a scorepad. The aim of the game is to get as many points as possible by rolling the pigs into different positions like the “snouter” or the “sider.” The best part is that this game was literally made to be thrown around so even if you’re dealing with turbulence you don’t have to worry about your pieces tumbling over.

The Details : 2-7 players | Ages 7+ | 1.75 x 4 x 8.5 inches

Briarpatch I Spy Travel Card Game

Why We Love It: This game is a quiet option to play on the plane.

What to Consider: The game is somewhat solitary; not the best for groups of kids.

The travel-sized version of the classic I Spy children’s book provides endless hours of concentration and focus. The stunning visuals are entertaining in and of themselves but having to hunt for the hidden images makes it even more enjoyable. We also like that it can be played solitary and offers something relatively quiet to play while on the airplane or in other spaces where gameplay banter might not be appropriate.

The Details : 1 player or more | Ages 4+ | 0.75 x 3.75 x 5.75 inches

Taco vs. Burrito Taco vs. Burrito Family Card Game

Why We Love It: This game was created by a kid for other kids.

What to Consider: The instructions on some cards are a little confusing.

Cheeky graphic-focused card games have become pretty popular over the past few years, but we’re still major fans of Taco vs. Burrito. It’s worth noting that the colorful (and super successful) card game was created by a seven-year-old boy with other kids in mind, but it’s just as fun for adults. The basic gameplay is easy to learn and games can be played within 15 minutes — but the action cards are quick to spice things up and add a strategic layer to the game.

The Details : 2-4 players | Ages 6+ | 15 minutes | 7 x 5 x 2 inches

Tricky Riddles for Smart Kids: 333 Difficult But Fun Riddles And Brain Teasers For Kids And Families

Why We Love It: This pack of riddles creates conversation and fosters further curiosity.

What to Consider: There are only about 300 riddles, so the deck might eventually become repetitive.

Kids who love brain teasers will get a kick out of this colorful collection of riddles designed to stump and foster curiosity. The deck is small and easy to transport (it’s about the size of a novel), but it’s packed with hundreds of riddles for kids to work through. The only thing we don’t love is that, while the deck does include lots of options, kids who are keen to work through one after another may deplete them rather quickly.

The Details : 1 player or more | 8-12 | 6 x 0.3 x 9 inches

PlayMonster Take 'n' Play Anywhere Bingo

Why We Love It: Young kids will have fun and work their brains at this matching game.

What to Consider: The marker pieces don't have the strongest magnets.

It can be hard to find games that kids, especially young ones, will find interesting for more than a few minutes at a time. This bingo game might be just what you're looking for — little ones will have fun spinning the spinner (a game in itself) and then using magnetic markers to match the corresponding animals on the board. And as long as your kids are good at taking turns, it can be played by multiple people at once.

The Details : 1 player or more | Ages 4+ | 6.7 x 0.9 x 6.7 inches

Tips for Buying Travel-sized Games

Factor in the needed space.

You’ll want to consider the space required for your chosen game(s) and decide how much luggage space you’re able to offer up. This is where miniature grab-and-go board games and card games will come in handy. Prioritizing card games and smaller games that don’t require a board means you can more easily play your games on the move. If you need a table or flat surface for your game, playing while seated at the terminal or on a train may not be practical.

Figure out the game time

You’ll want an idea of how much time a game takes before deciding to pack it. Card games tend to be faster-paced than board games, and most can be completed in 15-30 minutes. Board games and party games can last a lot longer, continuing for up to two hours in certain cases. This can be great for lazy days at the hotel or Airbnb, but might not be the most practical for passing time at the train station.

Consider player ages

Think of the ages of the players you anticipate sharing games with. If you’re planning a backpacking trip and plan to spend time playing games at your hostel, you’ll probably be safe with just about any card or board game. If you’re meeting up with your family for a vacation, you might want to choose games that are suitable for all ages. Note that some games can be altered to be more PG by removing certain cards or phrases, but it’s best to double-check to ensure everyone in your group can participate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What games are ideal for traveling.

The right games for your travels will greatly depend on what kind of travel you’re doing ( road trip games vary greatly from late-night adult-only games, for example). But, no matter what style of travel you’re up to, you’ll want to look for games that are small enough to easily fit in your luggage without being imposing. Opt for games that don’t have many loose pieces or take up too much space when in use. Card games are your best bet if you anticipate playing on the road frequently, but travel-sized board games can also work (especially if they come in a magnetic format).

Are there travel-sized board games?

Yes! There are plenty of travel-sized board games available and many come with their own carrying case or magnetic material that further simplifies the overall travel experience. You won’t find every single board game available in a travel size, but you’ll definitely be able to find the classics from Hasbro like Clue , Monopoly , and more .

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Travel + Leisure contributor Kaitlyn McInnis used her experience as a travel writer and former lifestyle editor as well as her own research to curate a list of the best travel-sized games available.

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26 Best Travel Board Games (2024)

Battling boredom on long journeys? This ultimate list of the 26 Best Travel Board Games will equip you with endless entertainment options, transforming any aeroplane seat or car ride into a fun zone.

Forget staring out the window or battling for control of the in-flight entertainment system – these portable board games promise strategic showdowns, creative thinking, and hilarious moments of shared joy. So pack your bags, grab your game, and get ready to discover a world of entertainment that fits perfectly in your carry-on.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Best Travel Board Games

Here are 26 of the best travel board games guaranteed to keep everyone entertained on your next adventure:

1. P for Pizza Board Game

P for Pizza is the ultimate takeaway game for your holidays, combining the excitement of fast-paced wordplay with the fun of travel. In this engaging game, players must quickly shout out words linking a letter on one card to a category on another, making it a must-have addition to any family game list. Imagine a food starting with ‘P’ or a celebrity starting with ‘B’—the challenge is to be the quickest to win your slice of the pie. The first to collect six pizza cards and build a giant pizza slice wins. With colour-coded categories to indicate difficulty levels and a design friendly to those with red-green colour vision deficiency, this compact, plastic-free game is perfect for 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up. Easy to learn and quick to play, P for Pizza ensures family fun on the go—just be sure to have a real pizza ready if you get hungry!

Price : £11.99

Rating : 4.6 / 5

Popularity : 3,203 ratings

2. Qwirkle: Travel Edition

Qwirkle: Travel Edition is an engaging block game that seamlessly blends logic and strategy with simple, easy-to-learn rules. Players aim to create columns and rows of matching colours and shapes, scoring higher points by placing tiles that work in multiple directions. Ideal for travel, this edition features 3/4-inch solid wood tiles neatly packed in a zippered pouch, making it compact and portable. With 108 tiles and suitable for 2 to 4 players, Qwirkle: Travel Edition promises hours of strategic fun on the go.

Price : £21.99

Rating : 4.7 / 5

Popularity : 4,007 ratings

3. Can U Find It First Travel Edition

abeec Can U Find It First Travel Edition is a compact and engaging travel board game perfect for families on the go. This new addition to Abeec’s range is designed for easy packing in your travel bag or suitcase, allowing you to enjoy a favourite board game wherever you are. Ideal for quick-thinking and fun-filled play, it’s suitable for kids aged 4-8 and can be enjoyed by all the family. The game features a double-sided board that provides endless entertainment, making it an excellent gift for children who love puzzles and family games. Players piece together the jigsaw board, draw an object card, and race to spot the item on the board, with the first to find it keeping the card. The set includes 4 double-sided jigsaw board pieces, 100 object cards, an object card bag, and instructions, ensuring varied and addictive gameplay.

Price : £9.99

Rating : 4.3 / 5

Popularity : 256 ratings

4. Sushi Go

Sushi Go is a fast-paced and engaging card game where players aim to create the best combination of sushi dishes as they pass by. Players score points for making the most Maki Rolls or completing a set of Sashimi, striving to gather the highest score and claim the title of sushi master. This game combines elements of probability, visual discrimination, and strategic thinking, making it a fantastic filler game for any occasion. With bright, quirky illustrations and simple rules, Sushi Go is easy for anyone to learn and enjoy. The game also involves set collection and hand management, with fun twists like dipping Nigiri in Wasabi to triple its value. However, be sure to save room for dessert, or it will affect your score! Sushi Go’s delightful theme and engaging mechanics will leave you hungry for more.

Price : £9.70

Popularity : 15,950 ratings

5. More or Less Card Game

More or Less is an engaging quiz card game that revolves around fun trivia questions. Players guess whether a given statement is “more” or “less,” such as whether sharks are older than trees or if more than 500,000 meatballs are consumed daily in Ikea stores. Suitable for two or more players aged 12 and up, the game’s simple rules make it accessible for children, teens, and adults alike, offering a 50/50 chance of guessing correctly even if you don’t know the answer. Beyond the entertainment, it provides educational value and lots of laughs. Expansion packs in “History,” “Geography,” and “Science & Nature” are available for those who want to broaden their trivia collection. Ideal as a gift, More or Less is perfect for birthdays, baby showers, travel, or sleepovers. Created by a small British company, this game offers a unique twist on trivia, encouraging players to rely on intuition as much as memory. Explore the full range of More or Less games for more trivia fun.

Price : £11.95

Rating : 4.4 / 5

Popularity : 4,679 ratings

6. PASS THE PIGS Dice Game

The Original Party Animals is the quintessential family and travel game for pig enthusiasts. Players aim to be the first to reach 100 points by tossing their pigs and scoring based on how they land—perhaps achieving a Leaning Jowler, a Double Snouter, or the elusive Piggy Back. The game comes in an elegant silver travel case, which includes a rulebook, scorecards, two pencils, and two pigs, making it both stylish and convenient. Its portability and simplicity make this addictive game perfect for on-the-go entertainment or home play.

Popularity : 1,523 ratings

7. Monopoly Hasbro Gaming Grab & Go Game

Monopoly Grab & Go is a compact, portable version of the classic Monopoly game, perfect for playing anywhere. It includes all the iconic properties, Community Chest cards, and Chance cards, ensuring an authentic Monopoly experience. Designed for 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up, this version features part storage within the game board for convenience. Trade your way to success and be prepared for whatever surprises the Chance and Community Chest cards bring. Monopoly Grab & Go offers a perfect, compact way to enjoy Monopoly fun anytime and anywhere.

Price : £9.86

Rating : 4.1 / 5

Popularity : 1,176 ratings

8. Azul Mini

Take your favourite family game anywhere with the travel-friendly Azul Mini. This strategic tile-placement game features a plastic overlay on the player board to keep your tiles securely in place and a plastic travel tray to prevent the factory display tiles from moving. In Azul, players become artisans tasked with creating stunning tiled mosaics by drafting tiles from a central market and placing them into rows on their boards. The simple rules involve selecting and playing tiles on your turn, but strategic planning is essential to score big points while disrupting your opponents’ plans. Over-collecting a tile type can cost points, while incomplete rows won’t score. Inspired by the historical azulejos tiles introduced by the Moors and embraced by the Portuguese king Manuel I, Azul challenges players to embellish the Royal Palace of Evora. Points are awarded based on tile placement, specific patterns, and completing sets, while wasted supplies reduce scores. The player with the highest score at the end wins.

Price : £19.99

Popularity : 335 ratings

9. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a high-octane, energetic game akin to Slap Jack and Irish Snap, brimming with hand-slapping excitement. This fast-paced and straightforward party game revolves around five key words—Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza. Players race to slap the central pile of cards when the card matches the spoken word, creating an atmosphere of thrilling chaos. The first to get rid of all their cards wins. With its unique name and addictive gameplay, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is perfect for any gathering. Suitable for 2 to 8 players, with a playtime of just 10 minutes, it’s ideal for ages 8 and up.

Price : £10.00

10. Bananagrams

Bananagrams is a fast-paced, anagram game that guarantees fun for everyone as players race to build crossword grids, driving everyone bananas in the best way possible. Both entertaining and educational, this game helps children learn to spell while having fun. Ideal for travel, Bananagrams comes in a compact, banana-shaped case, making it easy to pack and perfect for on-the-go entertainment. It also makes a thoughtful gift suitable for both boys and girls. The game is simple yet addictive, with players aiming to use all their letters to complete a word grid, with the first to do so being crowned “Top Banana.” Designed for 2-6 players aged 7 and up, Bananagrams requires no pencil, paper, or board, offering a portable and engaging experience wherever you are.

Price : £14.99

Rating : 4.8 / 5

Popularity : 31,545 ratings

11. Battleship Grab and Go Game

Take command of the seas on the move with Battleship Grab & Go, a compact version of the classic naval combat game. Each game unit cleverly opens to block your opponent’s view, adding strategy to the battle. Track your shots with red and white pegs as you deploy carriers, battleships, submarines, destroyers, and cruisers on the ocean grid. This portable edition includes everything needed for intense gameplay: 2 game units, 10 ships, and pegs for scoring. After the battle, store the pegs inside the units and slide them together for easy storage. Whether at home or travelling, Battleship Grab & Go ensures you’ll dominate the oceans in this thrilling game of strategy and skill.

Price : £10.99

Popularity : 3,133 ratings

12. 100 PICS Riddles Travel Card Game

Discover 100 RIDDLES TO SOLVE, a delightful collection of brain teasers perfect for entertaining and puzzling family and friends. This pocket-sized game packs a punch with its interactive format: open the four doors to reveal colourful question cards, make your guess, and slide to uncover the answer. It’s an ideal present or stocking filler for kids aged 7 and up who enjoy a challenge, offering hours of screen-free entertainment on the go—in cars, restaurants, planes, and trains. This handy travel activity not only entertains but also boosts vocabulary, spelling, and memory skills, making it a recommended choice by The Good Toy Guide.

Rating : 4.5 / 5

Popularity : 8,471 ratings

13. Rummikub Travel game

Rummikub Travel offers all the thrills of the classic numbers strategy game in a compact, portable format. Perfect for day trips or staycations, this fast-paced game of tile manipulation challenges players to be the first to clear their rack by forming number runs or sets. The smaller tiles and collapsible racks make it easy to pack and play anywhere, with the box lid doubling as a convenient pool for communal tiles. Ideal for 2-4 players aged 7 and up, Rummikub Travel ensures hours of engaging gameplay whether you’re on the move or enjoying a break closer to home.

Price : £14.90

Popularity : 2,373 ratings

Boggle is the ultimate head-to-head word search game where players compete to find the most words within a time limit to emerge victorious. Shake up the letters, flip the timer, and race against the clock to spot as many words as possible. Perfect for solo play, challenge yourself to beat your own high score.

Price : £8.99

Popularity : 6,405 ratings

15. 5 Second Rule Mini Travel Card Game

Discover the mini version of 5 Second Rule, a dynamic family card game designed for portable play wherever you go. Challenge yourself and others to name three things in just 5 seconds from each card—it’s a test of quick thinking and spontaneous answers! With 90 content cards featuring 180 questions, alongside PASS ON and SWITCH cards for added variety, this game promises lively entertainment and plenty of laughter. Whether you’re on a journey or gathered at home, 5 Second Rule Mini delivers fast-paced fun that everyone can enjoy.

Price : £8.49

Popularity : 1,829 ratings

16. Mini Colourbrain

Mini Colourbrain offers a travel-sized version of the popular party game, perfect for families on the go. With 120 all-new questions and a focus on quick play (around 20 minutes), it keeps things light and engaging. Teams work together to match colour cards to wacky questions (think Superman’s underpants!), earning points for correct answers and gaining an edge if other teams stumble. Easy to learn with a short playtime, Mini Colourbrain is a great choice for groups of 2-20 players aged 12 and up.

Popularity : 8,085 ratings

17. Cluedo Grab & Go Game

A travel-friendly adaptation of the classic whodunit, Cluedo Grab & Go condenses the suspense of Clue into a compact format. Players aged 8 and up (3-6 players) can use the all-in-one unit to store and track clues with the included detective notebook. The familiar gameplay involves using Guest, Room, and Weapon cards to solve the murder mystery, with secret passages on the game board adding a twist. With all components neatly stored within the unit, Cluedo Grab & Go is perfect for solving crimes on the go.

Price : £6.99

Popularity : 1,448 ratings

18. Mini Best of Kids Board Game

Mini Best of Kids shrinks the UK’s favourite family logo game down to a travel-friendly size. This mini edition features 58 all-new cards with a mix of Picture, Theme, and Potluck categories, all designed to keep kids entertained with funny questions. The fold-out board and compact box make it perfect for on-the-go fun, while the simple rules and 2-team gameplay ensure easy pick-up-and-play for ages 7 and up. This miniature version is sure to become a travel essential for families looking to keep everyone entertained.

Popularity : 1,190 ratings

19. OK Play

OK Play delivers addictive strategy in a compact, travel-friendly package. Players (2-4, ages 8+) choose a colour and race to create a line of five tiles, blocking opponents while developing their own tactics. This award-winning game (including “Best Family Game” from Imagination Gaming and a 2018 Parent’s Choice Award) is praised for its simple rules (learned in seconds), surprising depth, and durability – perfect for family fun on the go, with the box even clipping to your bag for portability. Be warned though, even young players can develop cunning strategies, so victory isn’t guaranteed for grown-ups!

Popularity : 3,493 ratings

20. Travel Chess Set 3 in 1 Set

This 3-in-1 travel set offers chess, backgammon, and checkers in a compact and portable format. The magnetic board and pieces ensure frustration-free play, even on the go, as pieces won’t fall off due to bumps or jostles. The folding board unfolds to reveal separate sides for backgammon and chess/checkers, making it a versatile choice for families. While the magnetic pieces make it ideal for travel, the set is also a great choice for home use, offering a quiet and mess-free way to challenge your strategic thinking or bond with your child.

Price : £15.98

Popularity : 1,868 ratings

21. 4 in a Row Game

A strategic travel must-have, the classic 4 in a Row offers fun for all ages. This 2-player game challenges you to be the first to connect four coloured discs horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The simple rules make it easy for even young children to pick up, while the all-in-one, folding design ensures convenient portability. Made with safe, high-quality materials, it’s perfect for keeping you entertained on the go, whether you’re on a plane, train, or car journey. Plus, the compact size makes it ideal for storing in hand luggage, and the quick reset time allows for endless rounds of fun.

Price : £5.95

Popularity : 2,665 ratings

22. Magnetic Snakes & Ladders

A travel-friendly take on the classic, Magnetic Snakes & Ladders offers frustration-free fun for families on the go. This foldaway board features magnetic playing pieces that won’t tumble off during play, ensuring a smooth journey from square one to the coveted 100th spot. The easy-to-learn rules make it a great choice for players aged 6 and up, while the compact size and storage within the board itself guarantee easy portability for entertaining car journeys or downtime at your destination.

Price : £6.14

Popularity : 131 ratings

23. Catan Travel Edition

Catan shrinks down to travel size with Catan Traveler: Compact Edition! This faithful adaptation offers the classic Catan gameplay for 2-4 players aged 10+ in a cleverly designed portable format. The board is built from six rearranging sections for variable layouts, and all pieces (including roads, settlements, and cities) have locking pegs for secure play. A built-in dice shaker ensures convenient rolling, while the two-player variant caters to single travel companions. With a compact size, quick setup, and the familiar Catan experience, Catan Traveler is a must-have for any Catan enthusiast on the go.

Price : £43.99

Popularity : 454 ratings

24. Sounds Fishy

Sounds Fishy redefines bluffing games for families and adults. This fast-paced, party game combines creativity with a dash of deception. Players invent wacky answers to outlandish questions, with the goal of convincing the guesser that their fabricated answer is the real deal. With simple rules and a focus on quick play, there’s no time to get bogged down – just dive in, unleash your imagination, and see if you can “reel in” the guesser. Packed with content for endless replayability, Sounds Fishy is a perfect choice for game nights or family gatherings, offering something for everyone – trivia buffs, creative minds, and even sneaky strategists.

Popularity : 1,766 ratings

Fuelled by deception and cunning, Coup is a fast-paced card game for 2-6 players ages 14+. In this game of intrigue, you represent a family vying for power in a corrupt Italian city-state. Each player holds two secret character cards, each with unique abilities like assassination or income generation. The key to victory lies in bluffing and manipulating your opponents. Will you truthfully claim to be a Duke, levying taxes, or will you gamble with a bluff, potentially losing your hard-earned influence? With quick rounds averaging 15 minutes, Coup is a perfect choice for a thrilling and portable game night on the go.

Price : £18.19

Popularity : 14,142 ratings

26. Rummy Game

This travel-friendly Rummy set includes everything you need for a fun game on the go. The pack includes 106 high-quality tiles, four sturdy playing racks, and a convenient zippered storage bag. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, the included updated rules and instructions make it easy to pick up and play. Rummy is a great way to challenge your mind and develop strategic thinking, while the social aspect makes it perfect for entertaining friends and family during your travels.

Price : £17.99

Popularity : 3,231 ratings

For more board game recommendations see these posts:

• 25 Best Board Games for 4-Year-Olds
• 25 Best Board Games For 5-Year-Olds
• 28 Best Board Games For 6-Year-Olds

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best board games for plane travel.

While any game on this list can be enjoyed on a plane, for aeroplane travel specifically, some games shine brighter than others. Here are a few key considerations: 

• Size and Weight: Opt for games with compact boxes and lightweight components that won’t take up precious tray space. 
• Playing Time: Aim for games with shorter playtimes (around 30 minutes or less) to ensure you can finish a round or two comfortably within the confines of a flight. 
• Complexity:  Stick to games with simple rules that can be learned quickly, especially if you’re playing with fellow passengers you just met.
• Fiddly Components: Avoid games with excessively small pieces that could easily get lost in the aeroplane environment. 

Considering these factors, some top picks for plane travel include card games (like Sushi Go! or Coup), tile-laying games (like Qwirkle Travel Edition), and quick strategic games like Bananagrams.

Should you play board games while travelling?

Absolutely! Board games are a fantastic way to elevate your travel experience in several ways. They combat boredom during long journeys, sparking laughter, friendly competition, and shared moments of connection. Travel games are compact and lightweight, making them ideal for limited spaces like aeroplanes or train cars. They also provide a welcome break from screen time, encouraging social interaction and strategic thinking. Whether you’re playing with family, friends, or even striking up a conversation with fellow travellers, board games can transform any downtime into an opportunity for fun and connection. So next time you pack your bags, consider adding a travel-sized board game – it might just be the secret weapon to a more enjoyable and memorable journey.

What are the best travel board games for 2 players?

For two-player adventures, this list offers a fantastic selection! Here are some highlights to consider:

• Strategic Showdowns: Chess (Travel Chess Set) and Azul Mini provide classic head-to-head battles that challenge your planning and foresight.
• Fast-Paced Fun: Sushi Go!, Bananagrams, and OK Play offer quick bursts of strategic thinking and competition, perfect for shorter journeys or keeping energy levels high.
• Wordplay and Trivia: Boggle, 100 Pics Riddles Travel Card Game, and 5 Second Rule Mini Travel Card Game test your vocabulary and general knowledge in a lighthearted way.
• Deduction and Observation: Can U Find It First Travel Edition challenges your visual acuity, while Cluedo Grab & Go lets you hone your detective skills as you solve a miniature whodunnit.
• Social and Cooperative: While some games on this list are purely competitive, options like Pass the Pigs and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza offer a more social and interactive experience, perfect for fostering laughter and connection.

So there you have it – 26 fantastic travel board games to keep boredom at bay and fuel the fun on your next journey! Whether you crave strategic battles, creative thinking exercises, or side-splitting laughter, this diverse selection offers something for every kind of travel companion.

But the fun doesn’t stop here! We want to hear from you too. What are your favourite travel board games? Share your must-pack picks in the comments below.

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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• Board Games

The 13 Best Travel Board Games You Can Play Anywhere (Even on a Plane)

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When you're stuck in a plane, train, or even the backseat of a car, you need a way to kill time... and board games are great for that!

Of course, mobile games are more convenient—unless you're like me and prone to motion sickness. Plus, these days I much prefer the tactile experience of cards and pieces, and we could all stand to spend less time staring at digital screens.

So, I think everyone should have at least one portable board game or card game that they can take with them while traveling!

What makes a great travel board game?

• Small box. When you're traveling, space is at a premium. Carrying the game around shouldn't be a nuisance and it should fit comfortably inside a carry-on bag. If the entire game can fit inside your pocket, that's as good as it gets!
• Minimal footprint. It can't take up too much table space. (Ideally, no table space at all!) Plus, it should have very few components. Not only are game pieces hard to handle while traveling, they're easy to accidentally bump off and lose forever.
• Length and replayability. Whether your flight is 1 hour or 12 hours, the game should keep you engaged and help make time fly by. But it should also be under an hour per game so you aren't forced to cut it short if it happens to run too long.

Here are my picks for the best travel board games that are tiny, portable, and able to be played pretty much anywhere!

Note: You'll notice a distinct lack of Button Shy games on this list. While Button Shy games are famously tiny—each game is only 18 cards—they tend to take up a lot of table space. I've yet to find one that can comfortably play on an airplane tray.

13. The Mind

Designed by Wolfgang Warsch

Supports 2 to 4 players

About 15 to 20 minutes

The Mind is a cooperative card game where everyone has their own hand of cards—from a deck numbered 1 through 100—and the goal is to play all cards in ascending order... without ANY communication.

With larger starting hands, the game gets more difficult. You start on Level 1 with one card each, then Level 2 with two cards each, up to whatever Level you can reach. Or you can just play (and replay) it on whatever Level you want to see how often you can win.

The Mind is a great card game for planes because it's mainly held in your hands (all cards played to a single pile) and the no-communication rule is a good fit when you're stuck in a loud plane with others around you.

Designed by Mark Tuck

Supports 1 player

About 5 to 15 minutes

Grove is a brilliant solo puzzle-style card game that only consists of 18 cards and 15 dice that are used as point trackers.

The cards are basically tiles, which you place by overlapping previously played cards. When you overlap trees of the same color, you increase the value of those trees (which are tracked using the dice).

How bountiful will your grove be? Grove is a beat-your-own-score type game with a lot of replayability. The backs of each card have different victory conditions for variety.

Each game of Grove is relatively short but punchy, and it's a fantastic game to play while traveling.

11. Timeline

Designed by Frédéric Henry

Supports 2 to 8 players

Timeline is a compact card game about figuring out where different events belong on a timeline.

Players have a hand of cards that each depict a specific event. Cards are played to a shared timeline and on each turn you have to place one card into the timeline. If it's not placed correctly, you draw another card. Otherwise, first to get rid of their cards wins!

Timeline is less about knowing the exact years when things happened and more about logically reasoning when things happened in relation to events already in the timeline. It's fun even if you know zero history!

Note: Timeline comes in several themed packs, which can be mixed and matched for more variety and difficulty. In addition to Timeline Inventions , there's also:

• Timeline Classic
• Timeline Events
• Timeline British History

Designed by Martino Chiacchiera, Hjalmar Hach, and Pierluca Zizzi

Similo is a deduction game where one player is trying to get everyone else to guess the right character from a grid of twelve.

On each turn, the active player plays a card and marks it as either SIMILAR or DIFFERENT. Based on that, the other players have to eliminate characters from the grid. If the correct character remains at the end, everyone shares victory!

Similo is like a better, more compact, and more fun Guess Who . The grid is randomized every time so there's replayability, plus the discussions that arise during elimination can be surprisingly funny.

Note: Similo comes in several themed packs, which can be mixed and matched for more variety and difficulty. In addition to Similo History , there's also:

• Similo Myths
• Similo Fables
• Similo Animals
• Similo Wild Animals
• Similo Harry Potter

9. Hive Pocket

Designed by John Yianni

Supports 2 players

About 20 to 40 minutes

Hive is one of the best head-to-head two-player board games if you want a pure abstract strategy game—and Hive Pocket is the portable travel edition that you can take anywhere.

There's no board in Hive ; the pieces ARE the board! As you place pieces and move them around, they dictate where future pieces can be placed and moved to. Each insect type has its own rules for how to move.

Hive Pocket has a tiny footprint and the tiles are made of durable plastic resin that's satisfying to play with. Moreover, Hive Pocket comes with two expansion insects already included!

Designed by Kei Kajino

Supports 2 to 5 players

Scout is a ladder-climbing card-shedding game in the style of Crazy Eights or Chinese Poker , but it has a few twists that take it to the next level and make it one of the best in the genre.

First, you can't re-order your hand once it's dealt. Second, when you play cards, you collect the cards played by the previous player. Third, if you can't play any cards, you "scout" by taking a card from the previous player and adding it to your hand—and they earn a point.

When someone empties their hand, the round ends. Each player scores a point for each card they collected plus any scout points they earned.

Scout is a simple but deep card game that feels like an old-school card game but plays like a modern classic. It's the perfect travel card game for families who want something a little meatier.

7. The Crew: Mission Deep Sea

Designed by Thomas Sing

The Crew: Mission Deep Sea is a cooperative trick-taking card game—a lot like Euchre or Hearts , except everyone is trying to accomplish certain tasks and helping others to achieve their tasks.

Examples of tasks in this game: "Win exactly 2 Blue cards" or "Win only the last trick" or "Win at least 1 card of each color." There are nearly 100 task cards and a random set is chosen every game.

The hard part is, there's no communication allowed! Except using the one-time communication token. With that token, you can reveal one card and mark it as either your HIGHEST of that color, your LOWEST of that color, or your ONLY card of that color.

Trick-taking card games have been a staple of societies for centuries, but the cooperative twist in The Crew: Mission Deep Sea makes it one of the best of its kind. It's so addictive!

6. Zombie Dice: Horde Edition

Designed by Steve Jackson

Supports 2 to 100 players

About 10 to 20 minutes

Want to play a travel board game that's literally nothing but a set of 13 custom dice? Then Zombie Dice is your jam. ( Zombie Dice: Horde Edition includes the base game plus both expansions!)

In Zombie Dice , you're rolling and re-rolling three dice at a time, trying to score as many Brains as you can on your turn. Dice with Footsteps can be re-rolled, but dice with Shotguns can't—and if you ever have three Shotguns showing, you lose all the Brains from that round.

This is one of the purest push-your-luck games in existence, and it's so compact that you can play anywhere. Just make sure to roll inside the box cover to minimize the risk of losing any dice!

Designed by Steffen Benndorf

Qwixx is what's known as a "roll and write" game: you roll dice, then use the results to write on your score pad.

In Qwixx , you're trying to fill out blocks 2 to 12 for each of four colors. The thing is, once you fill in a block, you can no longer fill any blocks to the left of that block for that particular color.

Once a player has five blocks filled in a color, they can choose to lock that color (no one else can fill that color anymore). Once two colors are locked, the game ends. The more blocks you've filled, the more points!

Ultimately, this game is a balancing act between smart decisions and pushing your luck. Qwixx packs a ton of fun into such a small box, and it's so easy to play anywhere—even on a plane.

4. Love Letter

Designed by Seiji Kanai

About 15 to 30 minutes

Love Letter is one of the best portable card games of all time. It consists of a deck of 16 cards numbered from 1 to 8, with higher-value cards rarer than the lower-value cards.

This is a game of deduction and hand management. Each player starts with 1 card and the entire game is played like so: draw a card, play a card. The winner is whoever has the highest-value card in hand at the end.

But here's the twist: each card also has a special ability that triggers when played. One lets you peek at another's hand, another lets you trade hands, another lets you name a player and a card—if they're holding that card, they get eliminated from the round.

A round of Love Letter plays in just a few minutes, and whoever is first to win a predetermined number of rounds wins the game.

3. Fantasy Realms

Designed by Bruce Glassco

Supports 2 to 6 players

Fantasy Realms is my ultimate choice for portable card game. It's easy to learn and compact in size, with tons of gameplay packed in.

The game consists of a deck of 53 cards: 10 suits of 5 cards each, plus 3 wild cards. Each card has a base point value as well as a scoring mechanism that grants extra points (or loses points) depending on what other cards you have in your hand.

Players start with a hand of 7 cards, then turns are as a simple as drawing a card and discarding a card. Your hand at the end of the game determines your score and highest score wins.

Fantasy Realms can be taken anywhere and plays quickly. Every game is different as you try to figure out the best way to manage your own hand, and you can kill so much time without getting bored.

Note: Scoring can be unwieldy in Fantasy Realms , but the scoring companion app makes it much easier—just pick the cards in your hand and it'll spit out your score.

2. Palm Island

Designed by Jon Mietling

Supports 1 to 2 players

There's one thing about Palm Island that makes it so perfect as a travel card game: it can play entirely in the palm of your hand. You don't even need a table or a lap! No other game is this portable.

Palm Island consists of 17 double-sided cards, with each side split into top and bottom halves. You'll go through the deck several times, tapping cards into resources then spending resources to upgrade cards (i.e. rotating and flipping them to their better actions).

It's a simple but thinky solo game that's played in a beat-your-own-score manner, so there's plenty of replayability.

But the key feature of Palm Island truly is its portability. Hand-only games are exceedingly rare and very few of them are worth playing long-term. Palm Island is the best of its kind.

1. Dungeons, Dice & Danger

Designed by Richard Garfield

Supports 1 to 4 players

About 45 to 60 minutes

Dungeons, Dice & Danger is the meatiest experience you'll find for a game that's nothing more than a sheet of paper, a pencil, and five dice. You can really play it anywhere and lose yourself in it.

On your turn, you roll the four white dice and split the results into two pairs. Then, everyone uses those two pairs to mark off rooms on their personal dungeon sheet. (The active roller can also use the fifth black die to substitute one of the whites, but no one else can.)

You can only mark rooms that are adjacent to rooms you've already visited, and if you have no rooms to mark on a turn, you lose health which will reduce your score at the end.

You'll also be finding gems, looting treasure, unlocking special actions, and fighting monsters for more ways to earn points.

It's both surprising and impressive to get this much game out of just five dice. If you're going to be traveling a lot—especially on planes—I highly recommend Dungeons, Dice & Danger above all else.

41 Best Travel Games 2024: Tried & Tested

By: Author James McAlister

We always make sure we carry a couple of our best travel games with us no matter what trip we’re on. Because travel isn’t all about beautiful beaches and exciting adventure.

Sometimes we need a bit of downtime and relaxation. Other times we want to get the party started. And believe it or not there are plenty of situations where we even get pretty bored (think travel delays).

We’ve always loved playing games. So for us they’re the perfect way to pass away a few hours in an airport, entertain ourselves after a long day of exploring and even make new friends.

If you’re wondering which ones should make it into your backpack, we’ve put together a list of the best travel games on the market right now.

Post Contents

Our Top 5 Best Travel Games

After being taught Dobble by our young nephew, we absolutely fell in love with it!

Okay, so this one is technically a kids card game. But once you play it you’ll understand why it’s also one of the best travel games for adults.

Basic premise

Everyone has played snap as a child and Dobble takes its basic premise and elevates it to a.whole.nother.level. It’s like “snap” on steroids.

There are five different travel card games within Dobble, all of them as simple as it gets. Every card has 8 pictures on it, each with one symbol in common with every other card.

Players all go at the same time to try and spot the matching symbols and either accumulate or pass cards on to opponents depending on which game you’re playing.

You can have up to 8 players involved at a time, but it’s also one of the best travel games for 2 adults. Dobble is a good one to break down language barriers as well because it’s so simple to get.

• A card game of speed, observation and reflexes. Race to find the one matching image between one card and another

What makes it awesome

Dobble gets pretty raucous. Shouting, snatching and even hand slapping are all unavoidable as you get swept up in the excitement. Undoubtedly one of the best mini travel games available.

Players: 2-8

Expect: rip roaring fun

Game Time: 10 minutes

Size & Weight: 2.1 x 2 x 1.2 inches, 7.4 ounces

Rules: Read here

2. Monopoly Deal

The traditional Monopoly isn’t really a practical game to carry with you when you travel. And let’s be honest, no one actually enjoys it do they.

Come on, strip away the nostalgia and you’re left with a pretty ridiculous, never ending snorefest that could be renamed Monotony (I’m prepared for the backlash).

But the clever guys at Hasbro have reimagined one of the most iconic board games ever made as a wicked card game.

Basic premise:

It retains the fun bits of traditional Monopoly so you still play as a real estate tycoon trying to collect sets of properties.

You still have to come up with a kickass strategy, treading the line between boosting your bank balance and building your empire. And you can still go from kingpin to down and out in one swift turn of fate.

But that’s where the similarities end.

Collect property cards to complete sets and money cards to build your fortune while swapping and stealing your way to glory.

• QUICK-PLAYING MONOPOLY CARD GAME: swap, steal and scheme in the Monopoly Deal card game – a family favourite! It’s all the fun of the Monopoly game in a fast-paced card game for children and adults.

Monopoly Deal is one of the best travel card games out there. It’s fast paced, exciting and we’ve met people of various nationalities who love playing it all over the world.

Players: 2-5

Expect: rapid gameplay

Game Time: 15 minutes

Size & Weight: 0.8 x 3.6 x 5.6 inches, 4 ounces

Alternatively known as Skull and Roses, it’s like a picture version of poker played with beautifully designed components. After one game you’ll be hooked, we guarantee it.

Each player has three circular cards with a rose on and one with a skull as well as an individual double sided game board.

Players take it in turns to place a card of their choice on the game card face down, this continues until one player decides to make a challenge.

They do that by making a guess at how many roses they can flip before hitting a skull. If you get it correct then you turn your game board over and you have to turn your game board twice to win.

• Skull is the quintessential bluffing game

You have to kid and calculate your way to victory in this straightforward game of bluff. It involves a mixture of skill, memory and luck.

This is one of the best travel games adults everywhere will enjoy playing on their adventures.

Players: 3-6

Game Time: 30 minutes

Size & Weight: 2.1 x 5.2 x 5.2 inches, 1.01 pounds

4. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

This simple game is bound to get your tongue in a twist and the party started. Anyone can play, but it hurts to win.

Cards are distributed evenly among all of the players, face down without anyone looking at them. There are 5 different cards, taco, cat, goat, cheese, and pizza – hence the game´s name.

The first player takes the first card from the top of their deck, turns it over while saying “taco”. The next player follows suit but says “cat”, the third player does the same but says “goat” and so on.

Play continues like this until the card laid matches what the person playing it says. At which point everyone tries to avoid being the last person to slap their hand down on it.

If you´re too slow your hand will end up on top of the pile of everyone else´s hands. This means you must take all of the cards underneath and put them into your deck.

But there’s a twist – the deck contains three special cards. If you pull a gorilla, you must beat your chest before slapping the pile. If you draw a groundhog card you need to tap the tabletop with both hands before slapping the pile. And if you get a narwhal you need to make a horn above your head with your hands before slapping the pile.

Any mess ups or mistakes result in the player taking the pile, so no flinching or pretending or even pausing. The winner is the first person to get rid of all their cards and then win another round with no cards in their deck.

• Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza! Keep these five crazy words in mind!

If the name itself doesn´t make you smile then you´re dead inside. This is the simplest of games but will keep you entertained for hours. Or until your knuckles are raw from them being repeatedly slapped. This could get rowdy.

Players: 3-8

Size & Weight: 3.5 x 2.5 x 1 inches, 3.52 ounces

5. Bananagrams

Calling all wordsmiths – if you’re a fan of Scrabble or any similar word games then you’ll enjoy Bananagrams. It also comes in a cute banana shaped carry pouch perfect for chucking in your luggage. One of the most convenient mini travel games.

144 tiles with different letters (called the bunch) on are placed face down on the playing surface. Each player selects the same number of tiles, the exact number varies depending on how many player there are. They are placed face down in front of the respective players. There are still some remaining in the bunch.

Once everyone has their tiles, anyone can shout “split” and the game begins. Players must then turn all their tiles face up. The aim is to get rid of all your tiles by creating words, but they must all interlink like a crossword. There are no turns, each player works as quickly as possible on their own grid.

If a player uses up all their letters, they take a new letter from the bunch and shout “peel”. This means that everyone else playing must also take a tile.

If a player wants to swap a bad tile then they can return it to the bunch by shouting “dump”. However, in exchange they have to pick up 3 tiles.

Players can’t win until there are less tiles in the bunch than players. Once this happens, the first player to use up all their tiles and shout “bananagrams” wins. That’s providing all their words are legit. If there are bad spellings then they’re crowned the “rotten banana” instead.

• Bananagrams Classic is a fast and captivating word game. Every player tries to build their letters first into a word grid

This game is easy to learn, quick to play, and highly addictive. You don’t need to know long words, you just have to be able to string words together. It’s fun in small or large groups.

Players: 2+

Game Time: 5 minutes

Size & Weight: 9 x 3 x 3 inches, 4.8 ounces

Best Travel Board Games

Pass the pigs.

This is a classic version of the old dice game “pigs” that uses actual miniature model pigs instead of dice. It all packs down into a small plastic case making it one of the best games for travel.

Players take it in turns to throw the pigs like dice. They then gain or lose points depending on how they land. Positions include pig-themed names like “Pig Out”, “Trotter”, and “Snouter”. Each combination means a different thing and can see players making big gains or huge losses.

A turn lasts until a player decides to stop and cash in. That’s unless they completely wipe out their current or total score before doing so. If they stop in time to accumulate a score on their turn then it’s added to their total score. The game then progresses to the next player and the first player to reach 100 points wins.

• The Original Party Animals – the classic family and travel game for pig lovers everywhere

The element of luck keeps it tense as players have to decide when to stick or twist. Yet there’s still enough strategy and skill involved to make a difference. Big highs and massive lows can see you going from hero to zero and back again in quick succession.

Players: 2-4

Size & Weight: 1.8 x 4 x 8.5 inches, 0.32 ounces

Quickly becoming a classic, Codenames is an awesome game of teamwork and strategy. You need to get on the same wavelength as your teammate(s) to have any chance of cracking the puzzle. Prepare for laughs, frustration, and jubilation in equal measures.

The idea of codenames is to be the first team to get in contact with all of their secret agents. Players separate into two teams before each selecting a spymaster. The rival spymasters sit on the same side of the table, opposite their respective accomplices/field operatives. 25 codenames are then randomly selected from the deck and laid out in a 5×5 grid.

A “key” card is then chosen which reveals to the spymasters which of the agents in the grid belong to each side. In among the agents are also a number of innocent bystanders. Plus there’s an assassin who you want to avoid at all costs.

Spymasters work to enable their team to identify their own secret agents. They do this by providing them with one word clues and a number. The clues can link numerous agent’s codenames, while the number tells the team how many are linked.

For example, if the spymaster says “bottle, 3”, the team knows there are 3 agents with names in some way related to the word bottle. Operatives then make guesses as to which secret agents the spymaster is trying to direct them to.

Selecting the wrong one can have bad consequences, and if you hit the assassin that’s game over. The wins team to identify all of their secret agents first.

• In Codenames, two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their “Codenames”.

While it may sound complicated, when you’re playing it’s really simple and easy to follow. At heart it’s a word association game and the spy aspect just adds to the fun. Seeing the random ways that players’ minds connect words can be hilarious meaning the game is fun even when you’re not doing well.

Players: 2-8 (competitive 4-8)

Expect: tense strategy

Size & Weight: 2.8 x 6.3 x 9 inches, 1.25 pounds

Secret Hitler

Best with larger groups (the closer to 10 the funnier), Secret Hitler is a game of deceit, infiltration and conspiracy. Get your poker face on because you’re going to need to lie through your teeth to win.

Players are secretly divided into two teams of fascists and liberals, while one player gets cast as Hitler himself. Liberals have the advantage of a majority, however, they don’t know anyone else’s allegiances. The fascists on the other hand know who the other fascists are as well as who Hitler is. Hitler meanwhile begins without knowing who his allies or enemies are.

Everyone is trying to advance their agenda and gain power whether fascist or liberal. The way to do this is by winning elections and passing legislation.

To do this you have to gain allies and use them to win votes. However, because everyone is trying to gain power it can be hard to figure out who is who. Also everyone is going to lie to make other players believe they’re a liberal.

The game is won by the Liberals if they enact five liberal policies or manage to kill Hitler. The fascists win by enacting six fascist policies, or if Hitler gets elected Chancellor after three fascist policies have been enacted.

• A fast-paced game of deception and betrayal

Secret Hitler is all about skullduggery and convincing people that you’re telling the truth. Never has lying to your friends and family been so much fun, and it will make you see them in a new light. It quickly gets pretty loud and boisterous so be prepared for a lively game.

Players: 5-10

Game Time: 45 minutes

Size & Weight: 14.9 x 5.8 x 2 inches, 1.9 pounds

Connect 4 Grab and Go

Connect 4 Grab and Go is exactly the same as the classic Connect 4 game, just smaller. This means it’s the perfect size to take on your travels. One of the best travel games for couples of pairs of travellers.

Each player starts with 21 checkers, one player takes red, the other yellow. You then take it in turns to place a checker into the playing grid.

The aim is to get four of your checkers lined up in a row. This can be diagonally, vertically, or horizontally.

But while you’re trying to connect your four checkers, so is your opponent. They’re also going to be blocking your attempts at the same time.

• PORTABLE VERSION OF CONNECT 4 GAME: Same classic gameplay in a compact format! The Connect 4 Grab and Go game is a mini, portable version of the Connect 4 game for fun on the run. For ages 6 and up

It’s simple to learn and quick to play but can also be played with some strategy. It does require a bit of concentration but is a great game to relax and unwind with that anyone can play. It was also (falsely) rumoured to have been invented by David Bowie! As if his legacy isn’t amazing enough.

Size & Weight: 1.9 x 6.3 x 9.2 inches, 7.2 ounces

Catan is nothing short of a modern day classic board game. It’s loved by everyone from families to Silicon Valley execs and for this reason makes one of the best travel games. Wherever in the world you crack the Catan box out, you’re likely to find a fellow fan.

Each player is a settler looking to establish their own outposts from scratch on the mythical island of Catan. The island is represented by the game board which is made up of 19 individual hexagons. These can be placed in virtually infinite combinations meaning you could play with a new board each time. Each hexagon has a corresponding number places on it.

Players take turns to roll two di on their turn, and the number rolled allows the corresponding hexagon to produce resources. These can be either brick, wool, ore, grain, or lumber.

Collecting these resources in certain combinations allows players to build up their settlements. You can also trade with other players if they have something you need. And watch out for the robber who stops production on the hexagon he’s on.

The aim of Catan is to get 10 victory points and you collect these mainly by building settlements or cities. There are also bonus points awarded for various other achievements like longest road or biggest army.

• Begin a quest to settle the island of Catan!

Catan is a game of strategy, cooperation, and skill, but you still need the roll of the dice to go your way. It’s also the original “gamers game” and helped kick off the whole board game phenomenon we have today.

Players: 3-4

Game Time: 60 minutes

Size & Weight: 11.6 x 9.5 x 3 inches, 2 pounds

Combine the best elements of poker, bingo, add a board and throw in a large dose of strategy. The result is Sequence, a classic game that’s a whole lotta fun. While there is a travel version, we’d recommend the standard version instead. Though it’s far smaller, the travel edition is a limited abridged version that’s nowhere near as good.

Players get dealt a set number of cards each, this changes depending on how many people are playing. The board has an assortment of cards printed on it. As the name suggests, the aim of the game is to create a sequence of 5 connected cards.

You do this by selecting a card from your hand on your turn and placing a marker over the corresponding card on the game board. If you get 5 connected markers then you win the game.

• Compact travel version easily stores pieces for use anywhere you go!

There’s a lot of strategy involved because you can’t simply concentrate on your own hand. You need to pay attention to your opponents and try to figure out where they are going in order to stop them. It’s simple to pick up and exciting to play.

Players: 2-12

Size & Weight: 10 x 8 x 2 inches, 1.79 pounds

Qwirkle Travel

Described as a cross between dominoes and scrabble, Qwirkle is a super simple game of pure strategy. Anyone can play, but not everyone can play well.

The game of Qwirkle consists of 108 individual tiles. Each has one of 6 different shapes printed on it in one of 6 different colours. To start each player randomly chooses 6 tiles from the tile bag.

Players must then take it in turns to lay connecting tiles in rows and columns. In order to do so you must make runs of either the same shape or the same colour with the tiles in your hands. If it´s a run of shapes, only one of each colour can appear in each row. If it´s a run of colours, only one of each shape can appear in each row.

You can lay as many tiles as you´re able to on your go, so long as they´re all connected in a straight line. Alternatively you can use your go to swap your tiles with new ones from the bag. At the end of each turn you take enough tiles to make your hand back up to 6.

Scores are awarded after each turn depending on how many tiles have been laid and how many columns they fall into. Bonus points are given for completing full lines of 6 tiles. The game ends when one player has used all their tiles and there aren´t any more in the bag to draw.

• Recommended age: from 6 years

This game is unbelievably easy to understand and get going. However, as soon as you begin, you start to realise there´s some deceptively deep strategy that can be employed. The satisfaction from building big scores can be addictive

Size & Weight: 10.5 x 10.5 x 2.7 inches, 2.45 pounds

Be transported to the time of the European Renaissance as you become a merchant aiming to amass a huge fortune.

In Splendor players compete to build the biggest and most prestigious jewellery business in Europe. To do this you need to collect raw gems which you can then use to fund the building of mines.

But you then need to create ways to transport the gems, pay jewellers to cut and polish them, and also buy shops where you can sell them. Develop your cards, collect the gem chips, and watch your wealth soar. With wealth you can then attract nobles who provide you with the prestige – and points – to win the game.

• Splendor is a game of chip-collecting and card development

This game is easy to understand and yet the more you play the more you start to discover the intricacies. While it’s very strategic the game play is still extremely quick with only 4 basic options for each player per turn.

Size & Weight: 8.5 x 2.4 x 10.8 inches, 2.41 pounds

Best Card Games for Travel

Top trumps wonders of the world.

Top Trumps is ancient, simple, and yet resoundingly good fun. There are endless versions of it from Star Wars to Harry Potter. But this Wonders of the World one is on topic when it comes to the best travel games.

All the cards in the pack are dealt out to the players face down. Players then pick up their cards, holding them so they can only see the top card. The first player picks a category from their card and reads it out along with the value next to it. All the other players take turns to read out the same value on their card.

The player with the highest value wins, gets to take all of the cards that were read out and places them at the bottom of their pile. Play carries on until one player has all the cards.

• Entertaining educational card game loved for bringing your favourite Wonders of the World to life

This version of the classic game Top Trumps is conveniently travel themed. Not only will you have great fun out trumping everyone, you’ll also learn a few facts that might help you win a pub quiz one day.

Game Time: 2 minutes

Size & Weight: 3.5 x 0.8 x 5.5 inches, 4 ounces

Ever wanted to design your own ginormous fireworks show? No? Me either. Regardless, this game will probably change your mind.

Hanabi is a cooperative game, which if you’re new to board games could be something novel for you. It means you work with the other players instead of competing against them to achieve a common objective. This objective is to rescue a mahoosive fireworks display that’s about to go terribly wrong.

Each player is dealt 4 or 5 cards depending on how many people are taking part. The cards come in 5 colors with a number from 1-5 on them. Players need to order them correctly in their colors from 1-5.

While this sounds simple, there’s an added complication. Players can’t look at their own cards! Instead they must display them in their hand so only the other players can see them.

• In this challenging cooperative card game, players work together to launch a spectacular firework display.

Hanabi is unique and imaginative and more than likely like nothing you’ve ever played before. Plus the fact that it’s a cooperative game means there are no losers or winners as such. So it’s perfect for those who get a little too competitive to play normal games with new friends.

Expect: cooperative challenge

Size & Weight: 7 x 4.2 x 2 inches, 5.4 ounces

Exploding Kittens

Players try to avoid being an exploding kitten in this wonderfully bizarre quickfire card game. At the same time you can affect the game depending on what cards you play, putting your fellow gamers in trouble.

Each player starts the game with 4 action cards and a diffuse card. The remainder of the deck is placed face down in the middle of the table and players take turns to draw cards from it.

If someone draws an exploding kitten, they’re out of the game. Unless they’re holding a diffuse card which allows them to diffuse the bomb and carry on. They can also put the exploding kitten card back into the deck anywhere they want.

Action cards are played before players draw from the deck and allow them to do various different things. These range from stealing cards from other players to getting a sneak peek at the top 3 cards in the deck.

• THE LEGENDARY ORIGINAL MADE FOR TWO TO FIVE PLAYERS: The card game that gave felines a license to kill. The reason cats around the world are being given the side-eye – it’s Exploding Kittens: Original Edition! This kitty-powered card game is all about turning game night into a blast. Try and dodge exploding kittens, betray your friends along the way, and strap on a portable cheetah butt while you’re at it. The last player left alive wins!

This game is unbelievably easy to pick up. You explode, you lose, you manage to be the last person unexploded you win. The action cards are self explanatory and the quick gameplay keeps things moving quickly. Difficult not to fall in love with the cool illustrations and whacky cards with names like “hairy potato cat”.

Size & Weight: 11.2 x 16.2 x 3.8 inches, 6.4 ounces

What do You Meme?

Memes are a normal part of everyday life now and this game makes players into meme generators. Even if you’re not funny IRL, you’ll feel like a comedian playing What do You Meme.

Each player gets dealt 10 meme cards which have humorous captions printed on them. The pile of photographs gets placed in the middle. Each round the picker gets to draw a photo card and place it in the holder. It’s then down to the other players to choose from their captions which one they think matches it to make the best meme.

Once payers have chosen all the cards are put in a pile and read out by the picker. They then get to choose the winner of the round for the funniest meme created. The winner gets to keep the photo card, play continues until one player has a pre decided number of photo cards.

• For everyone 13 years and above, this bite-sized travel-friendly version of What Do You Meme? has all of the fun in a smaller package!

This game is strictly X-rated and just the written captions themselves are hilarious. But when paired with the right photo they will have every player in stitches. This game is a laugh a minute so your cheeks are guaranteed to ache by the end.

Players: 3-20

Expect: adult laughs

Game Time: 30-90 minutes

Size & Weight: 6.5 x 4.5 x 3 inches, 1.85 pounds

Unstable Unicorns

Love unicorns? Love strategy? This is the game for you. Funded by a huge $1.8 million kickstarter campaign, Unstable Unicorns has got a cult following of enthusiasts.

Your single aim is to build up a complete army of unicorns in order to win. But to do this you can’t play nice. You’ll need to betray your fellow players, destroy their armies and crush their dreams.

Players start with a single baby unicorn and 5 action cards. Each turn consists of four set phases where you lay cards to build your stable of unicorns, stop other people from playing, upgrade your stable, downgrade other people’s, and create general mayhem.

The winner gets the brilliant title of “Righteous Ruler of All Things Magical” and ultimate bragging rights.

• Build a unicorn army. betray your friends. unicorns are your friends now

Unicorns! Need I say more? Ok, Ok, the gameplay is unpredictable, the cards are hilarious and despite the cute unicorn theme, this game is about pure destruction. It gets better with every play so you’ll never get bored.

Size & Weight: 5.8 x 4 x 2 inches, 12 ounces

Forbidden Island

If you’ve ever fancied an Indiana Jones style adventure but wold prefer to do it from the confines of your armchair, Forbidden Islands is the one for you.

Each player is an adventurer with a different skill, from a pilot to an engineer. Together they must rescue 4 hidden treasures from Forbidden Island. However, the island itself is rapidly sinking meaning you have to work quickly.

Each character’s card has instructions on the back for what to do on your turn which makes it super simple to follow. Every turn allows a player to do up to three actions, and each go sees the water levels on one part of the island rising.

As the water levels rise, so does the tension and finding the treasure and getting off the island becomes more urgent. Cooperation and problem solving skills need to be employed in abundance.

• Join a team of fearless adventurers on a do-or-die mission to capture four sacred treasures from the ruins of this perilous paradise.

Forbidden Island looks great with beautifully made components. The cooperative aspect means you play with your fellow gamers instead of against them which is refreshing. The pace of the game picks up as you play making the fun build and build and the consequences of your plays more significant. Thanks to the changing board, the game is different every time.

Size & Weight: 6.5 x 8.8 x 2.8 inches, 1.4 pounds

Like a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, the idea of Sushi Go is to build yourself a delicious plate of sushi. Don’t forget the wasabi, and definitely don’t skip pudding!

The cards get dealt out at the start of the game, the amount depending on the number of players. The round starts with each player looking at their hand and choosing one card they want to play. Once everyone has chosen, all players reveal the card they picked by placing it ace up in front of them.

Players then pass the remainder of their hand to the player on their left. They then choose one card to keep from their new hand. Play continues like this until no one has any cards left in their hand which signals the end of the round.

At this stage the played cards are added up with each one worth different points. You can also do combinations and boost scores by adding additional extras to your sushi like wasabi.  There are three rounds per game and the player with the highest score wins.

• Is that Tempura in your belly or are you just happy Sashimi?

This game is as addictive as great sushi and will definitely leave you hungry for more. It’s fast paced, engaging, and fun to play. Beware though, if you’re a sushi lover you’ll definitely be craving your favourite sushi roll after playing.

Size & Weight: 4.2 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches, 8.5 ounces

Mille Bornes

A classic racing card game that sees players compete against each other to win a long distance race. You need to avoid accidents, top up your gas, and try to trip your opponents up to secure victory.

Players are racing to be the first driver to reach 1000 miles. Along the way there are obstacles that will slow you down and maybe even bring you to a complete standstill.

Each player begins with 6 cards being dealt to them. The remainder of the pack going into the middle to form the draw pile. When it’s your turn you take a card from the draw pile before playing a card into your, or someone else’s, driving zone.

These will act to speed you up or slow your opponents down. Actions range from things like flat tyres to running out of gas. Evade the hazards and keep on track while tripping up your rivals to win.

• More Attacks

Games go at breakneck speed in this rapid fire card game. It’s easy to learn, simple and quick to play, and can be played individually or in competing teams.

Size & Weight: 4.7 x 1.5 x 4.7 inches, 8 ounces

A game that requires strategy, skill, and a touch of luck, Jaipur is all about buying low and selling high.

You and your fellow player are the two most powerful traders in Jaipur. But to secure an invite to the Maharajah’s court as his official trader you need to become undisputed top dog. To do this you must out trade your opponent.

Each player begins the game with 5 cards in their hand, between them are three camels and two merchandise cards. On their turn players can perform one action – either take take cards or sell cards.

To get what you really want you generally have to sacrifice something that your opponent really wants. This means you have to weigh up what’s going to provide you with most value in the long run.

• Jaipur is a simple and fast tactical game

Jaipur is quick, exciting, and is constantly throwing up little twists and turns. You can often see a player’s personality in how they play – greedily gathering commodities, slowly but steadily accumulating their rupees, or simply throwing caution to the wind.

Size & Weight: 3.8 x 1.5 x 7.8 inches, 7 ounces

These Cards Will Get You Drunk

If you enjoy a tipple and like laughing then These Cards Will Get You Drunk is for you.

Players take it in turns to draw a card from the pile and read out the instructions written on it. These will almost always result in one or more person being required to drink.

The longer it goes on and the more cut everyone gets the dinner the game becomes. Prepare for a messy night.

• The fun adult drinking card game that will have you and your friends LOL-ing.

Zero strategy involved, zero skill required, this is a straight up party game where everyone’s a loser. It can help to break down inhibitions and get a group going making it a brilliant travel card games.

Players: 3+

Game Time: n/a

Size & Weight: 3.6 x 2.6 x 1.2 inches, 5.6 ounces

Grandpa Beck’s Cover Your Assets

Cover Your Assets is a race to be the first player to become a millionaire. But forget about playing fair, you’re going to do it by any means possible.

Each player is trying to be the first to accumulate a million dollar fortune. Sure you can save and collect and invest. But it’s much more fun to steal and cheat and screw your competitors over on your way to the top.

But watch out because your assets are also liable to be nabbed at any time. Fortunately you can also steal from other players to climb that greasy pole.

Build your fortune by stacking pairs of asset cards crisscrossed on top of each other. These can be anything from family jewels to fancy cars. And watch your back as your fellow players will have their eyes on your stacks too.

• Classic Gameplay now with the original card artwork: Enjoy the same beloved ‘Cover Your Assets’ gameplay as the original version. Ideal for both veteran and new players looking for timeless card game fun!

You can go from winning to losing in just a few hands and vice versa. This means that it really ain’t over til it’s over and keeps all players on their toes for the whole game. Cover Your Assets can be an emotional rollercoaster of extreme highs and rapid lows.

Players: 4-6

Size & Weight: 2.2 x 1.6 x 0.4 inches, 9.6 ounces

Cards Against Humanity

This game definitely puts the “adult” in the best travel games for adults. Trust us, it’s strictly top shelf.

It’s a card game where the dealer reads aloud a phrase card they’ve picked at random. It has one or two words missing from the sentence written on it and the other players have to complete the sentence by choosing the best from a selection of options in their ten card hand.

The winner is chosen by the dealer so it’s wise to consider their sense of humour and just how easily offended they are. Some of the cards are best described as depraved.

• That’s right. It’s tiny. It’s Cards Against Humanity. That’s really all there is to it.

Probably the least politically correct card game ever invented. You’re either gonna love it or be horrendously offended by Cards Against Humanity. Many of the jokes are pretty close to the bone and will get even the most hardened deviants wincing.

Players: 4-20

Size & Weight: 7 x 4.1 x 2.7 inches, 2.25 pounds

UNO has been around for almost 50 years but it never gets tired.

There are 108 cards in an UNO deck and while most have a number and a colour on them, some are wildcards or “pick up” cards.

The basic idea is to get rid of your cards before anyone else, as players take it in turn to put down or pick up cards that correspond with the colour or number that’s on top of the game pile.

There are missed goes, penalties and a whole lot of strategy that can affect your ability to win, and don’t forget to shout “UNO” when you’re one card away from the win or you’ll be blocked from finishing.

• It’s the classic card game everyone loves, in a sturdy reusable tin! And the contents inside are 100% recyclable.

Frenetic, colourful and full of unexpected laughs, you can easily lose hours to its thrills. It’s  simple to pick up but hard to put down, easily making it another of the best travel games for adults.

Players: 2-10

Size & Weight: 6.2 x 1.3 x 5.2 inches, 6.61 pounds

Five Crowns

If you´re a fan of Rummy then you´ll love Five Crowns. It´s based on the same premise but takes it to another level by adding an extra suit and a roving wild card.

The object of Five Crowns is to have the lowest score after all 11 rounds are played. To do this you´re going to need to create books and runs of cards. There are also wild cards which change each hand depending on how many cards are dealt i.e 3 cards dealt means 3 is the wildcard.

Play starts with one player picking up from either the deck or the discard pile. After assessing their hand they then discarding one card they don´t want. Players take it in turns to do this until one or more players forms a full hand of runs or books.

Any cards in a player´s hand that aren´t part of a run or book are then added up to produce a score at the end of each round. Remember, you need the lowest score to win, so high scores are bad!

• Best-selling game that is fun to play over and over again!

This game is really easy to pick up and play, rounds go quickly, but there is still a good amount of strategy you can employ. The further down the rounds you are the higher the stakes meaning even if you lose a few at the beginning you can easily be right back in it with just a couple towards the end.

Players: 1-7

Size & Weight: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1 inches, 6.4 ounces

Best Card Games for Travel With a Standard Deck

We never go anywhere without a deck of standard cards in our bag but we found out the hard way that normal ones don’t tend to stand up to the rigours of travel.

Avoid that mistake by getting a deck that comes with a protective case instead of a flimsy card box. And go one better by opting for some that won’t get ruinedhttps://amzn.to/3Rgqii2 if they get wet around the pool or on a sticky bar table.

Inbetween, Outbetween

This can be played for money or chips but we´ve only ever really played it as a drinking game. It´s lightning fast and while there can be a little bit of skill involved, it´s largely down to chance.

The game is played in turns with each player being dealt a pair of cards face up with a gap in between them. That player then has to guess whether the next card drawn will be numerically within those two cards.

To do this a player says either “inbetween” or “outbetween” and then the third card is drawn. If they guess correct then their turn is over and play moves to the next player. If they guess incorrectly they have to drink. If the card drawn matches either of the cards already on the table they must drink twice.

Most people aren´t advanced enough at probability to turn the game in their favour. This means that if you´re playing it as a drinking game there tends to be quite a lot of drinking going on by everyone. This sees it get pretty raucous pretty quickly.

Players: 4+

Size & Weight: n/a

Chase the Ace

What’s more fun than watching everyone else around the table drop out on your way to glory? Royally royally screwing your play mates over as you do it.

The aim of Chase the Ace is to avoid having the lowest card at the end of each round. Play starts with the dealer dealing out a single card face down to each player including themselves.

The first player to the dealer´s left starts and can look at their card before deciding whether to swap or stick. If they choose to swap, they do so with the card of the player to the left of them.

If any player has a king they can turn this over and it prevents the player to their right from swapping with them. Once play returns to the dealer, everyone turns their cards face up.

The dealer is not allowed to swap. However, if they choose not to stick they can pick any card from the deck to try and get a higher card.

The person with the lowest card loses a life, Kings are high and Aces are low. If multiple people have the same low card they all lose. For the next round, the role of the dealer rotates to the player on the left of the previous dealer.

Generally players start off with three chips and lose one for each round they lose. The winner is the last remaining person to have any chips.

This is a great game for large groups of people. It can be played as a drinking game instead of with chips with the loser(s) drinking after every round. This is a fantastic party starter and because there are only two options per play, rounds go extremely quickly.

Calling blaggers everywhere. Convince people the hands you´re throwing down are what you say they are to literally bullshit your way to the win.

The dealer deals out the entire deck to the players, and don’t worry if they’re not evenly distributed. Some players may end up with more cards than others but it doesn’t matter for Bullshit.

The object of the game is to get rid of all your cards. Players take it in turns to discard 1 or more cards face down into a central pile. This happens in a descending sequence changing each turn. So player 1 must put down aces, moving to kings for the next player, then queens and so on.

At the same time as laying them down, players must declare the number of cards they are discarding. And this is where the fun starts. Players can lie about what they´re putting down. In fact players have to lie about what they´re putting down.

Because the cards have to go in sequence, often you have to claim to have cards you don’t in order to play. If anyone suspects foul play they can call you out by saying “bullshit”.

At this point the player being challenged must reveal their cards. If they’re telling the truth, the challenger picks up the entire deck. If they’re lying then it’s them who gets the big hand.

First player to get rid of all their cards wins.

You have free licence to lie your face off. The more audacious you are with your untruths the more funny t gets. Until you have to pick up a massive stack that is.

Crazy Eights

Eights are good and help you get rid of the rest of your hand. Which is what you need to do to be crowned winner.

Players are each dealt 5 cards unless there are only 2 players in which case they each get 7. The rest of the cards are laced face down as the draw deck. The aim is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards.

To start the dealer turns over one card from the remaining deck. Each turn consists of a player discarding one of their cards. However, it must match the preceding card in either suit or number.

For example if someone plays a 6 of clubs then the next player must play another 6 or a different club. If that’s not possible then they have to pick up from the draw pile.

The exception to this is if you’re holding an 8 which can be played on anything. Hence the name Crazy Eights. Anyone playing an 8 also gets to name what suit the next player must play.

Easy to pick up and simple to explain, Crazy Eights can also be modified to add more strategy and difficulty. For example, some variants include “special cards” that produce different actions. For example, in some versions a Queen skips a go and an ace reverses the direction of play.

Back in the day an “old maid” was a woman who had been left unmarried for so long it was unlikely to ever happen. Despite the somewhat sexist connotations, this game relies on everyone aiming to avoid the fate of being left holding the last card.

The dealer adds a single joker to the deck before dealing out the entire pack. Players then sort through their hands to identify any pairs they’re holding. These are placed face up on the table.

The player to the left of the dealer must then select a card from the dealer’s hand to put into their oen. This carries on with the player to their left and so on.

As soon as any player has a pair that must be put face up on the table with the rest of the pairs.

The game ends when one player is left holding the joker or “Old Maid”. Naturally they’re the loser.

That sinking feeling when you pick the old maid out of your neighbour’s hand is devastating. But it’s quickly eclipsed by the elation when the next player along plucks it from your fingers.

Best Dice Games

Lcr left center right.

There´s no strategy in LCR and it´s impossible to forget the rules – the dice dictate what you do each turn. It´s fast, great fun, and sees your excitement build and fall rapidly. Brilliant entertainment for largegroups.

LCR is a game made up of just chips and dice. Unlike normal dice, in LCR they have different symbols or letters on each side that require players to do various things with their chips. A dot means you keep a chip. L means you pass one to your left. R means you pass one to your right. C means you put one in the centre pot.

Each player starts the game with 3 chips and the first player rolls the three dice. They then distribute their chips according to what the dice say. Players only roll the number of dice that corresponds to the number of chips they have, up to a maximum of 3.

So as the game continues you may be rolling 1, 2, or 3 dice depending on how you fare. Each round sees you accumulate and lose chips in rapid succession. Play continues until all of the chips but one are in the centre pot, and the person with the remaining chip is the winner.

• Number Of Players: 3-100

This game is one of pure chance meaning anyone can play and it´s a great party starter, particularly with lots of people. Even when you think you´re down and out your neighbour can be forced into giving you a lifeline getting you right back in it. Play for money instead of chips and you´ll have even more invested, even if it’s just a few bucks.

Game Time: 20 minutes

Size & Weight: 4.5 x 3.5 x 1.5 inches, 3.2 ounces

This entertaining dice game is one of pure chance and can be great for large groups of people. While it can be played with standard dice, this handy travel pack comes with scoring sheets and a portable carry box.

Farkle is a supremely simple game made up of just a cup and 6 dice. Players take it in turns to roll the dice on their go. On the first roll of a turn you must roll all 6 and there´s a minimum number of points you must score to be allowed to keep them, usually 350.

Only certain dice and combinations will score you points, and if you don´t manage to bag any points that´s called a Farkle. Hitting a Farkle also ends your turn immediately and loses you any points you have already banked for that go.

Each turn can consist of one or more rolls of the dice. Players can bank scores before each further roll by leaving those dice on the table and only rolling the remainder.

The idea is to get the highest score overall, but first one player must get to a predetermined number of points. This forces sudden death and gives everyone just one more go and a final shot at winning.

There are numerous different variations of the rules so it´s important to nail down which one you´re playing before the game begins.

• Dice game of luck and tactics

While it´s largely a game of chance, Farkle also pushes you to try your luck by continuing to roll in order to secure higher scores. Sometimes you´ll play safe, others you´ll be forced to gamble to score big. The higher the stakes the more exciting it gets.

Size & Weight: 4.2 x 3.6 x 3.1 inches, 5.6 ounces

This classic word game is quick, simple, and uniquely can be played on its own. It comes in a ready made plastic travel case making it one of the most suitable mini travel games.

Shake the dice up in the box and make sure they’re all settled in their grid. Next lift the lid off and turn the sand timer over to start. Players must then write down as many words of 3 or more letters as they can spot. Letters can be “chained” in virtually any direction so long as they’re touching.

Words that more than one player have don’t count, you only score for unique ones. Points are allocated depending on how long they are with longer words gaining exponentially bigger scores. The player with the highest score wins.

• Head-to-head word search game

Because you can chain letters in weird orders it’s easy to spot different ones to other players. The game is frantic with each round lasting just a few minutes. There’s no limit on how many players can play, but it can also be played solo by trying to beat your own high score.

Players: 1+

Game Time: 3 minutes

Size & Weight: 2 x 4.3 x 4.3 inches, 7 ounces

Every roll counts for every player in this unique and engaging fast paced dice game.

Play is based around the coloured scoring cards in Qwixx. They have 4 rows in each colour numbered from either 2-12 or 12-2.

A turn consists of a player rolling all of the dice, 4 colored and 2 white. On each turn players are able to make two scores, one by adding the two white dice, the other by adding one white dice with one colour of their choice.

This number then gets crossed off in the corresponding box on the score-sheet with the white one counting as any colour you like. But once you’ve crossed a number off you’re not allowed to cross anything else in that line off that lies to the left of it.

The game continues until players can physically no longer go or they lock 2 lines. this is done by crossing off 6 numbers in the same line as well as the number furthest to the right.

Scores are then added up according to the score-sheet and the player with the highest score wins.

• Roll and write game.

No one gets bored waiting around for other players to go. There’s zero downtime so everyone stays fully immersed in the game at all times. It’s also exciting and fun to play with lots of twists and turns along the way.

Size & Weight: 5.2 x 3.8 x 1.2 inches, 5.9 ounces

Best Car Games for Adults on a Road Trip

The famous name game.

Into your celebrities? Get ready to name drop like never before in this fast paced word association game.

The first player starts by saying a famous name that everyone would know. The next player has to think of another famous person whose name begins with the first letter of the last name.

If the first name has the same starting letter as the surname for example Marilyn Monroe, play switches direction.

If a player can´t think of a name, takes too long, or drops a name no one knows, they lose and have to do a forfeit.

Play has to go quickly so there are inevitably a lot of forfeits, the worse the better. The random names that people say can also be hilarious. Expect plenty of blasts from the past and Z-list celebs to crop up.

Just a Minute

If you´re the chatty type then this game could be right up your street. But can you keep on topic for a full minute?

Someone (not the driver) sets a timer on their phone for a minute and becomes the chair. The first player then has those 60 seconds to speak on a subject chosen randomly by the chair.

They have to do this without “hesitation, repetition or deviation” and the rest of the passengers are judges. If they think the speaker is taking too long, going off topic, or has repeated a word, they are able to challenge. The timer stops as soon as this happens.

If a challenge is deemed correct by the chair, they receive a point and also take over the subject for the remainder of the time. If it´s not correct then the original speaker continues.

Being the person to be speaking at the end of a minute is rewarded with a point. If a player manages to speak for the entire minute they´re rewarded with a bonus point.

This game sounds super easy but it´s unbelievably hard! Speaking for a full minute without breaking the rules is virtually impossible. But the ways that people attempt to win are hilarious and the arguments over challenges can get pretty involved.

Three Stories

Are you a great liar or do you possess a terrible poker face? Well it doesn´t matter too much in this game, it´s all about coming up with fake stories that are less believable than the truth. The more you can fool your fellow players the better chance of winning you have.

Players take in in turns to say three stories or “facts” about themselves that the other players don´t know. However, only one of them should be true.

The other players have to try and figure out which one is the true story and which two are lies. To get this they each get to ask two follow up questions.

Each player to guess right gets a point and the first to a predetermined number of points is the winner.

This is a great way to get to know your fellow road trippers a whole lot better. And regardless of how well you know them, you´ll learn some pretty surprising stuff. This game gets funny quickly and will have the whole car in stitches.

I Know Them

Fancy yourself as a bit of a story teller? This is a great game that involves some serious imagination as you build a story about someone you´ve never met or seen before in your life.

One player selects a passenger in a car that you pass and makes sure everyone gets a good look. Then they begin by “I know them…” and starting to tell a story about them.

Each player takes it in turns to make up something funny or interesting to add. Start with the basics like name, age, and occupation, then work up to the good stuff.

The more outrageous the backstory you construct the better. And if you pass them again on the road you won´t be able to resist laughing.

There are no losers or winners, just a journey into the bizarre and twisted minds of your fellow road trippers. This can go on for as long as you´re all entertained, and when you get bored simply switch target.

The Wave Game

This game takes nerves of steel, a bit of luck, and plenty of persistence. It´s time to get social on your road trip!

Players take it in turns to wave at the the occupants of each car they pass. If someone in the car waves back then they carry on, each wave back receives a point.

Bonus points are received for extra reactions. A smile is a bonus point. If someone flips you the bird you get 5 points. And if every passenger in the car waves back you get 10 bonus points.

A player´s turn is over when no one waves back. It then moves onto the next player´s turn. The winner is the person with the most points after everyone has gone. Play as many rounds as you dare.

Other people´s reactions can range from happy to play along to thoroughly pissed off. You´ll have great fun playing and may even brighten up someone else´s drive along the way.

How We Chose the Best Travel Games

The main considerations we have for choosing a game to take on the road are the game’s size, weight and portability. All of these mini travel games tick those boxes.

But most of all, to be considered one of the best travel games, they have to be awesome fun to play!

This list is broken down into helpful categories depending on what you’re looking for. It covers the best travel board games, the best travel card games, the best dice games, and the best car games for adults.

Some are self contained mini travel games. Others require a standard deck of cards. But many just need some willing players with a bit of imagination who are up for a laugh.

Those are our picks for the best travel games for adults, but have you got an alternative game that you think would be perfect for stuffing in the backpack? What travel board games do you always carry with you on the road? Drop us a comment below and let us know!

Looking for more awesome gear to take on your travels? Check out these posts to find out what we recommend:

• The Best Water Bottle With Filter for Travel
• Best Packing Cubes for Backpacking
• The Best Towel for Travel
• Best Rainy Season Clothes For Backpackers

Pin Me For Later…

***This post was originally published in February 2017 but has been completely revamped and extended to provide you with the most up to date and accurate information.***

Travel lover, professional writer and football (soccer) obsessive, James loves nothing more than getting outside and exploring little known corners of the globe. He’s also very partial to a drop of Guinness.

Debbie Smith

Tuesday 14th of May 2019

Hi Jamie and Sarah, I just googled games to take on holiday and your website came top of the list! i thought I recognized the name. Have got a couple of tips for games to take to Turkey in a couple of weeks.

Debbie Smith (Charlie's mum)

James McAlister

Sunday 19th of May 2019

Hi Debbie, Hope you're well, it's been a while! It's always funny when people we know stumble across our site - glad you found it useful. Turkey sounds great, hope you get amazing weather and have a brilliant time. Enjoy! Take care, Jamie x

Sunday 31st of March 2019

Wow, I thought I knew a lot of games to play on the road. Really love Exploding Kittens and Cards Against Humanity. Have you tried PIT? That is one of our favorite games. Great list guys!

Tuesday 2nd of April 2019

Hey Mike, yeah we're big fans of those two as well but we have actually never played PIT!! We'll have to get it on order and test it out to see if it needs to be added to the list :-)

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Home » Gear » best travel games

Best Travel Games – Entertainment on the Go

Travel inherently means downtime. There’s waiting for transport to depart, the relocating bit, and a myriad of other periods of time when you can’t do much more than wait. How do you fill this time? You could impatiently look at your watch, stare into space, read a book – or enjoy your time by playing a travel game!

There are a whole host of travel games out there, and whatever your tastes you’re sure to find one that meets your needs! Whether you’re looking for the top travel size games for adults or maybe something for the kids, we’ve got it all covered.

Want to find out then? Simple – read on!

Quick Answer: The Best Travel Games

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• Best pick travel game – Bananagrams
• Best travel board game – Travel Monopoly
• Best travel card game – Exploding Kittens
• Best travel games for adults – Cards Against Humanity
• Best travel game for couples – The Date Game That’s Actually Fun
• Best travel games for flights – Boggle
• Best travel games for road trips – Battleship Grab & Go
• Best travel games for families – Dobble
• Best travel game for kids – Pass the Pigs
• Best travel game for pre-schoolers – Buckle Toy Bizzy
• Best travel game for 2 people – Connect 4 Grab & Go
• Best travel game for groups – Farkle

Bananagrams

• Price > $13.99
• > Lightweight
• > Needs just 2 players

Travel Monopoly

• Price > $9.99
• > Self-adhesive board
• > Up to six players

Exploding Kittens

• Price > $20
• > Easy to understand rules
• > Small to pack

Cards Against Humanity

• Price > $29
• > Strictly for adults
• > 4-20 players

The Date Game That’s Actually Fun

• Price > $14.59
• > Includes all you need to play
• > Best played as a couple

• Price > $16.99
• > All the parts kept in a carry case
• > Can be played for just 3 minutes

Battleship Grab & Go

• > No need to pass tokens between players
• > Travel friendly

• Price > $12.86
• > Game for almost all ages
• > Metal carry tin

Pass the Pigs

• Price > $20.99
• > Doesn’t require adult supervision
• > Simple to understand

Buckle Toy Bizzy

• Price > $17.99
• > Specifically designed for pre-school children
• > Educational

Connect 4 Grab & Go

• Price > $12.99
• > Easy to set up

• Price > $7.99
• > Perfect for large groups
• > Games can be varied in length

Of course, we all know what the king of all games is, yes that’s right Chess. But I am going to presume you’ve all got your travel c hess set packed and ready to go and you’re looking for a accompaniment!

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Bananagrams is a firm favorite for those in the know, is easy to set up and play anywhere, and adds little weight to your kid’s backpack . A word-based game, it consists of 144 Scrabble-like letter tiles, with some doled out to players and the rest left in a central ‘bunch’. The aim of the game is to use up all your tiles in creating interconnecting words – rather like a crossword grid. There are no turns to be taken, but each player working on their own grid as quickly as possible, making it a fast-paced and very addictive game. Requiring just two players, it’s also possible to play with anyone from reading age upwards.

• Lightweight
• Needs just 2 players
• From reading age upwards
• Tiles could get lost
• Can’t be played alone
• Not for pre-schoolers

Is Bananagrams for me?

If you’re looking for a travel game that’s going to keep you entertained without needing a large amount of baggage space, Bananagrams could be for you! Scrabble fans and lovers of word games will definitely enjoy games, which at a minimum of five minutes in length, can be played at almost any time!

Our team swear by Bananagrams for their trips as they find it to be super fun, engaging, educational and most importantly, it weighs hardly anything and takes up no room at all in their bags. They also love how simple the game is to play and pick up too.

Travel Monopoly plays in exactly the same way as standard Monopoly, and the world’s favorite board game needs very little introduction! The small board folds in half so that the entire game takes up not much more space than a paperback book, and doesn’t weigh much more either (just 300g in fact), while a ‘self-adhesive’ board ensure counters don’t fall about the place at the first elbow nudge or spot of turbulence on an aircraft. With enough miniature versions of the traditional player pieces to make this a six-player game (with a minimum of two), it’s ideal for families, while the average game time of 45 minutes makes it a great distraction for airport waits.

• Self-adhesive board
• Up to six players
• Playing time of around 45 minutes
• Minimum 2 players
• Small cards/pieces could get lost
• Age range of 8+

Is Travel Monopoly for me?

Long waits and long journeys don’t need to feel like purgatory with Travel Monopoly in hand. Its 45-minute average playing time will see the time pass all the quicker, while the self-adhesive board helps the counters stay in place however bumpy the journey might be!

Our team are split on whether Monopoly is a good idea on a trip or not! They love the mini set up which plays pretty much the same as the bigger version and packs down pretty light. Some of them just wonder if it might cause a mid-flight emergency landing if things kick off!

Adored by those who have played it, Exploding Kittens is as whimsical as its name might suggest. A rapid-fire card game, the aim is to avoid picking an exploding kitten from the stack of face-down cards, while action cards add to the peril by giving sneak peeks and mixing up the pack in various ways. No bigger than a pack of playing cards (out of the box), Exploding Kittens is perhaps one of the easiest games to take traveling. It’s suitable for 2-5 players of more or less any age, with each individual game lasting around 15 minutes.

• Quick to play
• Easy to understand rules
• Small to pack
• Family-friendly
• Not for single players
• Maximum 5 players
• Cards could get lost
• Games last 15 minutes

Is Exploding Kittens for me?

A quick action family-friendly card game if ever there was one, Exploding Kittens so wonderfully bizarre, kids will love it, while the easy-to-understand rules mean even grandma and granddad can get involved! Small and lightweight too, this is an easy travel game to slip into a pocket for those times you need a little entertainment.

Exploding Kittens is a big hit amongst the team and they love how fun and easy to play it is. The game is also super light and portable meaning it can fit into pretty much any backpack without adding any extra weight. They also like how the playing area for the game is really compact too meaning you could play it on train or plane trays.

Certainly not a travel game for the kiddos, Cards Against Humanity at its best is rude, offensive, and potentially libellous too. So how’s it work? It’s simple really. The dealer reads out an incomplete phrase, which each player tries to complete in turn using words found on cards they’ve been dealt in a hand. It’s the dealer who decides the winner of each round, meaning the winner can be the most outrageous, most poetical, or most polite. A game for up to 20 players, it soon develops a party atmosphere! It’s one of the best adult travel games for sure.

• Strictly for adults
• Simple rules
• 4-20 players
• Easy to pack
• Requires a minimum 4 players
• Not for the easily offended!
• Not for public areas either!
• Game time of around 45 minutes

Is Cards Against Humanity for me?

Definitely not if you’re under 18 or easily offended, but taking that into account, Cards Against Humanity is what could be defined as a right-rollicking travel game, made all the better by the fact you can get up to 20 people playing at the same time.

Our team loves Cards Against Humanity and rate it as one of their best travel games for adults. The game is perfect for getting out at the hostel and breaking the ice. The only drawback is that the game is a little heavier compared to some of the others on the list. But it’s probably the most fun!

The premise of The Date Game That’s Actually Fun is pretty simple – the 330 questions are intended to test how well you know your partner! Though we can see how this could well lead to an argument or two, it’s also a great way of getting to know your other half better and passing the dead time of travel.

The Date Game That’s Actually Fun comes with everything you need to play the game on the move, with 2 dice and 75 prompt cards, across six different categories so you can really get to know your other half.

• Get to know your partner better
• Includes all you need to play
• Best played as a couple
• Number of questions limits playability
• Good for couples getting to know each other
• Compact and lightweight
• Could lead to arguments!

Is The Date Game That’s Actually Fun for me?

Certainly a travel game given its pocket size and weight, The Date Game That’s Actually Fun is a fun way for a couple to pass the time, or for hen/bachelorette groups, in particular, to get the party started. Hopefully, you know your partner well enough that it doesn’t lead to angry recriminations!

Our team felt this was also one of their favourite travel games for adults and kids alike with the addition of the different categories questions. They felt it was perfect for a bit of fun on the road especially when there is only the two of you.

The travel version of this word game is just as easy to play on an aircraft as the original is to play at home. Give the box a quick shake to mix up and settle the letter-inscribed dice within, open up the box, and turn over the sand timer. Each player must then create as many words as they can from the revealed letters, akin to a word search. Obscure words are best, since (infuriatingly) any word spotted by more than one player doesn’t count! But what’s great about this game is that you can play it for as little or as much time as you like (each round lasts just two minutes or so), and can even play alone!

• All the parts kept in a carry case
• Can be played for just 3 minutes
• Can be played with one player
• Infinite number of players
• Dice shaking could irritate other passengers
• Carry case lid isn’t hinged
• No note paper included

Is Boggle for me?

If you enjoy word searches or other travel games such as Bananagrams, you’re going to enjoy Boggle too! Ideal for a flight because of its compact size and simple gameplay, it also has an almost infinite number of letter combinations, that will keep you busy for hours!

Our team feel this is their best game for travel if the size is one of your main concerns. They love how compact and light the game is with all the parts also being super hard-wearing. They also love that the game itself takes up hardly any room in use and uses the box as its playing area.

Battleship Grab & Go

What makes Battleship Grab & Go so good for road trips? Well, it one of the few travel games that don’t require either a communal aspect (a deck of cards or bag of letter tiles) or the need to pass tokens between players. For anyone who doesn’t already know, this two-player (or two-team) game links guesswork with skill to track down the coordinates of each ship in the other player’s navy. The two playing trays are designed in such a way that pegs are firmly placed and can’t get shaken out of place whatever road obstacles you might come across!

• No ‘communal aspect’
• No need to pass tokens between players
• Travel-friendly
• Easy to play
• For two players/teams
• For ages 7+
• Pegs a little fiddly

Is Battleship Grab & Go for me?

Road trips mean plenty of time in the confines of a vehicle where it’s difficult to reach a communal pile of cards or letters, and can be hard to pass tokens between players too! Battleship Grab & Go has no need for these game aspects, and is specifically designed for use on the road!

Battleship is an absolute classic and our team loves it! Many of them have fond memories of playing it as kids. The team liked that this edition was made from durable materials and included two self-enclosed playing boards that keep all the pieces organised.

A card-based travel game aimed at children but still very playable by adults, there’s little to have to carry with Dobble, making it a great option for families who already have more than enough baggage with them! Essentially a version of ‘snap’ built for the twenty-first century, five different games can be played with the 55 card Dobble pack. The most basic sees players reveal one card at a time, in an attempt to match images between cards – each one has 8 different images of various sizes to make it extra tricky! The player with the most cards at the end of the pack wins!

• Game for almost all ages
• 2-8 players
• Metal carry tin
• Not suitable for pre-schoolers
• Cannot be played alone
• Game time of 10 minutes
• Won’t help teach literacy

Is Dobble for me?

This fun, fast, and sometimes raucous travel game can be played by anyone in the family old enough to be able to recognize different images (with another version available for younger children too). Educational and enjoyable to play, Dobble is a marvellous way of having fun as a family!

Our team are big fans of Dobble, especially for games nights in the hostel. They love that it comes in a metal box that keeps the cards safe when it’s thrown in their packs. The only thing they did say is that this game can get pretty energetic and rowdy, so maybe not ideal for enclosed spaces!

If you’re after a game that the kids can play on their own without the supervision or input of a tired-out adult, reach for Pass the Pigs! Based on the traditional game of ‘pigs’ that uses the roll of a pair of dice to determine points, this version sees kids drop small model pigs (that they’ll love in any case) onto the playing board, which is made up of several squares which can take or give points. The trick is knowing when to stop or play on (all down to luck of course), which keeps the game fresh and risky time after time!

• Doesn’t require adult supervision
• Simple to understand
• Very small to pack
• 2-4 players
• For reading age kids
• Game time of 30 minutes
• Pigs could get lost

Is Pass the Pigs for me?

The lack of a skill requirement means Pass the Pigs is suitable for a child of just about any age (although the board does include some writing). It’s also one of those games where you can leave them to it for a few minutes without supervision. It’s also small to pack and weighs very little, making it a good choice for traveling families!

The team felt this was a super fun game, especially for kids. They like that the pieces are made from durable and hard-wearing material and their box is strong enough to cope with the rigours of travel. They did feel it could get a bit tedious for the adults after a while though.

Specifically designed to be attractive to pre-schoolers, the upper side of the Buckle Toy Bizzle is decorated with a bright and cheerful face, while the underside has tabs for numbers 1 to 5 which lift up to reveal a series of stitched animals. Stretching out from this soft central section are 6 colorful child-friendly buckles of different sorts to help develop a pre-schoolers motor, cognitive, and problem-solving skills without even realizing it. A zip pocket gives a further reason why the child would love to have this around, while its 6 x 6 inch size and fabric construction makes it very easy to travel with, however far you’re heading.

• Specifically designed for pre-school children
• Brightly colored
• Educational
• Small in size
• For 1-4 years of age
• For one player
• No alternate games to play
• Small danger of catching skin in clips

Is Buckle Toy Bizzy for me?

Good, educational travel toys for pre-schoolers are difficult to come by, and let’s face it, if you intend on traveling you definitely need something to keep these young minds occupied! Brightly colored, and with little extras such as the hidden animals, Bizzy could be your child’s favorite for months to come.

The team felt this toy was super well made, which is essential when it comes to something designed for toddlers! The game is small and light enough to fit easily inside a backpack whilst offering a surprising amount of different colours, numbers, textures and noises to keep the little ones distracted! They also love that you can attach it to a backpack or the back of a seat too.

Connect 4 Grab & Go

Even if the name of Connect 4 doesn’t ring a bell right away, we suspect you’ll soon recognize its bright blue plastic frame and red and yellow counters. Connect 4 Grab & Go is the same as the original game, but smaller in size and with handy attached trays in which to place the counters. If you don’t immediately remember how to play, you’re simply trying to drop the counters into the frame in such a way that the result is a line of four consecutive counters of the same color – a little like an expanded version of noughts and crosses.

• Smaller version of a favourite
• Simple to play
• Easy to set up
• For just two players
• Counters can get lost
• Little variation in the game
• Playing time of 10 minutes

Is Connect 4 Grab & Go for me?

This simple, near vintage, travel game is easy to set up and perhaps even easier to play. With an average playing time of 10 minutes, it can be brought out even during short waits, while you’ll be surprised how addictive a game it can become!

Our team felt this was one of the best travel games for 2 adults or kids. This classic game is easy to get the hang of and offers hours of fun! The travel edition is super small and being plastic it’s both light and hard-wearing.

Finding a travel game suitable for a larger group would be difficult if it wasn’t for Farkle. Best described as the dice game Yahtzee built into a larger game, it can be played by an almost limitless number of players due to the fact each person takes turns shaking the six dice. With only specific dice combinations giving a player points nothing is guaranteed, while everything can be lost if you hit the Farkle combination. The winner is simply the person who reaches the winning points margin first – and as this can be as large or as small as you want, games can fit into whatever time you have free!

• Perfect for large groups
• Made in the UK
• Games can be varied in length
• Dice can get lost
• For ages 8+
• No skill required
• Dice quite small

Is Farkle for me?

If you’re looking for a game that can absorb almost any number of players (simply use more than one score sheet for larger groups – or draw your own) and doesn’t require skill or any complicated rules (we’re looking at you, Monopoly) Farkle is probably the game for you!

The team rate this game highly for travelling with it being so small and light. Another bonus for solo travellers or couples is that it works well with one or two people which is pretty rare, even rarer is that equally, you can play it with a big group. The team also feel the replayability is much bigger than many other games on the list.

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Reading the instructions and you might think Codenames is the most complicated travel game ever invented, but get stuck in and you’ll soon realize it’s not as difficult as it at first sounds! The aim of the game is to uncover all of each team’s secret agents, hidden within a field of possibles that includes ordinary bystanders and a very deadly assassin. But really, this is a game of word association, with clues given by a spymaster to their team linked in some way to the agents they are looking for. With so many combinations possible, you can play this game almost endlessly, with different combinations of team members making for very different results!

• Simple at heart
• Close to a traditional board game (without the board)
• Can be played almost endlessly
• Better with 4+ players

Is Codenames for me?

If you’re looking for a travel game that involves a little more skill and thought than the simple chance of something like Farkle, go for Codenames! This competitive and fun travel game will have you second-guessing every word given by your spymaster in the attempt to identify your undercover agents.

Codenames is one of my personal favourite games, I love how frustrating and fun it is anticipating your partners answer or trying to find a tenuous link between the cards! The game consists of just cards so it’s easy to take out of the box as we have and throw it in a sandwich bag for your travels. It lays flat and weight almost nothing. However, the game does need more room than a plane tray usually affords.

The traditional stylings of the box might not look much, but bear with us, for Catan is a big hit with everyone that plays it! Credited with igniting the recent craze for board games, Catan requires skill, strategy, and a little bit of cooperation between players too. The ultimate aim is to reach ten victory points and to do this each player begins building their own settlement through farming, trading, and other choices. Along the way, each player needs to watch out for the robber, who stops development of the settlements he’s landed on!

• Almost infinite playing board
• Suitable for all the family
• Games last around an hour
• Not simply luck
• Requires space for the board
• Just 3-4 players
• Lots of small parts

Is Catan for me?

Want something more than a travel game of chance and luck? Catan meets this need, with its requirement for careful consideration and strategy. It also emphasizes the need for cooperation, which is great for children and has an almost infinite playing board thanks to its jigsaw-like setup.

Catan is a classic and it’s one of my favourite games. The full-sized edition, whilst a surefire hit in the hostels, might just be a little on the large and heavy side unless you’re travelling in a car or campervan. However, there are smaller versions available where two players can play too.

Sequence Travel Edition

Made for travel, Sequence Travel Edition combines the basic premise of a number of games including Connect4 and poker into one large board-based travel game. The board has cleverly been placed within the lid of the plastic carry case of this travel edition and pegs that slot into holes replace the traditional chips used so that players don’t lose their place. Even the cards used in a miniature pack for travel, while the game itself is simple enough that children will be readily able to play. So what’s it all about? Fundamentally, it’s about connecting up a sequence of 5 cards in various ways that will keep your mind busy over and over again!

• Special travel edition
• Can be played by children
• Pegs can be a little fiddly
• Two-player version

Is Sequence Travel Edition for me?

Those who have played the full-sized version of Sequence might be a little unimpressed by the Travel Edition, however, for a game that will keep children and adults entertained for half an hour or more, we still rate Sequence Travel Edition as a fine travel game!

Our team felt this was a pretty fun little game that impressed them with its clever design where it was played inside its own plastic container. It meant it was compact and light and keeping all the various parts together wasn’t an issue. Most importantly, it could also be played easily on a plane, train or bus tray table.

Qwirkle Travel

The colorful playing pieces of Qwirkle Travel play rather like dominoes on steroids. The aim is to place connecting tiles next to each other, but instead of tiles comprising numbers, they are of various shapes and colors. An orange square can be placed next to a red square, which can be followed by a red circle, for instance. And to make it slightly more complicated, each color can only appear in a row once! The winner of each round is the player that has put down the most tiles, in the most rows, so some strategy is needed too.

• Travel version of the popular game
• Good for children and adults to play together
• One of the heavier games on our list
• For just 2-4 players
• Lots of small pieces to lose

Is Qwirkle Travel for me?

Easy to understand, but requiring enough strategy to keep players entertained, Qwirkle Travel is family fun at its very best. Though it can be a rapid-fire game, the thought required also means a game can last 45 minutes – an ideal length of time for many travel experiences.

Our team loves that this is one of those simple yet complex games where you can really get stuck in and engaged in the game. It really passes the time well on long trips with the level of concentration needed! They also feel that the bag and pieces are pretty robust too and like that it can be played with 2 people.

Top Trumps Wonders of the World

If you don’t already know how Top Trumps works, where have you been? Nothing to do with the 45 th president of the United States (that we know of), the Top Trumps deck of cards is divided among the players, who try and beat the other players by besting them on one of the card’s selected categories. What makes the Wonders of the World version particularly relevant to travel is its world theme, with plenty of intriguing facts to keep everyone paying attention while the game goes on. And that game goes on right up until the time when one player holds all the cards!

• Games can last as little as 2 minutes
• Easy to travel with
• Great for kids
• Travel themed
• Limited number of cards
• Best with 4 players

Is Top Trumps Wonders of the World for me?

A particularly good choice if you’re looking to drill some useful facts about the world into your children without them realizing it (such as the height of Mount Everest), Top Trumps Wonders of the World is also easy to travel with, and argument free – since all the facts are written down! Perfect!

Top Trumps has been a hit with me and my partner since we first met each other as teenagers! We’ve collected heaps of different versions but of course, as avid travellers, this version is a firm favourite. The game is simple, filled with interesting facts and fun to play. The cards take up hardly any room and the plastic case keeps them in good condition on the road.

Unstable Unicorns

The Exploding Kittens for the millennial age, Unstable Unicorns is as barmy a card-based game as they come! How does a player go about winning? By building up a powerful unicorn army of course! And you can’t do this without a little bit (alright, a lot) of friendly betrayal of the other players, seeing to the destruction of their own unicorn armies. With wonderfully vibrant imagery and an unpredictability no other travel game can match, Unstable Unicorns definitely belongs to the ‘once tried never forgotten’ list of travel games!

• Great design
• Ridiculously unpredictable
• Up to 8 can play
• 30-45 minutes playing time
• For ages 14+
• Higher price point
• Requires table space

Is Unstable Unicorns for me?

A great way to spend some quality time with your teens, or just a group of friends, Unstable Unicorns is like no other card-based game you will ever have come across. Quirky, cute, and evilly vicious in equal turn, up to 8 can play, with games lasting right up to 45 minutes.

Our team absolutely loves this game from the hilarious illustrations to the cunning gameplay, it’s got it all! It’s a huge hit at the hostel and really gets everyone interacting and having fun from the off. They also like that there are various different versions and expansion packs too so the game has huge replayability.

Mille Bornes

With a strapline of ‘the classic racing game,’ you can know a little of what to expect from this card-based travel game. A Monopoly for cars, players need to fill up on petrol, avoid accidents, and block the progress of other players to reach the end of the 1000-mile journey. Ironically perhaps, this is actually an incredibly fast-paced game, so pay attention! It’s also very easy to learn the rules, so you’ll be up to speed (pardon the pun) and playing before you know it!

• Travel version of a classic travel game
• Easy to understand
• Cards can be lost
• High price point

Is Mille Bornes for me?

Looking for an alternative to Monopoly? Mille Bornes fills that niche, without the need for a board. The resulting card-based game is a classic, particularly in its birthplace of France. Nothing gets classic status without reason, so why not splash out and try Mille Bornes for yourself?

Our team love the unique premise of this game and felt it offered something pretty different compared to most card games out there. The retro metal packaging was also great for travellers because it was still pretty light but made sure all the pieces stayed together and undamaged whilst in their backpacks.

Another classic travel game is Uno. Developed in the early 1970s, it is as fresh today as when it was first invented, which says a lot about the simple elegance of this card game. Using a specially printed pack of 108 cards, the majority of which comprise a color and number, the basic aim is to be the first player to shed all their cards through picking up and putting down cards based on what’s face up in a central pile. It’s a little more complex than that, with skips and wild cards among other features, and the need to shout ‘Uno!’ not when you’ve won, but when you have a single card left in your hand!

• A classic game
• 2-10 players
• 45 minute game time

Is Uno for me?

Uno rapidly becomes addictive, which is exactly what you should be looking for in a travel game when you have a lot of dead time to fill up without getting bored! Lightweight and easy to pack, and suitable for everyone from the age of seven upwards, your career as an Uno champion could start today!

Uno! What can we say, it’s a classic and a game all of our team needed no introduction to! I think we’ve all got a traumatic Uno story, ending up with a stack of cards just a few rounds after forgetting to shout “Uno”! But no one can deny the fun of this simple but tactical game that packs down super small and light.

An award-winning family strategy game, OK Play is durable, waterproof (being plastic), and a good size for travel, although the small counters might be troublesome for some families to keep hold of. Once you’ve chosen your particular color of tiles – held neatly on their own stack until they are needed – it’s simply a matter of placing down one tile at a time until one of the players manages to sneak in a row of five counters in the horizonal, vertical, or diagonal. Recommended for children from the age of 8 upwards, four different color stacks of counters make it suitable for 2-4 players.

• Award-winning
• Designed for travel
• Counters could get lost
• Requires a playing table
• For only 2-4 players
• Slightly awkward shape for packing

Is OK Play for me?

This counter game is so easy to play you won’t bore children with a long list of rules and regulations, yet at the same time is flexible enough to allow continued development of the skills and strategies required to make it a success as a player. Its durability and waterproof nature also help to make it an all-around good family travel game!

This game was new to most of our testers but they really loved how simple, fast-paced and addictive it was. They also felt when it came to travel games, this one was probably the most perfectly designed. It was super compact, so light and really hard to break!

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

What makes a game the best travel game for you, your family, and your friends? Here are some helpful hints and tips to guide you!

Packability

You’re probably already struggling to fit everything you want to take into your baggage, particularly if traveling as a family, so you don’t want to be carrying around a travel game that is either large in size, or overly heavy. Thankfully, these days the manufacturers have caught the hint, producing dedicated travel versions of many popular games, with Monopoly one of them.

Are you looking for a travel game that will entertain just a couple of people, have a group of adults enthralled, keep children busy during dead time, or maybe one that’s suitable for families? We’ve highlighted the age range each game is aimed at in our reviews, to make this really obvious for you!

Number of players

There’s no point getting a travel game that’s at its best with six players if there are only ever going to be two or you! Likewise, don’t get a game for two if you know the average number of players is going to be greater than this. Follow these simple rules together with our reviews, and you’ll find the best travel game for you!

There is no perfect or exact science when it comes to testing out travel gear, but when it comes to picking the best travel games, we’ve got plenty of experience between us!

Whenever we test a piece of gear, one of our team takes it out for a spin and puts it through its paces. When it came to travel games things were no different in our eyes, we just added in a few extra details.

So, we looked initially at how well-made the game is and whether it would stand up to the rigours of being thrown into a backpack every day. Then we accessed things like weight, size, packability as well as ease of set up and most importantly, gameplay!

Finally, we also take into account how much each item costs – when it came to picking out the best games for traveling, we also weighted up whether we felt each one was worth the price. We judged the more expensive items more harshly than the cheaper games as we expected to get more for our money.

Still have some questions about the best games for travel? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What are the best travel games for long car-rides?

Battleship Grab & Go is a great option for long car rides or road trips. The two playing trays are designed in such a way that pegs are firmly placed and can’t get shaken out of place whatever road obstacles you might come across!

What is the best board travel game?

Travel Monopoly might cause one or the other family war, but it’s the best board game on the market.

What are the best games for families or a group of friends?

There are many great group travel games, but Farkle and Dobble are the best ones. They’re perfect for all ages and all types of travelling.

What is the easiest travel game?

Connect 4 Grab & Go is simple and fast to learn, however, it requires one or the other brain cells.

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Forget hours of boring waiting at train stations , airports, and on road trips with our selection of the best travel games! Whether it’s a classic like Uno or a new kid on the block such as Unstable Unicorns, or something for adults or kids (or both), we’ve got you covered with our review! Hopefully, you’ve found some good travel games for your next trip.

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Thanks for this kind of blog about travel. I wonder if you tried to go on baguio cafes in the philippines?

Just an FYI…. Bananagrams can be played with one person. Bananagram solitaire is extremely popular and is a great way for school-age children to build their vocabulary.

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A Slower Speed of Light

Download the latest beta releases

A Slower Speed of Light is a first-person game prototype in which players navigate a 3D space while picking up orbs that reduce the speed of light in increments. Custom-built, open-source relativistic graphics code allows the speed of light in the game to approach the player’s own maximum walking speed. Visual effects of special relativity gradually become apparent to the player, increasing the challenge of gameplay. These effects, rendered in realtime to vertex accuracy, include the Doppler effect (red- and blue-shifting of visible light, and the shifting of infrared and ultraviolet light into the visible spectrum); the searchlight effect (increased brightness in the direction of travel); time dilation (differences in the perceived passage of time from the player and the outside world); Lorentz transformation (warping of space at near-light speeds); and the runtime effect (the ability to see objects as they were in the past, due to the travel time of light). Players can choose to share their mastery and experience of the game through Twitter. A Slower Speed of Light combines accessible gameplay and a fantasy setting with theoretical and computational physics research to deliver an engaging and pedagogically rich experience.

Download our PowerPoint presentation about the relativistic effects in the game: PPT PPTX

OpenRelativity

A Slower Speed of Light was created using OpenRelativity , an open-source toolkit for the Unity game development environment. Intended for game developers, educators, and anyone interested in physics, OpenRelativity can help people create, test, and share experiments to explore the effects of special relativity.

Requirements

A Slower Speed of Light has been tested on computers with the configurations listed below.

• Intel Core 2 Duo T9900 or Core i7 (2.8GHz clock speed)
• Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) or higher, and Linux (Ubuntu 13)
• AMD Radeon HD 6970M/AMD Mobility Radeon HD 4850/Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT

Screenshots

Gerd Kortemeyer Product Owner

Philip Tan Staff Liaison

Ryan Cheu Programmer

Ebae Kim Artist, Designer

Zach Sherin Programmer, QA Lead

Sonny Sidhu Producer, Designer

Abe Stein Audio Design, Music

Press Inquiries

For high-resolution screenshots, please download our press packet

For press inquiries, contact Philip Tan: [email protected]

Technical Support and Bug Reports

Please direct bug reports, technical questions, and problems to [email protected] .

Some users have reported that the game may run on Windows XP and 2GB RAM. A known bug will crash the game on computers with some Intel graphics chipsets (the beta version might fix this issue).

To run the game, Windows users with multiple graphics processors may need to right-click the game’s application icon, select ‘Run with graphics processor,’ and choose the option that is not marked as the default.

To start the game on Linux in a different screen resolution, use one of the following options from the command line inside the game folder, replacing screenwidth and screenheight with your width and height of your screen in pixels:

• 32-bit: ./"A Slower Speed of Light.x86" -screen-width [screenwidth] -screen-height [screenheight]
• 64-bit: ./"A Slower Speed of Light.x86_64" -screen-width [screenwidth] -screen-height [screenheight]
• Example: ./"A Slower Speed of Light.x86_64" -screen-width 1280 -screen-height 720

You can also adjust other Linux game settings from the command line. Here is the full list of command-line options for all platforms.

Publications

Zachary W. Sherin, Ryan Cheu, Philip Tan, and Gerd Kortemeyer, (2016): Visualizing Relativity: the OpenRelativity Project , American Journal of Physics 84, 369-374

Gerd Kortemeyer, Philip Tan, and Steven Schirra, (2013): A Slower Speed of Light: Developing intuition about special relativity with games FDG 2013, FDG ‘13 Proceedings of the International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games. ACM New York, NY, USA p. 400-402

Gerd Kortemeyer, Jordan Fish, Jesse Hacker, Justin Kienle, Alexander Kobylarek, Michael Sigler, Bert Wierenga, Ryan Cheu, Ebae Kim, Zach Sherin, Sonny Sidhu, and Philip Tan, (2013): Seeing and Experiencing Relativity – A New Tool for Teaching? The Physics Teacher

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30 Best Travel Games for Your Next Adventure

Embarking on a new adventure, whether it’s a long road trip, a flight across the globe, or a weekend camping getaway, is always exciting. However, there may be moments during your journey when boredom strikes or you simply want to take a break from sightseeing. That’s where travel games come in handy! These portable, engaging games are designed to keep you and your travel companions entertained, no matter where your adventures take you. In this article, you’ll discover 30 best travel games that are sure to make your next trip even more memorable.

Table of Contents

Travel size board games, handheld games, 1. classic road trip bingo.

Take your family road trips to the next level with this Regal Games 2-pack bundle, featuring the Original Interstate Highway Travel Bingo Set and the Highway Hunt Card Game. These engaging, portable games are designed to provide hours of entertainment for kids and adults alike, making them the perfect classic companions for any car ride or vacation.

2. The Purple Cow Magnetic Bingo

Embark on a wild adventure with this portable, magnetic Animal Bingo game. Packaged in a compact, slim tin case, this travel-friendly game is easy to play and provides hours of screen-free entertainment, whether you’re on the go or at home.

3. I Spy Travel Card Game

Uncover a scenic adventure with the I Spy Card Game, the perfect travel companion for kids based on the bestselling book series. This engaging seek-and-find game combines stunning photographs and familiar objects, encouraging children to appreciate their surroundings while building vocabulary and cognitive skills in a fun, challenging way.

4. Shotgun!

Get ready for a hilarious road trip adventure with the “Hit The Road” card game, designed to keep the whole family entertained during long drives. The designated card reader sets the stage for each round, ensuring that the fun continues until you reach your destination or stop for a quick bite. With 200 cards, a drawstring pouch, and easy-to-follow instructions, this game is a must-have for your next family vacation, brought to you by the creators of the popular “What Do You Meme?” series.

5. Road Rally

Transform long car rides into exciting adventures with Road Rally, the ultimate travel card game for the whole family. With 88 high-quality cards featuring vibrant illustrations and three levels of difficulty, this portable game encourages keen observation skills and friendly competition, making it the perfect addition for your next road trip.

6. 50 Cool Things to Do in The Car

Banish boredom and spark imagination with this compact, travel-friendly game tin, perfect for families on the go. The petite tin easily fits in cup holders or bags, making it a convenient choice for daily errands or long journeys. With 50 fun-filled ideas to explore, this game is sure to be a hit among fans of Brain Quest and Mad Libs.

7. Road Trip Family Games

Level up your unforgettable family road trip with this collection of 55 exciting travel games, designed to provide endless entertainment and laughter throughout your journey. Crafted with durable, waterproof materials and featuring vibrant, high-quality printing, these cards are built to withstand the rigors of travel while offering a visually stunning gaming experience that will keep kids and adults engaged for hours on end.

8. 100 PICS Riddles 

Sharpen your mind and entertain yourself with this pocket-sized pack of 100 family-friendly riddles. This portable brain teaser game features a colorful anagram on the cover and four doors that open to reveal the riddle, providing hours of fun wherever your adventures take you.

9. 100 PICS Logos

Expand your knowledge of the world’s most iconic brands with this pocket-sized game featuring 100 recognizable company logos. Perfect for solo play or as a fun activity with friends and family, this compact, travel-friendly game provides hours of entertainment while boosting your memory and cognitive skills.

10. Think Outside The Box

Embark on a thrilling detective adventure with Think Outside The Box, a captivating game that challenges your deductive skills and imagination. Perfect for family road trips, this portable game features 40 intriguing stories with unexpected endings, encouraging players aged 8 and up to ask the right yes/no questions and unravel the mysteries behind each case.

11. Games on the Go

Make every moment count with Games on the Go, a collection of 50 fun-filled activities perfect for family road trips and beyond. This compact, portable game set includes a wide variety of engaging challenges, from silly guessing games and mind-bending puzzles to wacky trivia questions, ensuring endless entertainment for all ages, whether you’re in the car, at the dinner table, or enjoying a day indoors.

12. Road Trip Trivia Cards

Turn your next road trip into an unforgettable date experience with the DateBox Club’s Road Trip Trivia Card Deck. Featuring 52 engaging trivia cards, this game sparks conversation, laughter, and friendly competition, helping you and your partner connect on a deeper level while enjoying the journey together.

13. Magnetic Solitaire Game

Enjoy the classic game of solitaire anytime, anywhere with The Purple Cow’s magnetic version, designed to provide hours of entertainment in a compact, travel-friendly format. This professionally designed game features a magnetic board and pieces, ensuring a stable playing surface even during bumpy rides, making it the perfect companion for kids and adults alike on the go.

14. SUSSED The Wacky ‘What Would I Do?’ Card Game 

Get ready for hilarious conversations and unexpected revelations with SUSSED, the portable card game that challenges you to guess how your friends and family would react in various situations. With over 200 thought-provoking questions and 650 possible answers, this game is perfect for breaking the ice, fostering connections, and providing endless entertainment at home or on the go.

15. Trivial Pursuit Mini Packs Multipack

Take on a nostalgic journey through the decades with this Trivial Pursuit Game Mini Packs Multipack, featuring four unique game packs spanning the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s. With 240 engaging questions per pack and a simple gameplay mechanic where players keep the cards they answer correctly, each game offers a quick and easy way to test your knowledge of pop culture, events, trends, and more from years past.

16. Monopoly Grab & Go Game

Enjoy the timeless game of Monopoly anytime, anywhere with this convenient Grab and Go version. This compact, travel-friendly edition features all the classic properties, Community Chest cards, and Chance cards you love, while offering easy part storage within the game board itself, making it perfect for on-the-go entertainment.

17. Clue Grab and Go Game

Solve the mystery on the go with the Hasbro Gaming Clue Grab and Go Game, a compact, travel-sized version of the classic whodunit game. This all-in-one game unit makes storage a breeze, while the included Detective Notebook helps you keep track of the suspects, weapons, and locations. With 6 movers, 6 weapon tokens, and cards for guests, weapons, and rooms, this portable edition offers the same deduction gameplay as the original, making it perfect for sleuths aged 8 and up to enjoy anytime, anywhere.

18. Sorry Grab & Go Game

Take the excitement of the classic Sorry! board game on the go with this compact Grab & GO version from Hasbro Gaming. This portable set offers the same nostalgic tabletop gameplay you love in a convenient, easy-to-carry format, providing hours of fun for players of all ages.

19. Pop-O-Matic Trouble Grab & Go Game

Get ready for a poppin’ good time with the classic Trouble game on the road with this compact, all-in-one Grab & Go version. Featuring a self-contained gameboard and the iconic Pop-O-Matic die roller, this portable set makes storage and travel a breeze, while providing hours of fun for the whole family.

20. Hungry Hungry Hippos Grab & Go Game

Bring the excitement of Hungry Hungry Hippos on your next adventure with this compact Grab & Go version from Hasbro Gaming’s Elefun & Friends line. Perfect for two players aged 4 and up, this all-in-one game unit features two chomping hippos and a handy plastic cover to keep marbles contained, making it easy to store and transport for fun on the go.

21. Guess Who? Grab & Go Game

Enjoy the classic game of Guess Who? anytime, anywhere with this convenient Grab and Go version from Hasbro Gaming. This compact set includes everything you need for quick setup and easy storage, making it an ideal choice for travel or on-the-go entertainment.

22. Connect 4 Grab and Go Game

Take the classic game of Connect 4 wherever you go with this compact, portable Grab and Go version from Hasbro Gaming. Designed for two players, this all-in-one set features a convenient playing grid with built-in checker trays that fold up for easy storage and transportation. With 21 red checkers and 21 yellow checkers included, you’ll have everything you need for hours of strategic fun on the go.

23. Scrabble Deluxe Edition

Upgrade your Scrabble game with the Hasbro Gaming Scrabble Deluxe Edition, an Amazon Exclusive featuring a sleek folding carrying case, recessed gameboard, and premium components. This stylish set includes 100 wooden letter tiles, 4 deluxe curved tile racks, a plush drawstring letter pouch, and a comprehensive gameplay guide, making it perfect for 2 to 4 word game enthusiasts looking to add a touch of luxury to their Scrabble sessions.

24. Battleship Grab and Go Game

Engage in classic naval warfare anytime, anywhere with the Hasbro Gaming Battleship Grab & Go game. This compact, portable version of the beloved strategy game features two self-contained game units that open to conceal your ship positions from your opponent. With red and white pegs to track your shots and hits, this travel-friendly edition offers the same tactical gameplay as the original, making it perfect for on-the-go fun.

25. Portable Tic Tac Toe

Keep the kids entertained on the go with this portable, pocket-sized Tic Tac Toe board game. Crafted from durable plastic materials, this lightweight and easy-to-carry game is perfect for long car rides, airplane trips, or tabletop play, making it an ideal choice for travel-loving families.

Challenge your memory and reflexes with the Hasbro Gaming Simon Micro Series Game, a compact and fast-paced version of the classic game. This portable electronic game unit offers two exciting modes: Solo, where you test your skills against the game’s increasing speed, and Pass It, perfect for multiplayer fun.

27. 12 Game Magnetic Set

Introduce your kids to a world of fun and learning with the Small Gamie Magnetic game set, featuring 12 exciting, pocket-sized board games perfect for travel. This diverse collection includes classic favorites like Chess, Checkers, and Backgammon, as well as fun options like Snakes & Ladders and Space Venture, all designed to sharpen young minds and provide hours of entertainment.

28. Rubik’s Cube

Challenge your problem-solving skills with the iconic Rubik’s Cube, the world’s most famous puzzle that has captivated fans since 1980. This classic 3×3 cube features six colorful sides, each composed of nine squares, offering over 43 quintillion possible combinations but only one solution – can you master the art of twisting, turning, and rotating to solve this timeless brain teaser?

29. Flipslide

Get ready for hours of addictive fun with Flipslide, the fast-paced puzzle game that challenges your skills and reflexes. With four exciting game modes – Speed, Multiplayer, Level, and Memory – this portable console offers endless entertainment for players.

30. Aqua Arcade Set with Fish Ring Toss & Basketball

Step back in time with this pack of two classic handheld games – Fish Ring Toss and Basketball – designed to provide endless entertainment and stress relief for all ages. Simply press the buttons to create airflow and propel the rings or balls, enjoying hours of battery-free, nostalgic fun wherever you go.

Travel games are a fantastic way to keep boredom at bay and create lasting memories with your friends and family during your adventures. From classic card games and brain teasers to modern, travel-sized versions of your favorite board games, there’s something for everyone on this list of the 30 best travel games. Whether you’re looking for a game to play during a long flight, a road trip, or a quiet evening at your campsite, these portable, engaging options will keep you entertained and connected with your travel companions. So, before you embark on your next journey, be sure to pack one or more of these travel games and get ready for hours of fun and laughter on the go!

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These product selections are not a recommendation of product quality or reliability by Violet Sky Adventures LLC, manufacturers and retailers are responsible for the quality of all products. Descriptions used in this post were created using sellers information on their Amazon stores.

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35 Best Travel Games To Play On Your Next Vacation

Posted on Published: November 13, 2020  - Last updated: July 31, 2024

Categories Travel , Travel Tips

There are many reasons you may want to bring board games on the go.

Travel games are the perfect source of entertainment while you’re on a road trip , waiting for a flight, have some time to spare before dinner reservations, or are just looking for something to do that isn’t staring at a screen.

My partner and I are huge board game fans when we’re at home, so we love packing some games any time we’re travelling. Not all games are good travel games though … so I put together a list of the best games for travel.

To qualify as a travel game, it has to be either small and compact, easily malleable, or you can transfer all the pieces from the box to one convenient travel pouch.

I’ve included travel games for adults, solo games, family friendly games, party travel games, and games lasting anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours! 

Psst! This post contains affiliate links. It sends a bit extra my way if your buy anything through my links, at no extra cost to you!

You might also be interested in…

10 Best Cooperative Board Games For Travel: Perfect For Families!

In a cooperative game, every one plays on the same team – you win together and you lose together. This is my favourite type of game and it’s perfect to avoid any added fights on vacation!

Classic Card Travel Games To Play On Vacation

Card games are no brainer travel games because they’re SUPER packable ! There isn’t much to pack, except for well… a deck of cards.  

They fit into almost any space, and can be played anywhere. You usually don’t need a large surface to play a card game like would need for a board game.

1. A Simple Deck of Cards

The possibilities are pretty much endless with a basic deck of cards. There’s always another card game you could play and replay.  

There are solo games like Solitaire, two-player games like Spit, and group games like Go Fish!

See the ultimate list of games you can play with a deck of cards .

Shop A Deck Of Cards

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Players : 2-10 Age : 7+ Average Game Time : Varies 45 minutes

Is there any better classic card game than UNO? This was a must bring on every family vacation.

The game is simple: everyone is trying to get rid of all their cards to win.

The only problem? You keep having to pick up cards to match specific colours and numbers. So, it may be easier said than done!  

There’s classic UNO, but these days there’s many other iterations of this family fun game.

P.S. UNO is also very similar to the classic game of Crazy Eights that you can play with any deck of cards if you don’t have UNO on hand. 

Buy Amazon.com Buy Amazon.ca Shop Uno Flip! Buy Amazon.com Buy Amazon.ca Shop UNO Dare Buy Amazon.com Buy Amazon.ca

Travel Games: Protect Your Cards While Traveling…

• Hermitshell Hard Travel Storage Carrying Case
• Protect your favorite device from bumps dents and scratches
• Made to fit Mattel UNO Classic Card Game – Not Including Cards

Buy Hard Case on Amazon.ca

3. Monopoly Deal

Players: 2-5 Age : 8+ Average Game Time: 15 minutes

If you like Monopoly and are upset that the board is just to big to travel with, Monopoly Deal is the ultimate alternative to turn Monopoly into one of the best games for travel! 

Monopoly Deal is a card-only version of Monopoly. It’s the same idea as the original, you’re trying to build the same colour set of properties. But instead of moving around a board, you play and pick up cards. 

It’s a lot quicker than Monopoly too, so you can play a round in 10 to 20 minutes . This makes it a game to play at the beach, before dinner reservations, or waiting for a connecting flight.

Shop Monopoly Deal

4. mille bornes.

Players : 2-6  Age : 7+ Average Game Time : 20 minutes

Milles Bornes is the original racing card game! I loved this card game growing up but it isn’t just for kids. It’s one of the best card travel games for adults – it’s fast paced, and unexpected!  

The object of the game is to be the first person to reach 1000 kilometers. But watch out, you don’t want to run out of gas, get a flat tire, or crash!  

Shop Mille Bornes

Players: 2-6 Age: 7+ Average Game Time: 20 minutes

Similar to UNO, the winner is the first person to get rid of all their cards. But, in Skip Bo, it works a bit differently. 

In Skip Bo, each player has their own draw pile and there are 4 build piles in the middle. Everyone is trying to build the piles in ascending order.

So when it’s your turn to build on the piles, the goal is to get rid of as many cards as you can.  

Shop Skip Bo!

Unique Card Travel Games

These next set card games are more unique, but are some of the best games for travel!

If you’re a bit more of an avid gamer, these will probably be more up your ally. Requiring a bit more strategy and a bit less luck. They resemble more of what you’re used to with board games, just with cards only! 

I’ve also included some cooperatives travel games which means you’ll be teaming up with your travel partners to win! These are perfect if you’re travelling with family and you want to avoid any sibling fights…

P.S. Interested in more cooperative board games for travelling? Check out my 10 top in my post here.

Going on a road trip?

Check out my digital and printable road trip I Spy game on Etsy .

Players: 2-5 Age: 8+ Average Game time: 20-30 minutes Similar Games: The Mind

We actually bought Hanabi while travelling in Aix-en-Provence for a month and now it’s one of our go-to travel games. 

Hanabi is a very different game than what you might be use to. It’s a co-op game that teaches you how to communicate with others, without actually being able to vocalize anything.

You see, in Hanabi, you don’t get to look at your own cards, so it’s up to your teammates to tell you what to play. 

The objective of the game is to “light” 5 sets of fireworks by matching the number and colour… all without seeing your own cards.  

An alternative option to Hanabi is  The Mind .

Shop Hanabi

7. kittens in a blender.

Players : 2-4 Age : 6+ Average Game Time: 30 minutes

Before disregarding this game based on the title, know that no cats are harmed while playing. Although I’ll admit the subject matter is a bit dark, so perhaps this is one of those travel games for adults only…

To play Kittens In A Blender, each player has kittens they’re trying to save, while also trying to blend those of your opponent.

The winner is the player who has the least amount of kittens blended.

The best part is that you use the box it comes while playing, so all the cards stay contained.

Shop Kittens In A Blender

8. pack o games.

Pack O Games are THE SMALLEST travel games you can find. I always throw them in my bag regardless of where I’m going, just because they’re so small.  

The downside is that although the cards themselves are small too.

The games I own also take up quite a bit of table space while playing as well.  

I own four Pack O Play: Boo, Bus, TKO, and Gym. Each one is significantly different, with varying game-time as well.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to get them in Canada. You can order them online from their website , or if you find yourself in the States, pick them up at Barnes & Noble.

Shop Pack O Games

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You might also be interested in reading…

Useful Travel Gift Ideas From $5 To $100+ Every Traveller Will Love

9. Codenames

Players : 2,6, or 8 Age : 10+ Average Game Time : 15 minutes

Alternate Version : Codenames Duet, Harry Potter Codenames, Disney Codenames.

Similar (easier) Game Cross Clues  

Codenames is a bit of a trickier game to travel with, but it’s still do-able. You only need to pack 2 decks of cards, which can fit into a pouch or bag. The downside to this game is the amount of space you need to set it up. You need a decent size table to create a 5×5 grid.  

To play Codenames, you also need an even number of players . The idea is to get your partner to guess certain cards based on a one word clue you’ve given them. Watch out though, there are certain cards that will cause you to lose the game if your partner guesses it instead! 

If you’re traveling with only two players, I recommend Codenames Duet , as it’s tailored to 2 players.

There are also a few themed Codenames you can buy. For example, we own Harry Potter Codenames but there’s also Disney Codenames! What I like about Harry Potter (aside from the theme) is that they also give you different scenarios to play.

Shop Codenames

Codenames Duet Buy Amazon.com Buy Amazon.ca

Harry Potter Codenames Buy Amazon.com Buy Amazon.ca

Disney Codenames Buy Amazon.com Buy Amazon.ca

Protect Your Travel Games In Style

Shop Codenames travel case on Amazon.com Shop Codenames travel case on Amazon.ca

10. The Fox In The Forest

Players : 2 Age : 10+ Average Game Time : 30 minutes

The Fox in the Forest is what’s known as a trick-taking game . You have to play cards to take your opponents card (similar to the card game WAR, but with actual strategy).

This is a max 2 player game , so it’s the perfect travel game for couples.

There are actually two versions of this game:

The original Fox in the Forest is competitive , where you’re playing against your opponent to get the most points (cards).

They’ve also released Fox in the Forest Duet, where you’re on a team with your partner. You can’t talk to each other though, which adds a very interesting dynamic to the game.

Shop Fox In The Forest

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11. The Crew

Players:  2-5 (best 3+ but there is a 2 player variant) Age : 10+ Average Game Time:  20 minutes

This game is AMAZING! It’s so simple, so packable, and quick to learn and play. The Crew is a limited communication and cooperative trick taking game but with an outer space theme. 

(P.S. They’ve just released a new edition The Crew Mission Deep Sea !)

That means you’re working together through different missions to win the game… but you can’t speak to each other.

The Crew changes it up by giving you different missions each time you play. You might need one person to win a specific card or maybe they can’t win any cards at all! Remember, if a person fails their mission, you’ll all fail.

A mission can take you anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. But there’s no limit to how many missions you can play in a row. 

Shop The Crew

12. spot it.

Players:  2-8 Age : 6+ Average Game Time:  5 minutes

Spot It! is an extremely compact game to travel with, perfect for any age!

The goal is to find a common symbol between two cards.

It sounds simple, but it’s fast paced, and beyond fun!

The game even comes with 5 different ways to play to change things up a bit!

Shop Spot It!

13. bohnanza.

Players:  3-7 Age : 12+ Average Game Time:  45 minutes

Bohnanza is a card game where you plant crops of beans, trying to create combos to get the most points to win.

There’s a trading aspect of the game, but it’s not necessary.

There’s also a two version of the player game (that I actually prefer, and that’s the one I own, although I have yet to see it in English… There’s a German version on Amazon , and I own the French version!)

Shop Bohnanza!

14. mindbug.

Players:  2 Age : 8+ Average Game Time:  15 minutes

I’m not going to lie to you, I actually hate this game. But not every game is going to be for me, and that’s okay. My partner LOVES it!

It’s a two player game where you’re battling the other players monsters with different abilities.

The catch!? You each have two “mind bug” cards where you can steal the other players cards at any moment.

So it’s a battle game with a little game of chicken as well to time using your mind bug on the right card.

I think if you’re a fan of Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh battling games, it’s very similar.

Shop Mindbug!

Asmodee Games Boardgames(.)ca

Card Travel Games For Adults

The next two card travel games I’d only really recommend as adults games to play on vacation due to their difficulty and subject matter.

My digital and printable packing guide on Etsy . Filled with packing planning prompts for your next trip!

P.S. Get an additional discount on my Etsy shop with my code ATRLOVE !

Players : 2-6 Age : 13+ Average Game Time : 15 minutes

Coup is a travel game of deception.

Essentially, you have to trick your opponents into believing you have a certain character cards.

Each character has a different ability that you may need to win the game, but you’re only dealt 2 cards.  

The game says you can play two players, although I don’t recommend it. It becomes very quick and not that interesting, so it’s much better at higher player counts.  

If deception games are up your alley, there’s no better travel games for adults than Coup. The only thing you will need to pack are a deck of cards and a few tokens.

You also don’t need a lot of space to set up the game.

16. The Grizzled

Players:  2-5 (best 3+ but there is a 2 player variant) Age : 14+ Average Game Time:  30 minutes

The Grizzled  is another cooperative card game that is perfect to bring on your next trip.

This is the ultimate game for board game lovers. On the outside, it looks like a simple card game, but the game play can be quite complex.

Even though it’s such a small box, the game gives you all the complexities of a larger board game! 

The Grizzled has a WWI theme where players are friends that are working together to come home safely, but there’s a catch…. You can’t speak to each other! This makes it a very strategic game.

We’ve only ever won a handful of times! It plays best with three or more players, but we play it with two and still love it!

There’s also  an expansion you can buy  if you want even more replay-ability!

Buy The Grizzled

Best Group Board Games For Travelling (& Partying!)

These next few are easy to pack travel games are perfect if you’re travelling with a bigger group. All these travel games work for 8 or more people, but some can still be played solo or in pairs. 

These are the best board games for travelling if you’re renting a cabin in the country with some friends, or going on a family vacation. 

17. Paku Paku

Players: 2-8 Age: 8+ Average Game time: 10 minutes

Paku Paku is a whirlwind of fun in such a tiny box!

It’s the perfect game when you only have a few minutes to spare, or to ramp up the start of the evening games.

You’re rolling and passing die as fast as you possibly can because you don’t want to end up with all of them.

On top of that, if you roll the wrong thing, then you’ll have to stack a dish and hope the stack doesn’t come crashing down!

Buy Paku Paku Go

18. sushi go (party).

Players: 2-8 Age: 8+ Average Game time: 20 minutes

Sushi Go is a pass-and-go sushi building game! You get points for building different sushi rolls. But I said it was pass and go right, so your cards are always changing .

The person with the most points at the end wins! 

You can play this game with as little as two people, but I find it a lot more fun the more players you have.

Sushi Go Party is the same as the original Sushi Go, it just comes with a board, more cards, and let’s you play with more people. I’ve only heard good things about the Party version, and it’s the recommended game to get out of the two.

Either way, it all comes in a beautifully compact tin which makes it one of the best games for travel!

Buy Sushi Go

Buy Sushi Go Party

19. Cards Against Humanity

Players : 4-20+ Age:  17+ Average Game Time:  30-90 minutes

Similar game : Joking Hazard , where you finish a comic strip instead of a sentence.   

Some advance warning, this game isn’t for the faint of heart, but it is hilarious!

You’ll be sure to have a grand time with your friends playing this game.  

The goal of the game is to answer questions, or finish sentences with the cards in your hand. You want to come up with the most ridiculous answers to win.  

This game is sure to get the party started and everyone laughing their heads off. You’ll end up with some hilarious responses, and ones that make absolutely zero sense. 

There are expansion packs you can also buy, or knock offs based on specific themes. This is another example of travel games for adults, but in this case there are more family friendly versions called Cards Against Maturity – see it on Amazon here .

Shop Cards Against Humaniy

20. bananagrams.

Players : 1-8 Age : 7+ Average Game Time:  10 minutes

Bananagrams is similar to Scrabble, only you don’t need a board, and you’re racing others to build your own crossword grid.

So, although you do need space for everyone to build their own grid, it comes in the most handy travel pouch ever – one that’s shaped like a banana!

This game is perfect for larger groups, or by yourself trying to beat your best time! 

If you are planning on playing it in a larger group, you can also pick up Bananagrams Party , which adds extra chaos tiles to the game to make it more interesting.

Shop Bananagrams

21. 5 second rule.

Players : 3+ Age : 10+ Average Game Time : 30 minutes

5-Second Rule is a fast paced game that is sure to stump you.

The object of the game is to answer questions in only 5 seconds . Rapid fire fun! It’s so easy to pick up and learn, so it’s perfect if you’re a bigger group! 

This game really gets you thinking! The answers people come up with when they only have 5 seconds to think will shock you! It’s a game that keeps everyone laughing the whole night long!

If you’re short on space, leave the board at home and just bring the timer with some cards! 

Shop 5 Second Rule

22. sherlock holmes consulting detective.

Players : 1-8 Age : 14+ Average Game Time:  90+ minutes

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is a cooperative game where you’re trying to solve mysteries in London faster than Sherlock Holmes can.

We were very skeptical about this game at first but fell in LOVE!

You’re given 10 Sherlock Holmes cases to solve. Head ups, it’s very story heavy with a lot of reading. But, there’s also a lot of heated discussion and problem solving with the other players that takes place.

Keep in mind, you’ll only be able to play each scenario once (because then you’ll know the answers!).

But, I find it takes us a lot longer than they say to solve each case. Each case could last as long as 2-3 nights to play.  

You don’t have to bring the entire huge box with you either. Pack one or two case files, the map, and directory. It makes for a spooky, collaborative game night on vacation!  

Shop Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

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23. Table Tennis

This game isn’t really a group game because only two people can play at once, but it is a more physically active game to bring, and you can always set up rules to play the winner.  

The pieces are packable and you can set it up on any table!

Shop Table Tennis

Best Board Games On The Go That Are Easy To Pack

Everyone loves classic games like Scrabble and Battleship, but did you know there are travel-friendly versions to take with you on vacation!?

You can also turn most games into vacation games by leaving the huge box at home and packing your game contents in a pouch ( like these on Amazon ). Now it’ll fit almost anywhere! I own several pouches, of all different sizes.

24. Travel Scrabble

Players : 2-4 Age : 8+ Average Game Time : 25 minutes

Scrabble, the classic word game! You probably wouldn’t think of Scrabble when you think of travel games. I mean, there are a lot of loose pieces!

But they actually sell a travel-friendly Scrabble. It’s the same game you know and love, building words with letters to maximize points. But it comes in a compact zip folder where you can store all the pieces. The letters also click into the board so you don’t have to worry about losing any pieces haphazardly.  

We used to play this game on our long drive to Florida from Montreal in the car!  

Shop Travel Scrabble

25. trivial pursuit.

The classic game of Trivial Pursuit tests your knowledge. They sell different board-less versions, plus they have a  ton of themes  for you to choose from!

If you have the original board game, you can still travel with it by leaving the board at home. Just take the cards and dice along with you to play on the go.  

We bought the Harry Potter version (of course) but they also sell Friends version and one for horror fans  …etc.. You can also buy a few based on your interests and mix and match, or build up your collection over the years!

Shop Trivial Pursuit

Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Amazon.ca

10 Best Cooperative Board Games For Travelling: Perfect For Families!

26. Pictionary

Players: 4 Age: 8+ Similar: Pictionary Card Game, Pictionary Air

Pictionary is a group drawing and guessing game. You’re in teams, so you do need an even number of people to play .  

It’s one of the best games for travel because the game can be as small as you want it to be. The largest part is the box, but if you remove all the contents it becomes a pretty compact game.

We used to need to bring tons of paper when we brought this game on family vacations, but now it even comes with a dry-erase board .

They also sell a card only game  if you prefer card travel games. You build your pictures with pre-drawn cards. Or,  Pictionary Air , if you’re bringing an IPad with you on vacation. 

Shop Pictionary

Original Buy Amazon.com Buy on Amazon.ca

Pictionary Card Game Buy Amazon.com Buy on Amazon.ca

Pictionary Air Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Amazon.ca

Players : 4+ Age:  13+ (option for Taboo Jr with easier words)

Taboo is the opposite of Pictionary. Instead of of drawing, you have to use words. But in Taboo some words are off limits and can’t be spoken! 

The game contains a timer, cards, buzzer, and die (to select the word category). Perfect for travelling, just put it in a pouch and you’re good to go. It’s also quick to pick up and play on the whim! 

28. Battleship

Players: 2 Age: 7+ Average Game Time : 15 minutes

The classic game of Battleship also comes in a travel-friendly compact size . This game can only be played with two people though. 

You set up your boats in the ocean and call out coordinates to try and sink your opponent’s boats.  

You want to have the last battleship standing to win the game. 

Shop Battleship

29. the bloody inn.

Players : 2-4 Age:  14+ Average Game Time : 30-60 minutes

You’ve probably never heard of The Bloody Inn, but it’s one of our favourite travel games.

It has the potential to be short or long making it super flexible for travel WITH. 

The theme is exactly what you’d imagine. You’re murdering guests at the hotel, and trying to get away with it (it’s also in the travel games for adults section!).

Each player is building their own deck, and trying to get the most points at the end of the game.  

It comes with a board, cards, and a few tokens. The board is quite small, so it easily fits in a small pouch, making one of the ultimate boards games on the go! 

Shop The Bloody Inn

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30. Quoridor

Players : 2-4 Age : 8+ Average Game Time : 10 minutes Similar Games : Blokus

A bartender in Vienna recommended this game to us as it was simple to explain and the game time was relatively short.

Quoridor similar to games like chess or checkers, where the goal is to get your pawn to the other side of the board. But in Quoridor, you also have pieces to block your opponent or secure your own path to the other side.  

It’s a very interesting strategy game that can be so frustrating at times but that will keep you playing time and time again! 

You can buy the full size version, but it also comes in a lightweight travel size, making it one of the best board games for travelling! 

Shop Quoridor

Best Games For Travel – Solo Travel Games

These next few travel games are perfect if you’re a solo traveler, or you want to zone out by yourself for a bit. There are times when you want a single player game to pass the time. 

These were my top board games on the go for our 25 hour drive to Florida from Montreal. I was always in the back row of our van by myself. I’d zone out with some music and entertain myself for a few hours with these travel games.

That being said, these games also have the possibility to be played with other people. You can collaborate and think of solutions together. 

31. 20 Questions

The goal of 20 Questions is to figure out what you’re thinking about in 20 questions or less… with only yes or no questions.

You can play this game by yourself and with others, and without any device at all. But, this game console kept me entertained for HOURS – even when no one else wanted to play.  

I’d see things on the road and would try and have the game figure out what I was thinking of. It’s surprising how many times it got the right answer!

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32. rush hour.

I LOVE Rush Hour!

It’s a problem solving strategy game that’s small enough to travel with.  

You’re a car stuck in traffic, and you’re trying to rearrange yourself and the other cars to get to the exit.

Cards give you different scenarios to solve, increasing the difficulty as you go.  

The cards are stored away in the box, and the pieces fit on the board while you play.

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33. shape by shape.

Shape by Shape is very similar to Rush Hour.

Instead of trying to move the pieces around to get out of traffic, you’re recreating images with shapes.

It’s way harder than it looks! You have to get all the shapes to fit together perfectly.

Shop Shape By Shape

Best electronic game console for travel: the nintendo switch.

If you’re interested in having a travel-friendly console, there’s none better than the Nintendo Switch .  

Game consoles are actually very convenient for travel. All you have to pack is the console itself, which is typically pretty small, and some games.

The games take up no space at all! They’re small SD cards, or you can buy them directly on your switch and have them pre-downloaded. 

I had a NintendoDS growing up and would take it with me on every vacation. Now, I have (well, my partner has) a Nintendo Switch and we LOVE it! It’s the only console you’ll ever need because it hooks up to the TV if you want to play with a larger group, but you can also play handheld if you’re a single player.

Buy a Nintendo Switch on Amazon.ca Buy a Nintendo Switch on Amazon.com

34. Best Single-Player Travel Games On the Nintendo Switch

There are countless single player games for the Nintendo Switch. We buy more multi-player games to play together, but these are some of our favourite single player games on the Switch.

35. Best Multi-Player Travel Games On the Nintendo Switch

This is what I love about the switch: the ability to pack and play by yourself and others. We’ve brought it to the country to play with friends. Nintendo sells tons of games that are perfect party games.  

For example, Mario Party, Arms, Mario Kart, Super Smash…etc. All of these also have a solo mode, but they’re the perfect party game. You can even buy classic games like  Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, and Risk for the Switch  ( U.S. link ) !

Take Almost Any Board Games On The Go​

You can transform almost any game into a travel friendly version by buying a pouch or smaller tin to transport the contents in, as long as the board is small enough to fit inside, and there aren’t too many pieces to keep track of.

It’s the box that takes up most of the space, and they’re usually half empty! 

I’ve brought countless games on vacation by just removing them from their box and putting all the contents into a separate pouch.  

If you’re worried about bending your cards, they also sell convenient cases to keep all your cards safe in.

Read More Travel Tips

• 10 Best Cooperative Board Games For Travel: No Fights Here!
• Top 11 Travel Essentials I Never Leave Home Without
• Useful Travel Gift Ideas From $5 To $100+ Every Traveller Will Love [2022]

Share The Best Travel Games To Take With You On Vacation!

Last update on 2024-08-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sunday 4th of June 2023

Hi, I just wanted to say that your list was amazing - it had all sorts and was so well written. I felt that I understood the gameplay and whether or not it was my kinda game!

I've just ordered The Crew thanks to your list.

Hope to read more board game recommends in the future. :)

Monday 5th of June 2023

Thanks so much for your comment - made my day to read :D I'm so glad you liked my post and recommendations. I really hope you enjoy The Crew! It's one of our favourites to bring on family vacations!

Tuesday 9th of May 2023

Very good tips - I will certainly try them out. I liked the way you shared all this information in detail.

Saturday 6th of May 2023

Awesome post! Thanks for the ideas! A couple of our family favorites are Zombie Dice and Get Bit Deluxe. Get Bit also has a regular version, but the deluxe version is in a tin that makes it more durable.

Monday 8th of May 2023

Thanks so much! I'll definitely have to check those out - I love a good game that comes in a tin for travel! Just so convenient!

LINDSAY VOEGELE

Thursday 4th of May 2023

We like to take Love Letter with us when we travel. It fits in my purse and is easy to teach to random strangers who want to play a game haha!

Hi Lindsay, I love that!!

I've seen that game in so many board game stores but have never played it! I'll have to pick it up the next time and give it a try!

Tuesday 30th of August 2022

Hi! There's a great new holiday game that should be on your list! It's called Bah Humbug!

Tuesday 6th of September 2022

Thanks so much for the suggestion I'll be sure to keep an eye out to play that game this holiday season! Right now I couldn't find it for sale, it seems relatively new but supposed to be released this year!

5 best travel board games to take on holiday this summer

Carry-on cardboard.

With vaccines rolling out it’s hopefully not long until we can once again shove ourselves into tiny airplane seats and lose our luggage on the way to stunning destinations around the world.

Whether you’re cruising around the Caribbean, sightseeing in San Marino or surfing off the coasts of South America, it’s always worth bringing a travel board game or two for those warm nights in the hotel.

Best travel board games

• Railroad Ink Challenge
• Tiny Epic series
• Welcome to the Dungeon
• Dice Academy

If you are taking cardboard abroad, you’re going to need portable board games that fit in your luggage alongside the rest of your holiday essentials.

1. Railroad Ink Challenge

Roll, write and ride your way across this travel-themed dice game

With travel on the mind it seems fitting that we start this list with a game all about train lines and roads - and thanks to a brand new entry in the series it also happens to be the newest board game of the bunch.

Railroad Ink, along with its new advanced version Railroad Ink Challenge, is a roll-and-write puzzler that can be enjoyed solo or with up to three other players. In the game you’ll spend a number of turns rolling picture dice and drawing whatever shapes and routes come up onto your wipe-clean board.

Each player board has the same arrangement of open train tracks and roads along each side of its 7x7 square grid. Your job is to draw the routes that pop up in each roll of the dice to try and connect those open paths together, with each connection worth more and more points if you can connect them all to the same route. You’ll also score points for filling in the centre squares of your board and for the longest unbroken railway and highway on your board at the end of the game.

Railroad Ink is a delightfully simple game that can be picked up in a matter of minutes, hiding most of its complexities in the moment-to-moment decisions of each turn. You’ll need to gamble on certain dice rolls coming up in the future if you decide to strike out into new paths, as unfinished routes will lose you points in the final tally. Knowing where to put when and what will be the difference between victory and defeat - and as every player around the table is drawing from the same dice results, you’ll only have yourself to blame.

To step things up a notch, Railroad Ink Challenge adds some new scoring opportunities as well as an extra dose of complexity to the mix. Brand new buildings on the board can be connected to your routes in exchange for a special reward, while objective cards will have you racing against the clock or your competitors to fulfill them first in exchange for more points. Railroad Ink Challenge doesn’t necessarily reinvent the (train) wheel but it introduces a few new mechanics and concepts to give veteran players a fresh experience.

There’s a lot to love about Railroad Ink and it’s packed with plenty of replay value if you’re limited in the amount of games you can bring on your travels. While it’s probably the largest box in this list, it has a very small footprint on the table during plays. With just a handful of dice, a board and pen each you could very easily play this on a train table or flip-out airplane table without too much fuss. It's odd that there are so many great board games about trains , but this is the world we live in.

Buy Railroad Ink Challenge on Amazon US and Amazon UK .

2. Tiny Epic series

Tiny by name, Epic by nature

We’d be remiss to write up an entire list of tiny games and not mention at least one of the Tiny Epic series from Gamelyn Games. As you can probably guess from the name, each of the Tiny Epic games takes a popular genre or theme and condenses it all into the smallest possible package. There’s Tiny Epic Zombies, Tiny Epic Quest, Tiny Epic Galaxies, Tactics, Western, Kingdoms... The series already has a massive list of titles, and designer Scott Almes doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon with more already on the way thanks to Kickstarter.

What exactly is a Tiny Epic Game? Well, it depends on which one you pick up. While there are similarities between some of the titles, each is its own take on a different grander experience. Tiny Epic Zombies, for example, sees your players fighting off hordes of the undead in a bid for survival amongst the fluorescent lights and broken window panes of an abandoned shopping mall. Tiny Epic Quest follows your band of adventurers as they travel across a fantasy kingdom to fight goblins, delve into dungeons and source legendary items and spells. Zombies plays like a tabletop tower-defence game, while Quest is more like a movement puzzle with push-your-luck dice throwing.

The important thing is that all of these games, despite their absolutely miniscule packaging, can easily go toe-to-toe with games that far outweigh them in size and footprint. One of the most impressive aspects about the Tiny Epic series is the way Gamelyn Games is able to squeeze such big ideas into such small boxes. The components and solutions might get smaller and smaller, but their ideas never seem to shrink as a result.

One problem you may run into with the Tiny Epic series is that the small box size doesn’t always mean that the game itself won’t take up much room when you start setting it up. Tiny Epic Quest sprawls across the table once it’s fully prepared for play - which is impressive if you’ve got the space for it, but pretty useless if you’re trying to squeeze the game onto an equally miniature playspace. Maybe avoid it if you’re looking for something to play on the train or in an airplane.

If you plan on picking up one game from the Tiny Epic series for your travels, go with Tiny Epic Galaxies, a dice-rolling strategy game in which you must seize control of planets to harvest their resources and grow your empire. As it’s mostly dice and cards it doesn’t eat up your entire table, making it an ideal travel space-based board game .

Buy Tiny Epic Galaxies on Amazon US and Amazon UK .

3. Welcome to the Dungeon

Dungeon-crawling in a travel-friendly package

Welcome to the Dungeon, we most certainly do not have fun and games. Instead we’ve got an absolute infestation of goblins, skeletons, dragons and demons. Whoever is bravest - or most unfortunate - out of you and up to three friends will need to delve into its depths in search of some lucrative treasure.

In Welcome to the Dungeon, you and your friends will be collectively building a dungeon full of creatures by taking it in turns to draw from a deck of cards. Each card will show an illustration of the type of monster you’re dealing with, but more crucially it’ll also contain a number and some icons to show how that creature might be defeated. Once you’ve drawn a card you can either place it into the dungeon facedown, so only you know what’s been added, or you instead remove it from the game in exchange for also removing one of the available pieces of equipment.

At the start of the game, the players each decide which character they’d like to play. There’s the warrior, the barbarian, the mage and the rogue. Each one comes with their own set of custom armour, weapons and spells. To try and avoid damage you can use your abilities and equipment to ignore the effects of certain monsters, leaving them for your companions to deal with later.

Despite the name, only one of you sitting around the table will be forced to enter the dungeon each round. Instead of drawing a card from the deck on your turn - or if you can’t because the deck is empty - you can pass, removing you from the running. If everyone but you has already passed, it’s time to strap on your boots and light up your torch.

If you’re unlucky enough to enter, you’ll draw all the cards that you’ve collected in the dungeon one by one, discarding those that you can defeat with your equipment, and taking damage equal to the value on the card for each that you can’t. Make it through the deck with some health intact and you’ll earn one of the two victory cards you need to win the game. Die in the dungeon twice, and you’re out.

Welcome to the Dungeon becomes a game not just about dungeon-crawling , but of pushing your luck, knowing when to stick and when to fold. Do you go for glory and try to make it through the dungeon with your hide intact? Or do you ramp up the difficulty and watch your friends perish in the dark, claiming victory as the last player standing? Either way, it’s raucous good fun will leave you in stitches, and it takes up next to no room on the table - meaning you can travel far and wide in search of worthy (or foolhardy) adventurers.

Buy Welcome to the Dungeon on Amazon US and Amazon UK .

Guess your way through famous faces in this travel card game

Now we’re really getting tiny, because this Codenames-esque cooperative character guessing game for two or more players is literally just a deck of cards. Sporting one of these classic Top Trumps-style plastic boxes, Similo is an easy-breezy social deduction co-op game for all ages which will challenge your ability to communicate with limited information as you try to spot the differences and similarities from a range of different characters.

Depending on the set you choose you could be playing with fairytale characters such as Prince Charming and the Big Bad Wolf, or notable figures from history including Joan of Arc and Julius Caesar.

One player in the group acts as the clue-giver, while the rest will be trying to interpret their hints. At the start of the game, the clue-giver lays out a grid of 12 random characters face up for everyone to see. One of those cards is the character that all players are working to keep on the board until the end of the game - but only the clue-giver knows which one it is.

Each round the guessers have to remove an ever-increasing number of cards from the table: one card in the first round, two in the second, three in the third and so on until there is just one card remaining. If that card is the card the clue-giver has been hinting at, then everyone wins. Hooray!

The clue-giver is able to give their team-mates one clue each round to help them narrow down their search. These clues aren’t spoken out loud - the clue giver can’t speak at all during the game - but instead delivered in a very specific way. At the start of the game, the clue-giver draws five random cards from the remaining cards in the deck. Each round, they must choose one of these cards to play either vertically or horizontally in front of their guessers. If the card is played vertically it means that the character you’ve just played is in some way similar to the card your team is trying to protect, while horizontally means the opposite - a lack of similarity.

The rules are as simple as that, but in play they become a lot trickier because you’ll have to weigh up those clues you’re given against an entire tableau of characters, each with loads of different elements to consider. Not to mention the clue-giver must just do their best with the cards they have available to them.

Similo is a fantastic travel board game for families on holiday, but it’s also just a great co-op game to play with some drinks at an airport bar when everyone’s a little too tipsy or jetlagged to learn something complicated. It’s a hub of debates and comes with some lovely illustrations, all in a single deck of cards.

Buy Similo Fables on Amazon US and Amazon UK .

5. Dice Academy

Few travel games are more portable than a handful of dice

Our smallest travel game on the list is also one of the best quick-playing board games out there. Dice Academy’s box is technically bigger than Similo’s - but if you look inside you’ll find just a handful of dice that are solid enough to just sit at the bottom of a travel bag unprotected, making this a highly flexible option for gamers on the go.

Dice Academy sees you and any number of friends battling it out to be the best word-knower of the bunch. The ten dice are split into five colours, with a letter die and subject die for each. The letter dice are pretty self-explanatory; they’ve got different letters on each side. The category dice, meanwhile, are covered in little pictures denoting the type of words you’ll be looking for. It could be the name of a country, a type of vehicle, a fictional character, or even just “something rectangular” - which is an absolute nightmare.

You roll the categories first, making sure everyone gets a good look at them and understands what they’re trying to guess. As soon as you roll the letter dice, the round begins. You and all the other players around the table will be racing in real time to try and think of words that start with the letter on one die and match the category on another. Country that begins with F: FRANCE. Tree or plant that begins with W: WYSTERIA. Item of clothing that begins with G: GILET.

Once you’ve thought of a word you’ll need to say it out loud and then grab the pair of dice you used to make your word, placing them safely in front of you (Unless someone else already grabbed them before you could get your mouth and hands to work properly.) Each pair of dice you pick up is worth a point, and you choose a total to play to at the start of the game.

There’s only one complication that might trip you up, which is in theory very simple but becomes complicated in the rush to grab dice. You’re not allowed to grab a pair of dice that are the same colour. If you do, you have to put them back on the table and can no longer make any guesses for the rest of the round. The same rule applies if you grab a pair of dice and mess up, either because you thought a word started with a different letter or because it didn’t fit the category correctly.

That’s everything you need to know to play Dice Academy. You can learn in seconds and play for as long as you like.

The frantic scramble as you desperately try to think of literally anything rectangular that begins with the letter F is delectable. Dice Academy definitely isn’t for everyone, but if you love silly games that don’t outstay their welcome and enjoy getting shouty and racing against the clock then it’s a no-brainer. It’ll fit in the pocket of a pair of jeans and you can get it for about a fiver, making it the perfect travel game no matter how far you’re going.

Buy Dice Academy on Amazon UK .

Read this next

• Guess Who-ish co-op card game gem Similo is headed to Middle-earth with a Lord of the Rings edition
• Railroad Ink Challenge rolls, writes and rides its way onto PC and mobile
• Guess Who meets Mysterium card game Similo is coming to mobile and PC

We’ll be back after this short break

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Traffic Escape!

Traffic Escape! is a logic puzzle game where you play as a traffic controller. The roads are completely blocked and it's up to you to get traffic flowing again. Each car has an arrow on it, telling you where that car wants to go. Select the cars in the right order and solve the traffic jam! There's tons of levels to play, including some extra difficult boss levels. There's also Level Race, in which you compete with 4 others to complete levels as fast as possible. Win the race and an epic prize will be yours! Can you solve the traffic jams and become a hero of the highway?

How to play Traffic Escape!?

• Click on a car to move it!

Who created Traffic Escape!?

Traffic Escape! is created by FOMO Games. Play their other games on Poki: Doctor Hero , Cookie Master , Perfect Peel and Woodcraft !

How can I play Traffic Escape! for free?

You can play Traffic Escape! for free on Poki.

Can I play Traffic Escape! on mobile devices and desktop?

Traffic Escape! can be played on your computer and mobile devices like phones and tablets.

• Brain Games
• Mouse Games
• Puzzle Games
• Simulation Games
• Logic Games

15 Best Travel Games for Kids and Families to Play in Cars, Planes and Hotels

From toddlers to teenagers, these games will make time fly on your next road trip or plane ride.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

For the younger kids, you'll want to opt for a self-contained game to prevent pieces from getting lost. For older kids, we suggest more complex games to hold their attention for hours — just look for ones that can be played on a flat but compact surface, like plane tray-tables or even the RV floor. But no matter where you're going or how you plan on getting there, there are plenty of choices to keep your family (or even just yourself!) playing and laughing for hours. So before you pack up your suitcase and head out, check out all of our favorite travel games below. Looking for more family fun? Don't miss our roundups of the best beach games , the best board games for families and the best video games , too.

MONOPOLY Monopoly Deal Card Game

You can't bring the full-size board game on the road, so bring this fast-paced playing card version of Monopoly instead. Players collect properties as they use action cards to earn money throughout the game — no houses, die or game pieces necessary! Ages 8+

Bananagrams

Bananagrams comes in a cute, banana-shaped pouch that's easy to pack in your purse — the perfect game to play in case you're left with time to kill before you can check into your hotel room! Race your family to be the first one to build a crossword using all your tiles. Ages 7+

Hasbro Gaming Yahtzee Handheld Digital Game

Take the electronic version of the classic game on the go without worrying about losing dice . It's perfect for passing across the plane row to see who can get the best score. Ages 8+

SmartGames IQ Fit

This compact logic game is fun for one or many brains. The goal is to fit all the 3D pieces in the correct formation according to one of 100 different challenges. Ages 6+

Mattel Games Apples to Apples Mod Card Game

This version of the family favorite comes in convenient packaging that makes it easy to bring the fun wherever you go. Throw the pack in with your picnic for a day of playing games at the park. Ages 12+

Think Fun Fifteen Puzzle

While you run errands, your kid can stay busy by solving this old-school puzzle over and over again — and yes, that's the same design from your childhood. Ages 8+

PlayMonster Pop-a-Tops Match-a-Martian

Pop-a-Tops' cute UFO shaped game has a domed top that keep the dice contained and the cards fit into the body of the spacecraft. Give the container a "pop" (get it?) to roll the dice without worrying about losing them under the table. Ages 6+

Hasbro Gaming Clue Card Game

Enjoy the classic mystery game without all the small pieces (where did the candlestick go, anyway?) Now everyone in the family can play detective everywhere you go! Ages 8+

Farkel Pocket Dice Game

This travel dice game is small enough to stash just about anywhere, even in just your pocket . Since it's easy to put away too, you can take it out when you're sitting around waiting on food or on play it on tray tables without worrying about rushing to clean up. Ages 4+

Crayola Wonder Mess Free Coloring Activity Set

This coloring activity set comes with a hard shell case to store the coloring sheets, markers, stamps and ink pads all in one place. Since the Color Wonder markers can only draw on Color Wonder coloring pages, you don't have to worry about cleaning up stray marks . Age 3+

Tamagotchi Star Wars: R2-D2 Classic White

Take care of this pocket-sized friend by teaching them all kinds of tricks and playing one of the seven mini-games you can unlock. Ages 8+

This word guessing game is great to pull out when you're waiting around in the airport when your plane is inevitably delayed. Try and come up with as many words as you can before the timer runs out. Ages 8+

Hasbro Gaming Guess Who? Card Game

Like the other card games on this list, this playing card version of Guess Who? allows you to bring the classic guessing game along for the ride . Ages 4+

Frequent Flyer Game

While this board game isn't exactly travel friendly, it is a great way to teach your child the ins and outs of traveling before embarking on your family adventure together. Choose your home city and race to be the first to visit all 20 airports including JFK, BOS and DFW. Ages 8+

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo's newest console can easily convert from a home system to a portable system by detaching from the dock. So you can bring games like Mario Kart 8 , Super Mario Odyssey , and The Legend of Zelda basically anywhere. Ages 6+

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

The Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab provides expert reviews and advice on everything parents and children love. Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman has been testing games and toys for nearly 15 years and has served on several ASTM committees that help guide industry product testing standards. She has three toddlers who actively support her in her testing pursuits, too.

As the assistant to the Good Housekeeping Institute Director, Abigail Bailey regularly tests all manner of products and toys — and she has two younger siblings who graciously support her through game testing.

Abigail (she/her) is product reviews writer who has covered everything from kitchen gear to mattresses and smart blinds. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.A. in creative writing and earned her M.S. in publishing digital and print media from New York University. She currently works at Wirecutter, but has also spent time on staff at Good Housekeeping and The Southern Review literary magazine. In her free time you can find her quilting, cross-stitching or trying to figure out how to squeeze one more bookshelf in her tiny apartment. 

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Going on a road trip? These games will help you pass the time 

From classics like Scrabble and Uno to newer hits that prioritize conversation and connection, these games will appeal to everyone in the car.

No matter where you’re going on a road trip, travel games can be a great way to pass long hours in the car and create lasting memories.  

( Looking for ideas on where to go? Here are 25 essential drives for a U.S. road trip. )  

The best travel games should be small and light enough to pack with you. They should appeal to a wide range of ages and interests. And of course, they should provide hours of entertainment.

With that in mind, the classic card game Uno is our top choice for best overall travel game. It’s compact, fun for everyone, and easy to pack and pull out when the mood strikes.  

But it’s not the only one. We considered portable games in several categories too. From classic board games to Ping-Pong inspired matches, here are the best travel games to take on your next road trip.

The best travel games by category

We break down the best travel games based on different categories like board games, card games, and more.  

The best travel board games

Purple cow magnetic backgammon  .

One of the best travel board games is backgammon, considered the national game in many countries across the Middle East and the Mediterranean. This portable version of the classic board game is magnetized so the pieces don’t slide around. Simply open the case, roll the dice, and play. The board may be smaller, but the strategy remains the same.  

Keep in mind:   The magnets on the pieces aren’t the strongest but do a good enough job of staying mostly in place.  

Product details: Number of players: 2 | Ages: 5 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 |   Size: 6 x 3 inches  

Portable Puck Shot

Sturdy wooden pucks and a Baltic birch wood case make this portable hockey board game ideal for car trips, camping, or spending a cozy evening in a cabin. You don’t have to be a hockey lover to enjoy this fast-paced game either. It involves a simple sling that fires wooden pucks across the board at your opponent’s goal.  

Keep in mind:   The Portable Puck Shot game is a bit large and heavy, making it more suitable for a road trip than for carrying onto a plane.  

Product details:   Number of players: 2 | Ages: 6 and up | Minutes to play a round: 5 | Size: 17 x 10.25 inches  

Scrabble to Go

Buy it now on   Amazon

It’s not hard to see why Scrabble is one of the most popular board games around. It appeals to players across generations, stimulates the brain, and can spark fun debates. This miniature version comes with snap-in tiles that make it easy to play on bumpy car rides or pick up later, after a break.  

Keep in mind:   The tiles on this mini version are small, which may take some getting used to for some players.

Product details: Number of players: 2 to 4 | Ages: 8 and up | Minutes to play a round: 25 | Size: 10.63 x 2.50 x 10.63 inches

Best travel card games  

Song survivor.

This travel card game is a great way to kick off singalongs in the car or hotels after a long day of travel. Developed by Black-owned small business Doin’ The Most, the game involves drawing cards with one word, prompting each player to sing a song containing that word. If a player messes up the lyrics or can’t think of a song in time, they’re out. This card game is designed for players (and crooners) 13 and up, with easy and hard modes to help make the game as challenging as you want.  

Keep in mind:   Not everyone is into singing outside of the shower, so consider your audience of fellow players before bringing this one along.  

Product details: Number of players: 2 and up | Ages: 16 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: travel size  

52 Essential Conversations

The premise behind this intriguing travel card game springs from the idea that the art of engaging conversation never goes out of style. It’s a “social-emotional” learning game designed to get players thinking and talking about topics that can help people—including kids—open up, improve social skills, and spark creativity. The cards come in a small tin box, making them easy to keep organized and bring anywhere.  

Keep in mind: Although this travel card game is designed for players 5 and up, some questions lean more adult. If you’re playing with a multigenerational group, you can skip the questions better suited to adults or take them out of the deck before you play.  

Product details: Number of players: 2 and up | Ages: 5 and up | Minutes to play a round: NA | Size:   3 x 2 x 1 inches

This popular family card game is equally fun to play while traveling. You can go head to head with just one other person or as many as 10. The objective is to be the first person to get rid of all your cards. But achieving that goal depends on the luck of the draw. Just don’t forget to shout “Uno!” when you’re down to your last card. We love that this version comes in a sturdy tin for safekeeping.

Keep in mind:   This version of Uno incorporates graphic symbols on the cards so players with colorblindness can play too.  

Product details: Number of players: 2 to 10 |   Ages: 7 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: 3 x 2 x 5 inches

Exploding Kittens

Easy to learn and loads of fun, Exploding Kittens is a cheeky card game loosely based on Russian roulette. Players draw cards, but use strategy (plus special “immunity” cards) to avoid drawing an “exploding kitten” card. With its compact size and lack of any additional game pieces, this card game is a hilarious way to pass the time while traveling.

Keep in mind: This card game is available in English, but other languages (German, Spanish, Italian, and French) are in the works.  

Product details:   Number of players:   2 to 10 | Ages:   7 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: ‎4.41 x 6.38 x 1.5 inches  

Best travel games for adults

Pepper pong.

This portable spin on Ping-Pong and pickleball is one of the best travel games for adults. About the size of a shoebox, the game sets up virtually anywhere in a matter of seconds. Place the foldable net (called a Fence) on a picnic table at the park or any other relatively flat surface, and you’re good to go. The game’s three ball sizes (called Peppers) give you options for how aggressively you want to play. You can also feel good about purchasing this portable travel game—the makers say they donate a set to a recovery center or addiction-focused homeless center with each set they sell.  

Keep in mind:   There’s no official age minimum for this game. If you can swing the racket you can play. You’ll need a flat surface to set up.

Product details: Number of players: 2 to 4 | Ages: 3 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size: 12 x 7 x 4 inches

The Hygge Game

Buy it now at   Uncommon Goods

Hygge is the Danish word for coziness and the basis for this 300-question portable travel game. The questions are designed to foster meaningful conversations among friends and family members. Play it during long car rides, in a candlelit, hygge-inspired restaurant, or anyplace where you want to spark fun and thoughtful connections.  

Keep in mind: Some of the questions go pretty deep and might surprise people who prefer more superficial lines of interrogation.  

Product details: Number of players: 2 and up | Ages:   14 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 |   Size:   5.70 x 5.70 x 1.80 inches

Parents Are Human

Like the Hygge Game, Parents Are Human is a card game that fosters understanding and connections. This specific deck (others are designed for friends, romantic partners, and siblings) focuses on immigrant families, making it a great game for family road trips. Each set includes 50 question cards and 20 action cards in English on one side and another language on the other ( Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, Spanish, and Thai).

Keep in mind:   Some reviewers say you can’t play this card game many times with the same people.  

Product details:   Number of players: 2 and up | Ages:   13 and up | Minutes to play a round: NA | Size: ‎3.81 x 2.81 x 1.44 inches

Where Should We Begin

This traveling card game stems from relationship therapist and author Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin podcast and is ideally suited for adults. Cards with topics like “A dream I’ve never shared” and “One of the things that is keeping me up at night” help travel companions learn more about each other in an approachable way.

Keep in mind: Many reviewers prefer not to use the dice and pull randomly from the deck of cards instead.  

Product details: Number of players: 2 to 6 players | Ages: 18 and up | Minutes to play a round: NA | Size:   9.4 x 4.9 x 2.6 inches  

Best travel games for kids

Nex playground.

This compact game console works as a portable travel game that the whole family can play while on the road. The colorful cube uses motion sensors (with controllers or wearable gear) for family-friendly competition. Just plug Nex Playground into a TV and tap the library of more than 20 games and experiences ranging from dance-offs to sports competitions and activities like jumping in puddles with favorite cartoon characters.  

Keep in mind: You’ll need floor space of about 8 feet by 8 feet to play, since the game requires moving around. If you’re in a small hotel room or other tight space, that can be challenging.  

Product details:   Number of players: Up to 4 | Ages: 5 and up | Minutes to play a round:   5 | Size: 2.83 x 2.83 x 2.83 inches

Kanoodle Ultimate Champion

Popular on TikTok, this puzzle game can easily pack up and go with you on your next road trip. It comes with over 500 puzzles and a timer, challenging family members to use problem solving and spatial reasoning skills to beat the clock in time.  

Keep in mind:   This game requires two AAA batteries to operate.  

Product details: Number of players:   1 | Ages:   7 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 to 30 | Size: ‎5.75 x 2 inches  

Play Monster Take ’N Play Bingo

Kids can spend hours playing this traveling bingo game. The animal-based bingo cards are built into a metal case that closes for easy storage and transport. Two players take turns spinning the spinner and placing magnetic markers on the matching animals.

Keep in mind:   The magnet is built into one side of the marker pieces, so they’re not the strongest at staying put on the board. However, this game is hard to beat for an affordable and fun option.

Product details: Number of players:   2 | Ages:   4 and up | Minutes to play a round: 5 | Size:   1 x 6.50 x 6.50 inches

Pass the Pigs

Families will get a kick out of this adorable dice game that involves rolling a pair of pig-shaped pieces to score points. The first player to score 100 points wins. It’s also a great game to play anywhere while traveling, since it only requires a flat surface to play, plus the pigs, scoring pads, and pencils fit in a small plastic storage case that easily tucks into a backpack.  

Keep in mind: Small parts could pose a choking hazard for younger kids.  

Product details: Number of players:   2 | Ages:   7 and up | Minutes to play a round: 15 | Size:   1.63 x 4.25 x 9.25 inches

Our review process  

The best portable travel games are compact and light enough to take on a road trip or flight, can be contained in a case, and are still fun after multiple rounds of play.

Size:   Travel games shouldn’t be large and heavy. They should be small and light enough to fit easily into suitcases and carry-ons.

Multiplayer: Games for two or more players are best, since the whole point of travel games is to keep everyone entertained.  

Fun-factor: Travel games can help stave off boredom between activities, while you’re in transit, or during travel delays. So make sure you choose games that appeal across ages, interests, and have enough variety for the long haul.  

Tips for buying travel games

Size of the game

When it comes to the best travel games, size matters, whether you travel with just a carry-on suitcase or don’t want to bulk out your checked baggage. Look for games that are contained in a case small enough to fit into a backpack. On road trips, you can get away with larger games, especially if you’re driving your own vehicle.  

Game ratings and popularity

A game’s ratings and popularity can give you a good idea for whether or not it will work for your needs. A sure-fire tip is to look for reviews by customers with similar travel styles and companions as your own.  

Players’ ages

It goes without saying, but you’ll maximize fun by packing travel games that are appropriate for everyone in your group. Consider bringing a couple of games–one for spending time with the kids and another for adults.  

Time it takes to play a round

When shopping for the best travel games, keep in mind that some people can take longer to finish a game than others. Consider your travel companions’ attention spans and choose accordingly.  

Frequently asked questions

Are there travel-sized board games?

Yes, many classic and unique board games come in travel sizes. Some even have travel-friendly modifications, such as magnets to prevent pieces from sliding off the board and carrying cases that keep everything contained.  

How do you know if a game is good for traveling?

Some games are better suited to travel than others. Card games with a carrying case and board games that don’t have too many loose parts (or are magnetized) tend to be good options for the road. Consider the size and weight of the travel game’s carrying case too. Make sure there’s enough room among everything else you’re packing for your trip.  

What are the best travel games for an airplane?

Since space is limited on an airplane, look for games that don’t take up more room than a typical airplane tray table. You’ll also want travel games that can handle turbulence and that you can quickly and easily pick up, in case you need to get out of your seat for a neighbor.  

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The Ultimate Guide to The Best Travel Games

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The Joy of The best Travel Games

Picture this: you’re hours into a family road trip and the initial excitement of a new adventure is fading into the rearview mirror. This is where travel games become your secret weapon, turning what could be monotonous hours into moments of joy, laughter, and fun challenges that make the miles fly by. Whether you are traveling by train, plane, or car, games are perfect for fun and engagement.

The ideal travel game is portable, engaging, and fun! Buckle up for an array of travel game ideas that promise to add a sprinkle of excitement to your next venture.

Evaluating the Perfect Travel Game

Dive deep into your travel bag, and you’ll thank yourself for packing a game that’s agile and compact. Picture this, you’re crammed in a cozy train compartment or wedged into the window seat of a bustling flight; portability becomes your game’s golden ticket. Those deck of cards and magnetic puzzles aren’t just space-savers; they dodge the hassle of lost pieces that could transform fun into frustration quicker than a flight delay.

An epic blend of adventure and downtime, travel demands a special breed of entertainment – one where ease of play rules. You want games that set up faster than it takes for your fellow traveler to ask, ‘What’s the Wi-Fi password?’ The shuffle of cards should be the only delay between ‘Are we there yet?’ and ‘It’s your turn!’

Every game you pack should play nice with your travel context. The type of transportation you have will determine the games you need. Narrow aisles and bumpy roads? Opt for card games or engaging apps. If you’re corralling kids or wrangling a cross-generational group of people, consider lightweight board games with universal appeal. Think about the players too— age-appropriate games turn travel from mundane to educational, from solitary time-filler to laugh-packed bonding. As you zip from point A to point B, a well-chosen game changes hours into moments, crafting memories where the miles melt away.

• The License Plate Game –Pay attention to the world around you as you travel.

• Bingo, Cutiepie (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• Car Games — Dry erase games that include scavenger hunts, drawing boards, and more!

• [WHAT’S INCLUDED]: Includes 9 game cards + 1 drawing board (3 bingo cards, 1 food sign scavenger hunt, 1 vehicle brand scavenger hunt, 1 license plate scavenger hunt, 1 road sign scavenger hunt, 1 car color count game, 1 transportation scavenger hunt, 1 blank board to play your own game or draw) No dry erase marker included.
• [SIZE]: 5.4″ wide x 7″ tall

Top Card Games for On-the-Go Fun

• Uno – With its easy-to-learn rules and vibrant colors, Uno makes every journey a merry race to shout ‘Uno!’ Keep the pace snappy and watch as players of all ages get hooked. Uno is my personal favorite. It’s holds fun memories of my childhood and is great for players of all ages.

• UNO is the classic family card game that’s easy to learn and so much fun to play!
• In a race to deplete your hand, match one of your cards with the current card shown on top of the deck by either color or number.
• Sushi Go! – Pack a little gourmet fun in your travel bag with Sushi Go! It’s a swift-moving card drafting game that’s delightful to play– gripping your family in a strategic swirl of sushi selection.

• FAMILY PICK AND PASS CARD GAME: Sushi Go! Is a fun and easy to learn card game that will become a classic in your family, leaving you hungry for more!
• QUICK PLAY THAT IS EASY TO LEARN: Learn how to play in just 1 round and plays in 15 minutes!
• Exploding Kittens – Fuse laughter with a touch of suspense, as Exploding Kittens prompts giggles and gasps in equal measure. Compact and quirky, it’s an uproarious addition to any trip. Our kids laugh so much when we play this game!

• THE LEGENDARY ORIGINAL MADE FOR TWO TO FIVE PLAYERS: The card game that gave felines a license to kill. The reason cats around the world are being given the side-eye – it’s Exploding Kittens: Original Edition! This kitty-powered card game is all about turning game night into a blast. Try and dodge exploding kittens, betray your friends along the way, and strap on a portable cheetah butt while you’re at it. The last player left alive wins!
• HOURS OF HILARITY: There’ll be lots of chuckling. Rib-cracking outbursts. More laughs than a 90’s sitcom. In every 56-card deck you’ll find creative ways to dodge the exploding kittens. Like defuse cards featuring laser pointers, kitty therapy, and catnip sandwiches. And action cards with weaponized back hair, all-seeing goat wizards, and magical pig-a-corns that grant you precognition. Looking for thoroughly entertaining kid and adult games for game night? Quest complete! This game is an excellent addition to your fun family games collection.
• SKYJO –This card game is our recent family favorite. It is quick and easy to play anywhere you travel! Even our younger kids can play this game pretty well. Not to mention it’s really helped them with their math.

• YOUR GOAL: Try to get as few points as possible through flipping, trading and collecting cards over the course of several rounds. This is only possible as long as a player has not uncovered all his cards, because then ends a round. So beware, keep a close eye on the game and be cautious and wary of the other player’s actions!
• LOTS OF FUN for your friends and family. SKYJO is an entertaining card game that is lots of fun for kids and even older game enthusiasts (adults).
• Cribbage – For those craving a dash of tradition, Cribbage is the ticket. A mix of luck and strategy, this classic has a loyal following and travels briliantly in its folding board form.

• Classic & Puzzle Board Game Set – The Cribage board game set is a classic strategy game created in the 17th century. With its unique scoring system, it is fun and educational, promotes critical thinking skills and strategic thinking, and exercises the mind to develop learning skills and intelligence, and is very interesting for children and adults. (Note: not suitable for children under 3 years old)
• 3 Track Cribbage Board Game – With a more scientific upgrade, the 3-track cribbage board consists of 3 different colors, continuous 3 track board and scoring numbers annotated, metal pegs in 3 colors (chrome, brass and black), 9 in total, you can enjoy this strategy game with your friends and family, providing a special experience that brings endless fun
• Phase 10 – Indulge in this rummy-inspired voyage as players chart the course through successive challenges, transforming down time into a thrilling quest of pattern-making and series-building.

• Phase 10 is the Rummy-type card game with a twist!
• Be the first player to complete 10 varied phases with two sets of three, one run of seven, or seven cards with the same color.
• Codenames: Duet – Teaming up as covert operatives, players sharpen their wits with Codenames: Duet. It’s a game that bonds through whispered clues and shared triumphs, perfect for languid afternoons or enlivening flights.

• 400 all new words compatible with original codenames
• New cooperative gameplay

Each flick of a card promises not just fun, but the simplicity of setup and the sheer variety of games available make card games a go-to for travel entertainment. They tuck away into any pocket or pouch, emerging as the silent heroes ready to transform hours of monotony into interactive joy.

Board Games That Travel Light

• Bananagrams: A zesty word puzzle that rips along at an addictive pace. Its compact cloth pouch means you’re peeling and winning, even in the tightest of travel spaces.

• FUN FOR EVERYONE – Gather your family and friends and race against each other to build crossword grids. This anagram game that will drive you bananas.
• ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL – While this game is easy to play, Bananagrams is also educational. Teach your kids how to spell words and have fun at the same time.
• Travel Carcassonne: The timeless tile-laying game, miniaturized; forge a medieval landscape pocket-sized enough to fit in your carry-on yet rich in strategy.

• For 2 to 5 players
• Playtime of 30 to 45 minutes
• Zombie Dice: A wickedly simple push-your-luck game where you roll for brains; gnaw on this bite-sized fun that’s just as contagious as the undead it features.

• Reusable scorecards and marker give this Deluxe edition added value!
• Showy new dice really jazz up the playing field.
• Magnetic Chess: Checkmate on the go with a magnetic set that remains loyal to your every move, no matter the bumps or turns in your journey.

• 【HIGH QUALITY】QuadPro chess set Made of durable HIPS plastic with Fine texture, gives you smooth hand-feel while lightweight and portable; well-crafted chess pieces make it much more deluxe.
• 【LIGHT MAGNETISM】The chess board every individual pieces have a light magnetic attraction to the 64-square playing field; light magnetism would make it stable to play while not hard to move the piece.
• Hive Pocket: The bug-themed strategy game gets a travel overhaul; its tiny yet durable pieces ensure an intricate battle of minds isn’t compromised by your locale.

• Made by Gen42 games Honored for excellence by Mensa select
• Dr. Toy product of excellence award winner
• Qwirkle Travel: With its deeply satisfying chunky tiles, this abstract quest for patterns turns waiting time into game time without overcrowding your bag.

• TACTICAL STRATEGY: Qwirkle is the perfect game to hone player’s tactical maneuvers, strategical planning, and forward thinking. Will you see the monolithic move that catapults you into first place?
• EASY-TO-FOLLOW RULES: An engaging game with easy-to-follow rules, Qwirkle is great for younger players. The rules of the game are basic: simply build lines by matching tiles based on either color or shape, and score points for doing so.
• Sushi Go!: A delightful draft-and-pass card game served in a bento box of fun. It’s a feast of strategy that’s as portable as your favorite chopsticks.

• Sushi theme
• Card game for 2-5 players

Digital Delights: Best Apps for Gaming on the Move

• Heads Up! becomes your go-to for uproarious group fun; just hold your device to your forehead and guess the word from friends’ clues.

• QuizUp lets you challenge travelers globally on a multitude of topics, turning your phone into a trivia arena.

• answer the question
• amazing design
• Monument Valley dazzles with its mind-bending puzzles and enchanting visuals, perfect for immersing yourself in another world while en route to your destination.

• Inspired by minimalist 3D design, optical illusions and palaces and temples from around the world, every monument is a unique, hand-crafted world to explore.
• Plants vs. Zombies offers endless defense strategy amusement, keeping both kids and adults engaged during the longest of journeys.

• Would you like to join the Zombies vs Heroes Plant
• to start the exciting Heroes Plant adventure in Zombies? GO.
• Words With Friends brings the joy of word games to your pocket, allowing for casual play with fellow travel buddies or competitors worldwide.

• CONNECT with players with Community Match and Smart Match
• SHARPEN your skills anytime and anywhere with offline Solo Play
• Spaceteam encourages players to cooperate shouting sci-fi technobabble to each other as you try to keep your spaceship intact – chaos and hilarity for the entire travel crew.

• 3d realistic models of Space Shuttle, satellites, comets and asteroids
• A lot of upgrades(top speed, fuel, armor, maneuverability and coin, fuel and armor bonus)
• Catan Universe shrinks the beloved board game into a virtual form, so you can trade resources and build empires from the convenience of your seat.

• Optimized for smartphones and tablets
• Original “Settlers of Catan” rule set

Engaging Solo Travel Games

• Sudoku: Slide into a zen-like focus as you align numbers on a flight or train ride. Sudoku books are featherlight, but if you’re tech-inclined, free apps bring endless puzzles to your fingertips.

• Publishing XR, Nova (Author)
• Crossword puzzles: Sharpen your wits and expand your vocabulary while waiting at the terminal. Whether in a compact book or a mobile app, crosswords are perfect for the quick-witted soloist.

• Publishing, Mitasata (Author)
• Solitaire: A timeless classic, shuffle a deck of cards or tap away on a solitaire app. This game isn’t just a pastime; it’s a meditation, strategizing one card at a time.

• Premium Quality: Our playing cards are crafted from high-quality blue core material, ensuring durability and longevity, making them perfect for both casual and serious card players. Highly rated by customers for its quality and value, making it a popular choice among card game enthusiasts.
• Smooth Shuffle and Deal: The cards are printed on high-quality cardstock with a smooth finish, allowing for easy shuffling and dealing, providing a seamless gameplay experience.
• Mahjong: Transport into the tranquil world of Mahjong; its tiles, a puzzle to be solved. Small, travel-sized sets are available, but once again, digital options remove the need for physical pieces.

• Brain teasers: Keep a mini book of riddles or brain teasers to tickle your neurons. Analyze and solve them, a quick escape from the doldrums of travel.

• Insight Kids (Author)
• Language learning games: Merge play with education using language learning apps. They transform idle time into a productive lesson, a game that edges you closer to fluency, one word at a time.

Interactive Games for Group Bonding

• Charades: Jump into a game of Charades to get everyone miming and guessing, sparking laughter and creating shared moments.

• EASY TO PLAY: Explaining how to play charades only takes a few minutes making it a great game to play with friends and extended family. It’s fun to act out the charades and we like to think of it as “laugh-therapy” in a box.
• FAMILY FAVORITE: The charades suggestions will have kids, teenagers, college students and adults alike having a blast playing together. Party Charades is the perfect ice breaker for your next family game night or party!
• Two Truths and a Lie: Break the ice and learn more about each other through the hilarious revelations of Two Truths and a Lie.

• Deduce the Truth: Lie your way to a win with ReaLies! This funny, creative and easy-to-play party game is all about convincing others that your lie is the truth, while also attempting to guess the real answer!
• Ages 16+ (That’s The Truth): This card game is intended for players 16 and older. Perfect for parties, hangouts, reunions, office events, game nights, and more.
• Travel Trivia: Team up and test your knowledge of the world with Travel Trivia, an excellent way for groups to bond over shared knowledge and learning.

• TRIVIA GAME – How far will your knowledge take you? Explore the many wonders of the world with the World Tour Trivia Game from Ridley’s. Do you have what it takes to be crowned the ultimate quiz champion?
• FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY – Gather friends and family, young & old alike, and get the party started. Ideal for 2+ players, this game of questions is excellent for social gatherings, parties and family nights. It’s also an inspired conversation starter!
• Cooperative Storytelling: Forge memorable narratives together with a cooperative storytelling game, where each participant adds to the tale, weaving creativity and teamwork into one.

• Storytelling Adventure: In the land of Storia, a Traveler searches for a happy ending—imagined by you! Perfect for groups of mixed ages, you’ll be playing this game again and again! It’s also a great family game for fans of fantasy, creative or role-playing games.
• Games that Grow: Use creative thinking, communication, group strategy and problem solving as you complete the story together. Finish the story with a happy ending before the inkwell runs out of ink. No reading required!
• Werewolf: Encourage trust and strategic dialogue by playing Werewolf, where players debate and deduce to uncover the hidden roles among them.

• Werewolf is a party game of lies, deceit, & accusations. Are you devious enough?
• 20 Villager Cards, 10 Werewolf Cards, 8 Wild Cards, 2 Seer Cards, 2 Doctor Cards, 2 Moderator Cards, 2 Village Drunk Cards, 2 Witch Cards, 2 Alpha Werewolf Cards
• Taboo: Challenge your communication skills with Taboo, where explaining concepts without certain keywords becomes an entertaining test of creativity and patience.

• FAN-FAVORITE TABOO BOARD GAME: It’s the classic Taboo game of unspeakable fun with trendy topics for a modern twist
• AVOID TABOO WORDS: In the Taboo card game for adults, family and teens, race against time as you get teammates to say the Guess word without saying the Taboo words on the cards​
• Pictionary: Let your drawing do the talking in Pictionary, perfect for bonding as teammates race to interpret doodles.

• Celebrate 40 years of the original classic family drawing game Pictionary!
• Sketch and guess your way to the finish line with this board game for family night, perfect for kids and adults alike!
• The Voting Game: Discover each other’s perspectives with The Voting Game, where you predict how others would react in different scenarios, leading to interesting discussions and stronger connections.

• Find out who your friends are – Anonymously answer “who’s most likely too…” questions [200 included]
• Share stories – Memories are often shared after a revealing vote

Memorable Travel Game Moments

Imagine transforming your travel time into a trove of treasured memories with the best travel games. As you pack, slip in card games alongside your essentials. Remember, an enjoyable gaming environment is a shared one; so share out the cards under the dome light of your car, or huddle over a board game at a cozy airport corner. Tips like keeping a balanced mix of travel size games and electronic diversions ensure everyone stays engaged, whether you’re queuing at a terminal or cruising down the open road.

And when that moment of triumph comes as you outwit your family at a strategy game, or that burst of laughter echoes in a train carriage over a classic brain game for travel, these are the moments that stick, the stories you’ll recount. Why not turn waiting time into gaming time? Drop a comment with your go-to travel games.

Need more ideas for games? Read: 35 of the Best Games for 4 Year Olds

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The best 15+ travel games for your phone that work offline

January 3, 2023 by Karen Turner 6 Comments

As someone with limited data, I’m always astounded how few apps work well offline and without data. I’m often toying with a new phone app that I can play while on the road.  After far too many apps that I’ve burned through during a long bus ride, I’ve asked my fellow bloggers for their favorite travel game apps for iPhone and Android that work perfectly offline, so even if you’re on a long plane ride, you can still enjoy playing on your phone!  I’ve tried to focus this list on thought-provoking games for your phone that challenge your mind, rather than games that just keep you busy (as they’re addictive).

• Monument Valley

Don’t Starve

Plague inc..

• Leo’s Fortune
• Alto’s Adventure

Reigns: Her Majesty

Old man’s journey, the escapists.

• Life is Strange

Lumosity: Train of Thought

Hit the light.

It’s good to note that not all of these apps are free and I strongly recommend buying a power bank if you’ll be playing a lot of travel games during your trip on your phone.  Games can really kill your battery, especially when the screen is bright.

• 1.1 Monument Valley (and its sequels)
• 1.2 Device6
• 1.3 Don’t Starve
• 1.4 80 days
• 1.5 Plague Inc.
• 1.6 Crossword
• 1.7 Heads Up
• 1.8 Leo’s Fortune
• 1.9 Alto’s Adventure
• 1.10 Blackbar
• 1.11 Broken Age
• 1.12 Solitaired
• 1.13 Reigns: Her Majesty
• 1.14 Old Man’s Journey
• 1.15 The Escapists
• 1.16 Life Is Strange
• 1.17 Framed
• 1.18 Lumosity: Train of Thought
• 1.19 Hearts
• 1.20 Wordescapes
• 1.21 Solitaire Bliss
• 1.22 Hit the Light
• 1.23 Minesweeper
• 1.24 What’s your favorite travel game on your phone?

The best game apps for travel for iPhone and Android

Monument valley (and its sequels).

From the moment I discovered this game in House of Cards, I was addicted to this elegant game. Its beautiful Escher-like concept together with its clever puzzles make it a joy to play.  I’ve bought the sequels as well. It has the feel of a puzzle game without the strain of doing a puzzle.     (My husband is begging me for a turn!)

Buy for iPhone / Android

Device6 is a clever and unique game only for iPhones. For game lovers who are looking for different and mind-bending, try out this game. It integrates literature with fantasy and puzzles. We don’t want to ruin the surprise!

Buy for iPhone

If you are looking for something to keep you occupied during an 8-hour flight, look no further than “Don’t Starve”. In its essence, Don’t Starve is a wilderness survival game. Your character is dropped in an unfamiliar wasteland and your task is, quite simply, not to die.

Unlike most other games today, Don’t Starve doesn’t come with a tutorial which means it’s 100% up to you to figure out how to play this game. It is challenging and engaging. You need to be strategic and creative.

You’ll need to figure out how to feed yourself, how to defend yourself against enemies, and how to find shelter. If you die, you will have to start over from scratch and the world you find may be entirely different from the previous.

Challenge yourself and see how long you can survive. With my best efforts, I haven’t made it past 8 days yet! It may be a paid game, but it is worth every cent and works perfectly without an internet connection! Just be warned, it’s almost impossible to put down 😉  – Jacky

I love this choose-your-own adventure game where you try to help your character get around the world.  Along the way, your character will get into all sorts of trouble (of course). 

Maybe it’s my love of travel, but I have an intense love for the Victorian steampunk world full of delight, splendor, and laughs.  It’s fun to play this with a friend sitting next to you–and you’ll not want to put this game down.

Ever dream of destroying the human race?  Want to destroy the human race without being labeled a mass murderer?  Try Plague Inc.  Plague Inc. is a strategy game where you become a small microbe and get to infect people around the world.  The goal is to spread quickly and kill of the humans before they notice and decide to start creating a cure.

This game is a major time killer.  The standard game has four different microbes you can become at 4 difficulty levels. Each microbe has different characteristics.  The different levels can make the game easy or hard.  Each game is different and that’s not just due to the microbe or difficulty level. 

You have to evolve your microbe.  How you chose to affect the humans can vary.  Do you go for the quick kill or a long drawn-out illness?  Should you start your illness in a populated country or one of the more remote islands of the world?   I love that each game takes less than 30 minutes and I am always experimenting new ways to destroy the world.  – Jennifer

This free app with a reasonable subscription to the New York Times Crossword is so worth it if you’re into crosswords. The Saturday and Sunday crosswords are my favorite although they’re generally the hardest. It’s especially fun to do it with a loved one as you can debate on who has the correct answer to the clue!

Before a plane ride, just remember to hit download on all the crosswords that you want to be downloaded for the flight–and you should be entertained for hours.  (This is even easier to use on a tablet.)

Heads Up was the perfect game to play as a group or pair when time was moving slower than a sloth getting out of bed on a Sunday. The premise is simple: one person holds their phone to their forehead while the rest of the group try to describe or act out the word on the screen. When they guess correctly, the player tilts the phone to get a new word described. While there doesn’t always need to be a “winner”, of course the person with the most correct guesses does the best!

There’s plenty to enjoy about the game; it doesn’t require much prior knowledge, involves everyone in a group, you can play as little or as long as you like, and often any language differences can add an element of hilarity to the game.

As a game that doesn’t invite too much serious competitiveness or over-challenging tasks, it’s a great way to have a laugh with new and old friends. I have extremely fond memories of this game from my travels, I associate it with meeting new people from all sorts of cultures, making great memories, and learning a thing or two about my acting and describing skills! – Suzy

Leo’s Fortune

Guide a green fluffball with a mustache through progressively more difficult levels of cliffs, forests, gears, levers, deserts, and more. Leo tells you his sad story as you try and help him recover his gold. His expressive eyes and fluffiness are so well-animated, it makes flinging him up on a branch that much more rewarding.

The developers spent some money on the voiceover for this game, and it shows, I genuinely missed Leo when I finished it! You will want headphones for this one to get the full experience. Lovers of platformers will particularly enjoy this game. – Erin

Alto’s Adventure

I’ve played this one off and on for years, as it’s a classic side-scrolling jumping game and perfect for killing time in short bursts. Alto is a snowboarder, and you’re attempting to get as far as you can while avoiding rocks, reindeer, posts and other obstacles.

There’s the added fun of trying to incorporate flips and tricks, and board sliding bunting. You eventually unlock other skiers with different skills too. It’s beautifully animated, with a minimalistic aesthetic, as you’re seeing pretty much everything in silhouette. I find it fun for short periods, but I don’t have a particularly obsessive gaming personality. Some people play this for hours! -Erin

This short, but fun game is great for puzzle lovers who are looking for something different.  The game is about censorship in its various forms–and it requires that you use your sleuthing skills to figure out the story behind the actions.

Buy on Google Play Store / iTunes Store

I got sucked into this point-and-click puzzle game so quickly.  Despite the childish drawings that made me initially doubt if this was for adults, this story-based game with two different characters has an engaging plot line and interesting puzzles.

I found the story very beautiful and funny.  I didn’t want to stop playing this one, so consider buying this prior to a long international flight if you’re into puzzle games.

Buy for iPhone & Android

Solitaired stands out as an exceptional online platform for card game enthusiasts, offering a wide variety of solitaire games and related card games, all accessible directly from your web browser or through their Google Play app. The website features an intuitive user interface, making it easy for players to navigate through different games and find their preferred version of solitaire making it perfect for travel. Whether you’re on a long flight, train ride, or just waiting around, the app provides a fantastic way to pass the time and enjoy classic card and board game action.

Download for Android or visit their mobile-friendly desktop site

A Tinder-like decision-making game, Reigns: Her Majesty puts in the place of the Queen in the center of an imaginary royal court, with many decisions to make.

Some are hilarious, like how to put up with your annoying husband, and others are about how to rule your kingdom. You have to walk the line between antagonizing your subjects too much and inspiring too much love –– either extreme will get you killed!

The writing here is witty, funny, and barbed, poking fun at the ways women are caught between impossible choices. It won a BAFTA award for best game, and I’m not surprised. This one can be played in short bursts or you can sink into an hour-long binge, it’s that good. – Erin

Old Man’s Journey is a thoughtful puzzle game where an old man looks back on his life and his memories. It’s subtle, beautifully drawn, and with dynamics that I haven’t seen in many games before this.  I found the whole experience very calming, even when I was frustrated with not getting to the next level.

Break your pixellated character out of prison! This game has won several awards, and for good reason. Incorporating an old-school gaming aesthetic with a bit of crafting and the occasional round of whacking people over the head with makeshift weapons, this game is more complicated than it first appears.

There are several ways to break out of any given prison level –– from causing full-scale riots to digging tunnels to making disguises. It’s compelling enough to entertain you during a long boring train ride, but quick enough to make a short wait entertaining. -Erin

Get for iPhone or Android

Life Is Strange

Life is Strange is a choose-your-own adventure game that is closer to a movie that you get to direct yourself.  It’s emotionally gripping, cinematic, and with a poignant story.  It’s fairly long, so you’ll get a lot of use out of it for a low cost (think how much you’d pay for a movie).  My husband and I spent  days playing this game together.

Get for iPhone only at the moment.

Framed is an amazing concept of an app where you create and rearrange comic panels in an attempt to help your spy succeed.  The gameplay is a bit fast, but it’s a blast to play and you’ll lose track of time while playing Framed. 

The animation of Framed is hand drawn and the music just adds another piece.  I’d consider it the perfect travel game for a long wait at the airport–although you shouldn’t get too invested in it. 😉

Get for iPhone / Android

Lumosity is an app featuring a variety of games that reportedly train your brain to become more agile in different ways. The free version of the app serves up three games from a collection each day for your brain workout. You can play each game as often as you want during the day. I love most of the games I have played so far, but my favorite by far is Train of Thought.

Train of Thought i s Lumosity’s most popular brain game. It has reportedly been played over half-a-billion times since it was launched in 2013. I am not surprised at all…Train of Thought is both addictive and aggravating like the best games always are!

So, how does it work? The game features a screen with a bunch of train stations in different colors, with tracks connecting each station to a starting point. When you are ready, trains are released onto the track from the start point one by one, and the goal is to throw switches correctly and in time for each train to head into its home station. 

It sounds simple…but it gets progressively more difficult with each level. On a recent ten-hour flight to Europe, I spent every waking minute playing it (and I barely slept!), but I still could not crack my current level of 11.  – Dhara

Get for iPhone & Android

The objective of Hearts is to accumulate as few penalty points as possible throughout the game, with players striving to avoid taking tricks that contain any Hearts or the Queen of Spades. In this trick-taking game, strategic planning and careful consideration of each move are essential, as players attempt to navigate through the intricacies of each round to maintain a low score. For those on the move, the online version available at hearts.land offers a convenient and engaging way to enjoy this classic card game, making it a great travel companion for entertainment during journeys.

Visit their mobile-friendly desktop site

Wordescapes

Who doesn’t enjoy a word game?! I love Wordescapes because it keeps my mind working especially when I’m on a long flight or connection and the internet is not available. Or simply when I’m working and need a break.

The app works this way, you have box tables like the ones in Scrabble, and you will get a set of letters where you need to create words that fit on the number of boxes. If you create a word that is not needed in the table box, it will go as a bonus word.

Every level have 16 set of games, once you finish every level you get free coins. Coins can be used as a “hint” when you are stuck. This app is completely free and the words will be in English. – Mary  

Solitaire Bliss

Solitaire Bliss is a gaming platform offering a wide array of solitaire and related card games, catering to a diverse range of preferences with an easy to use interface and high-quality graphics. The site features a vast selection of game variations, customization options, tutorials, score tracking, and is optimized for mobile devices, making it a fantastic travel companion.

These features collectively ensure an engaging and convenient gaming experience, accessible anywhere, making Solitaire Bliss a top choice for solitaire enthusiasts on the go.

Download for Android & Iphone

This game is the millennial take on Breakout (Bueller?). This fun game with a sleek design is fun to better played offline as the ads are far less of a nuisance. That said, if you love to cheat, you can watch the ads for additional ways to break the lights. I’ve found it delightfully addictive and fun to play late at night due to the dark colors.

I need to add the honorable mention of Board Game Arena , which works only online. This free platform with premium options features 100+ favorite board games digitized. You need to be online and at the time of editing, the app is still in Beta mode (and is best on a tablet/laptop). Still, I absolutely loved playing King of Tokyo and Ticket to Ride against strangers on my last train ride.

Minesweeper

Minesweeper is a timeless puzzle game where players navigate a grid filled with hidden mines, using numerical clues to safely reveal empty spaces and flag the mines. The game requires logical thinking and a sharp eye, as one wrong click could trigger a mine and end the game. At Play Minesweeper , you can enjoy this classic game through a user-friendly interface, with varying levels of difficulty to suit different skill levels. Its quick and engaging gameplay makes Minesweeper an excellent choice for traveling, providing entertainment during long journeys or waits without needing a continuous internet connection.

What’s your favorite travel game on your phone?

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

July 11, 2018 at 11:06 am

I recently found a new game that is totally addictive! It’s called MixedUp Max and is a magic squares type of game – you can select different pictures and different shuffle levels and then slide rows and columns to re-arrange back to the original picture! There’s a free version but I’m not a fan of ads so went for the paid for version, and best of all, it can be played without internet access so I’ve been using it on my plane and train trips!

September 22, 2018 at 10:59 am

Really like Pictoword. I play this everytime I travel. There are ads that give out coins but if you’re offline it disables the ads. No free coins, but no ads either: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pictoword-fun-new-word-games/id600674056?mt=8

June 14, 2023 at 12:18 am

Trivia 360 can be played without wifi

July 3, 2023 at 2:01 am

Hi! I just want you to know that I like your review. Even though most of then aee not free and some are unavailable in my play store (idk why), I just love it that you suggest more unconventional games Thank you !

August 7, 2024 at 7:14 am

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August 7, 2024 at 8:25 am

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25 Travel Games That Make Time Fly for Kids and Families

So fun, they’ll forget to ask “Are we there yet?”

Getting ready to pack your suitcases and hit the road? Don’t forget the travel games! Whether you’re taking a road trip and need a little quiet in the backseat, or want to have some entertainment on hand in case of rainy days at the beach, these travel games for kids and families are worth including in your luggage. Bon voyage!

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Shotgun!

The two hundred cards in this road trip game are full of fun discussion prompts, challenges, and activities. Reviewers note that teens, as well as younger kids, are sure to enjoy this one.

2. Scavenger Hunt for Kids Travel Card Game

Scavenger hunts are some of our favorite travel games for kids! The goal here is to be the first to find the objects listed on 10 cards. This game has endless replayability, no matter where you go.

3. Auto Bingo

Here’s a cool twist on the scavenger hunt—bingo! Each reusable card has lots of items to look for. The first one to get five in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonally) wins!

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4. Train of Thought

This discussion game is really more about interacting as a family rather than a competition, although the goal is to collect and answer three cards in each category. There are hilarious activity cards mixed in to keep you on your toes.

5. Guess in 10

The Guess in 10 series is a little like 20 Questions. Each card contains something for the other team to guess (like cities around the world), but they only get to ask 10 questions. Clue cards offer a bit of help as teams try to be the first to guess 7 cards correctly. Other options in the series include dinosaurs, sports, and animals.

6. Battleship Grab & Go

This classic is one of the best travel games for kids! The game boards are compact and hold everything you need to be able to say, “You sunk my battleship!”

7. Flip to Win Memory Game

Memory (also called Concentration) usually involves a pack of cards laid out in rows. This travel version is ideal for car trips since it uses flip tabs instead of individual cards. It comes with seven double-sided game cards for lots of backseat fun!

8. Bananagrams

Think of this like Scrabble on the go. No need for a game board; just take turns spelling words with the letter tiles. This one is perfect for rainy afternoons in a hotel or playing on a plane.

9. Simon Micro

We’ll admit the beeps of this little gadget might get on your nerves after a while, but kids really do love it. Watch the flashing sequence of lights and repeat it. You can play on your own or use Pass It mode to compete.

Here’s another classic that’s also perfect as a travel game! Shake up the board, then see how many words you can make from connecting letters.

11. Rush Hour Jr.

Logic games are fantastic travel games for kids, especially when you need them to play quietly on their own for a bit. Set up the car pieces according to the puzzle card. Then figure out how to slide them out of the way so each car can leave the lot through the exit. Adults will be challenged by this one too.

12. Melissa & Doug License Plate Game

Sure, you can play the license plate game without a board or special equipment, but this does make it a lot more fun! Flip the tiles as you spot a representative from each state, and see if you can get them all before your journey ends.

13. Anywhere Travel Guide

Planning a staycation this year, or need a way to make another visit to Grandma’s small town interesting? Try these cards, which present a series of challenges that turn any kind of trip into an adventure.

14. Mastermind

Mastermind is a classic that’s all about using logic to crack your partner’s code. The concept is simple, but endless combinations mean this game is different every single time.

15. Clue Card Game

Classic board games in card form make awesome travel games for kids. Solve the mystery without the board in this version of the whodunnit favorite, Clue.

16. IQ XOXO

This is another logic puzzle game, sized small so you can take it anywhere. Solve the puzzle by determining how to fit all the pieces onto the game board. The included booklet has 120 puzzles of increasing difficulty.

17. Cat’s Cradle

All you really need for Cat’s Cradle is a piece of string, but these days, most kids don’t actually know how to play anymore! This book teaches you how to make lots of fun figures with just some string and your fingers.

18. Monopoly Deal Card Game

Another classic board game turned card game; Monopoly Deal is best when you have some space to lay out the cards. That’s why we love it for play in a hotel room or lake cabin when everyone needs a break from more active fun.

19. Apple Twist

One more logic game, this time with twisty caterpillars and an apple playing board. The board itself turns in sections to create a wide array of puzzle challenges.

20. Disney Eye Found It

I spy with my little eye… a fun travel game! Kids comb each picture card to find specified items. If you’re headed to Disney, this one is especially fun for building excitement.

21. Travel Ping Pong Set

You can’t play this one in the car or on a plane, but it’s fun to set up on a table in your Airbnb rental. You get everything you need for an epic ping pong tournament.

22. Collapsible Cornhole

Packable cornhole? Count us in! Play this one at the beach, in the park, or anywhere you can find some empty space.

23. 12 Retro Magnetic Games

This collection of magnetic travel games for kids will ensure there’s always something new to keep them occupied. Each board folds up to hold the necessary game pieces inside.

24. The 100 Best Brainteasers for Kids

Brainteasers can occupy one child on their own or get the whole family working together to work out the answers. This book has plenty of puzzles for elementary-aged kids to tackle.

25. On-The-Go Mini Game Pad

Sometimes all you need is something simple to provide a few minutes of fun. This little pad gives you sheets for tic-tac-toe, connect five, and the alphabet game of categories. Add some pencils, and you’re ready to go!

Vacations are the perfect time for scavenger hunts! Get 25 Free Scavenger Hunts for Kids here.

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I Always Bring One of These Travel Puzzles & Games to Entertain My Toddler on the Road & in the Air, Starting at $5

Some are up to 63% off right now.

Parents / Madison Woiten

My 3-year-old daughter is already an experienced traveler , and she's generally a good sport about it as long as she has a couple of games to keep her occupied. A happy toddler makes for smoother travels, so keeping her entertained en route is my top concern—and almost nothing grabs her attention like a travel puzzle or game. 

By now, we’ve got puzzle games of all different varieties, and her collection is impressive. I prefer a magnetic puzzle or one in a pouch because they’re much more convenient for cramped airplane seats. Puzzle books she can color in at the airport or while stuck in her car seat for a few hours are also useful. Below, I’ve listed all the travel puzzles and games I never leave home without—and they start at just $5. 

Mudpuppy I Can Be...A Veterinarian! Magnetic Play Set

Paper dolls are a classic kids' game, and I love this modern magnetic take on it. This Mudpuppy magnetic play set comes with two illustrated scenes and three sheets of magnets, all housed inside a metal tin that makes it convenient to bring along on your travels. Kids can dress their veterinarian pals in different outfits, adding their favorite animals like a turtle, cat, goldfish, and more. 

These Mudpuppy play sets come in other fun themes to fuel your kids’ imagination, including scientist , chef , and happy camper . 

Highlights Puzzle Books, Set of 4

Highlights material has entertained my kids for decades. I read the magazine as a kid, and now my daughter has a subscription. These Highlights puzzle books are particularly absorbing for big kids. The pages contain search and find and matching games, mazes, brain teaser questions, and fill-in-the-blank ad-libs that will produce plenty of laughter from the backseat if you take these on a road trip. 

Melissa & Doug Take-Along Magnetic Jigsaw Puzzle

Magnetic puzzles like this one are a great option for bumpy car rides or flights because all the pieces stay in one place on the board. Both pages of the Melissa & Doug Take-Along Magnetic Jigsaw Puzzle are magnetic, so they don’t have to worry about losing any of the pieces while putting the puzzle together. The board even features a handle, allowing little ones to carry it on their adventures. 

Mudpuppy Puzzle To Go 

If you’re taking a road trip or staying in a hotel where you know you’ll have more space, take this 36-piece Mudpuppy jigsaw puzzle with you. The puzzle is 12 x 9 inches and fits comfortably on an airplane tray. It’s an excellent activity to keep in your back pocket if you get a dreaded rainy day on vacation. 

Mudpuppy Pouch Puzzle

For a smaller, travel-friendly puzzle option, go with this one, which comes in a zippered pouch and holds all 12 pieces. This Mudpuppy kids’ puzzle is great for airplane or train travel, where you’ll sit for long periods. Plus, it provides entertainment once you get to your destination, too.

Cupkin Animal Sticker Book 

This sticker book has 500 animal stickers and blank landscape pages where kids can put the animals to create their own wildlife scenes. The spiral design is especially appealing because it’s easy for little hands to open it and peel off the stickers. On the other hand, books with bound spines are stiff and harder for toddlers to keep open on their own. 

As a bonus, this animal sticker book includes 12 coloring pages to give kids something else to do when they finish the stickers. 

Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Activity Pad

We have at least four of these Melissa & Doug water activity pads; one is guaranteed to be in my bag whenever we travel. The pads come in all sorts of themes, like fairy tales and vehicles , and each contains four pages. 

My toddler loves watching the bright colors appear on the page, and I love that it offers a mess-free way to paint anywhere—at a restaurant, Airbnb, or in the back of the car. Kids can paint the pages repeatedly once the water dries and the colors disappear, making this one of the best travel toys. 

Anpole Pop Puzzle Game

This puzzle game is a combination of a puzzle and a fidget toy . The bubbles light up in different patterns, which the player must recreate. The game is simple for kids to understand, compact enough to pack in almost any travel bag, and the squishy bubbles feel satisfying to pop. Blinking lights always seem to capture the attention of little kids, and I like that this puzzle game incorporates that feature without a screen. 

It’s currently 63% off at Amazon, making it less than $10.

Mudpuppy Magnetic Board Game

Big kids might be showing interest in board games, and this one is a good option for travel because the board folds up into a neat square. Plus, all the small pieces magnetize directly to the board. The vibrant ocean motif accommodates up to 6 players, making it a practical option to take on a family vacation that you can reuse at home on game night. 

Haba Magnetic Maze Puzzle 

My toddler loves the Haba Magnetic Maze Puzzle, which challenges kids to drop beads into different buckets using an attached magnetic wand. All the small pieces are behind a plastic barrier, so it’s convenient for car seats or airplane travel (and doesn’t pose a choking hazard). The square shape seamlessly slips into my tote bag or my toddler's travel backpack for on-the-go entertainment. 

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The Best Kid-Approved Travel Games (That Are Also Fun for Adults)

When you’re getting ready for a trip , you typically have bags to pack , automatic pet feeders to fill, those annoying light-timer things to set, and all the other whatnot that comes with going away. But there’s one more important thing to consider: What do you bring to keep the kids entertained ? As a dad who travels with the fam a fair amount, I have tried dozens of products over the years, all of which have promised in some way or another to alleviate boredom and maybe even bring us closer together. Out of everything we’ve tested, here are the best. We genuinely own, play, and enjoy all of the games on this list. Most are appropriate for kids as young as 5 or 6 (and a few even younger ), but just as important, all of them are legitimate fun for adults — because we’re people too, and we deserve to enjoy life. Plus, they’re all travel friendly: With one exception, you could fit them all into a pocket.

We have played dozens of rounds of this fast-paced picture-matching card game with the kids, currently ages 3 and 7 . Even our youngest can hold her own. In fact, a few years back, when my son and I started camping , we always brought this game along — and he often won. It requires no reading or math, just spotting a shape and being the first to play a card with the same shape. Up to eight people can play, and it comes in a waterproof version, which is always useful with kids.

Although they aren’t wildly challenging for adults, these inexpensive little 36-piece puzzles aren’t baby toys . They take a decent chunk of time for the kids to work out, and they’re just difficult enough that, as a parent, you won’t have to pretend to be trying. If you’re short on space — which we always seem to be, even when we’re heading out just for the afternoon — you can put the pieces in a plastic baggie and leave the bigger box at home.

This game is intended for kids 13 and up, but we’ve had a lot of success (and fun) playing with our younger children. All it requires is understanding what the three icons — panda, bamboo, and water — mean and then knowing whom you want to screw over. Every player starts with the same number of dice. On your turn, you roll the dice. Any that come up water are removed from the game, any that are bamboo are used to challenge the player next to you, and any that are pandas are gleefully passed on to another player. The first person to get rid of all of their dice wins. Since all you need to play is the dice, this is another one that can easily be downsized to a plastic bag for packing.

Note: While this game is currently out of stock, Amazon expects it to be in soon. You can order now for delivery as soon as it’s available.

Settlers of Catan, though amazing to play, isn’t exactly something you can easily pack in your bag . This little, dice-based version, however, is. Plus, it’s easier to learn; it’s fast-paced, making it great for children; and it will more than scratch the itch for adult fans. As you use the resources rolled on the dice to build cities on your game card, the amount of reasoning involved makes it tough for kids under 10, but if you have older kids (or the kids are finally asleep), this game will entertain you for hours. It can even be played solo if you’re a unicorn parent who has somehow discovered a way to have some alone time.

Jumpin’ is a logic-and-reasoning game that, depending on which challenge you choose, can be easy enough for a 6-year-old or hard enough to frustrate this dad in his late 30s. Every challenge involves moving rabbits and foxes over and around one another on the board. Some are simple enough that I can solve them in my head and offer some (subtle) help as my son tries to solve them — though often he doesn’t need a bit of assistance. Others are so hard we both need multiple attempts before we can finally solve them. But they’re all fun.

Full disclosure: My wife and I play this game at night with a glass of wine or plate of snacks ten times more often than we play it with the kids. Why? Because it’s genuinely fun (and they tend to slow us down). You start each game with four lines showing numerals two through 12, each corresponding to one of the colored dice. With each roll, you mark off one or more numbers on your list. But if you pick the wrong one (and roll a better number the next time) — or your opponent is able to complete and close off a line before you do — you miss out on a lot of points. It’s a mix of probability, luck, and being able to read your opponents. With the kids, it’s a great learning opportunity; without them, things get heated.

We didn’t say this is a list of the best unknown travel games, just the best ones. Bananagrams is our constant companion for one big reason: It’s a lot of fun to play with kids, but it’s also a lot of fun to play without them. We have found this Scrabble -style tile game — in which each person must form words as quickly as possible with the tiles they are dealt — a useful learning tool for vocabulary and spelling.

I already had many fond memories of playing this classic card game with my own family on trips in the ’90s, matching colors and numbers and gleefully playing Draw-4 cards on my brother. Now that I’m a dad myself, I have so many more great memories playing with my kids and wife. When our kids were first learning, we played with our cards face up on the table so everyone could follow along and get help when they needed it. Soon enough, though, their cards were back in their hands, and it was every player for themselves.

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• Over-the-Counter Medication
• Digestion & Nausea
• Motion Sickness & Nausea

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MQ 20ct Motion Sickness Patches Light Color - Cruise Ship Travel Essentials - Sea Sickness Patches Non Drowsy & Waterproof, Fast Acting & Long Lasting 72H

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• Safe & Effective - Highly useful for motion sickness, wearing it allows you to enjoy your travels and activities with ease
• Pure Herbal & Clean - 100% natural plant-based ingredients, free from side effects like allergies or drowsiness, suitable for various scenarios—whether on ships, cruises, planes, cars, 3D games, amusement rides, or hiking
• Customizable Patch Colors - Seamlessly blends with your skin tone, making it discreet, with portable packaging for easy carrying
• Long-lasting & Waterproof - Lasts for 1-3 days after application, made with waterproof gel, providing strong adhesion, remaining effective even during bathing and swimming
• Super Easy to Use - Simply apply behind both ears or on the navel 30 minutes before your journey begins. Suitable for adults and children aged 4 and above.

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• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.79 x 0.79 x 0.08 inches; 0.04 ounces
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ August 17, 2024
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ MQ
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D78JLXC4
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Honkai: Star Rail – Luocha build and ascension guide

• Author: Marco Wutz

Heal your allies by going on the attack with the best Honkai: Star Rail Luocha build and obtain a support character that deals a good amount of damage on the side. Luocha follows the Path of The Abundance and deals Imaginary Damage, taking a hybrid role of damage dealer and healer.

Luocha’s Skill, Prayer of Abyss Flower, immediately restores the target’s HP depending on his Attack attribute and creates one stack of Abyss Flower. In addition, a similar effect automatically occurs whenever an ally’s HP drops below 50%. This does not consume a Skill Point and can be triggered every two turns.

His Ultimate, Death Wish, removes one buff from all enemies and deals Imaginary Damage based on Luocha’s Attack. He also gains one stack of Abyss Flower.

Luocha is a mysterious man and might be plotting something nasty.

Abyss Flower is used to trigger Luocha’s Talent, Cycle of Life. Whenever Luocha has two stacks of Abyss Flower, he consumes them to envelop all enemies inside a Field. When enemies in the Field are attacked by Luocha’s allies, they regenerate HP based on his Attack stat. This effect is active for two turns and disappears if Luocha is knocked out.

All of Luocha’s Eidolon Levels, which can be obtained by pulling additional copies of him, are pretty cracked. Eidolons 1 and 4 buff the Field effect, adding a 20% Attack boost for all allies as well as applying Weakened on all enemies and reducing their damage by 12%. Eidolon 2 buffs Luocha’s Skill, increasing his Outgoing Healing if the target’s HP are below 30% and allowing him to create a Shield on top of the healing if the target’s HP is over 50%. Eidolon 6 enables his Ultimate to lower the Resistance of enemies against all damage types by 20% for two turns.

Luocha is a very powerful support character and might be worth investing in for many players – especially those lacking a second healer or any Imaginary Damage.

Luocha using Prayer of Abyss Flower, his healing ability.

Honkai: Star Rail – Luocha: best Light Cones

Luocha has a signature Light Cone in Honkai: Star Rail, which goes by Echoes of the Coffin. It provides the wearer with an Attack boost and regenerates Energy for every opponent hit by an attack from the wearer. Upon the wearer activating their Ultimate, the Light Cone will create an aura boosting the Speed of all allies for a turn.

Since Attack is the defining stat for Luocha’s offensive as well as healing capabilities, there is no reason not to go all in on this attribute. However, that also means that there are currently no other Light Cones aside from his signature item that really play into his strengths.

Best Light Cones for Luocha :

• Echoes of the Coffin (5-Star)
• Time Waits for No One (5-Star)
• Quid Pro Quo (4-Star)
• Post-Op Conversation (4-Star)
• Shared Feeling (4-Star)
• Warmth Shortens Cold Nights (4-Star)

Honkai: Star Rail – Luocha: best Relics

You have the option of specializing Luocha as a healer by focusing on buffing his Outgoing Healing or going a more generalist route by fully concentrating on Attack. Naturally, that will still assist his support capabilities, making him a relatively simple character to build.

Best Relic Sets for Luocha :

• Passerby of Wandering Cloud (2) + Messenger Traversing Hackerspace (2) – +10% Outgoing Healing, +6% Speed.
• Musketeer of Wild Wheat (4) – +12% Attack, +10% Basic Attack Damage, and +6% Speed.

Best Planar Ornaments for Luocha :

• Fleet of the Ageless (2) – +12% Maximum HP, +8% Attack for all allies when wearer’s Speed surpasses 120.

Prioritize the following Relic and Planar Ornament stats for Luocha:

• Head – HP (Primary), Attack %, Speed, Effect Resistance %, Attack
• Hands – Attack (Primary), Attack %, Speed, Effect Resistance %, HP %
• Body – Outgoing Healing % or Attack % (Primary), Attack % or Attack, Speed, Effect Resistance %, HP %
• Feet – Speed (Primary), Attack %, Effect Resistance %, Attack, HP %
• Planar Sphere – Attack % (Primary), Break Effect %, Effect Hit Rate %, Speed, Critical Hit Damage or Critical Hit Rate
• Link Rope – Energy Regeneration % or Attack % (Primary), Attack % or Attack, Speed, Effect Resistance %, HP%

Honkai: Star Rail – Luocha: best teams

You can fit Luocha into pretty much every team instead of Natasha or Bailu with the added advantage of him dealing some Imaginary Damage as well, which comes in really handy for anyone without Welt . He’s an especially great asset for Simulated Universe World 5, where Imaginary Damage is strong against several Elites as well as the Boss.

Luocha using his Ultimate, Death Wish.

Honkai: Star Rail – Luocha: ascension materials

Here’s everything you need to know to get Luocha ascended to the maximum level and upgrade all of his talents.

Luocha requires the following ascension materials to get to level 80 in addition to the necessary XP:

• Credits x308,000
• Artifex’s Module x15
• Artifex’s Cogwheel x15
• Artifex’s Gyreheart x15
• Golden Crown of the Past Shadow x65

You can collect Artifex’s Modules, Cogwheels, and Gyrehearts from Entranced Ingenia and other enemies on the Luofo as well as the Simulated Universe. You can create or exchange them through the Omni-Synthesizer on the Astral Express, too. Artifex’s Modules are one of the base materials you can easily farm through the Daily Assignments to your characters, making for a steady income of the material. Golden Crowns of the Past Shadow are dropped by the Stagnant Shadow in Backwater Pass or gained through the exchange of similarly rare materials. The best source of Credits is the Golden Calyx in the Great Mine.

Luocha requires the following materials to upgrade all of his combat abilities and Traces:

• Credits x3,000,000
• Artifex’s Module x41
• Artifex’s Cogwheel x56
• Artifex’s Gyreheart x58
• Seed of Abundance x18
• Sprout of Life x69
• Flower of Eternity x139
• Guardian’s Lament x12
• Tracks of Destiny x8

For the materials already mentioned, check above. Seeds of Abundance, Sprouts of Life, and Flowers of Eternity can be farmed in the Crimson Calyx in Backwater Pass. As usual, you can create the high-level materials by using lower-level materials in the Omni-Synthesizer on the Astral Express.

Guardian’s Lament is a boss material only gained from the Echo of War (Everwinter Hill) domain, while Tracks of Destiny can be obtained during time-limited events, the Embers Exchange, the Nameless Honor, or as a Simulated Universe Points Reward.

Honkai: Star Rail character tier list

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MLB's travel plans for '24: Seoul, Mexico City, London, D.R.

David Adler

The MLB World Tour is coming to four international destinations in 2024: London, Mexico City, Seoul and Santo Domingo. 

The Seoul Series will be the opener of the 2024 MLB regular season -- and will mark the first MLB regular-season games ever played in Korea. 

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association announced the full plans for the four series on Wednesday.

• Seoul Series: Dodgers vs. Padres, March 20-21 (MLB season opener) • Mexico City Series: Astros vs. Rockies, April 27-28 • London Series: Mets vs. Phillies, June 8-9 • Dominican Republic Series: Red Sox vs. Rays, March 9-10 (Spring Training)

• MLB international

"Major League Baseball is incredibly excited for this extensive slate of international games in 2024," Commissioner Rob Manfred said. "Our recent efforts have produced strong enthusiasm around the globe, and we look forward to building on that foundation with returns to Mexico City and London, while also opening the season in Korea for the first time. In addition, we can’t wait to celebrate the tradition of the sport in the Dominican Republic with our visit to Santo Domingo next March. We are thrilled that our fans across four different countries outside the United States and Canada will have the opportunity to see the game’s stars."

The MLB World Tour schedule for next year includes the return of games to the United Kingdom and Mexico for a second consecutive season, after the 2023 London Series between the Cubs and Cardinals and Mexico City Series between the Giants and Padres, in addition to new stops in Korea and the Dominican Republic.

“Players have a deep interest in growing baseball around the world. No matter where they come from, players are linked by a passion for our game that transcends different languages, cultures, and nationalities,” said Tony Clark, the executive director of the MLB Players Association. “The series announced today will allow fans around the globe to gain a first-hand appreciation for the unmatched skill and infectious enthusiasm players display every time they go to work. We are excited to expand our international presence in new communities and celebrate the game we all love.”

Here's a look at each of the four international series in 2024.

Seoul Series

The Dodgers and Padres will open up the 2024 season with two games in Korea from March 20-21.  

The Seoul Series will mark the ninth time that the MLB season has opened outside the 50 U.S. states and Canada, and the first time in five years. Previous international openers include:

• 1999 -- Monterrey, Mexico (Rockies vs. Padres) • 2000 -- Tokyo, Japan (Mets vs. Cubs) • 2001 -- San Juan, Puerto Rico (Rangers vs. Blue Jays) • 2004 -- Tokyo, Japan (Rays vs. Yankees) • 2008 -- Tokyo, Japan (Red Sox vs. A's) • 2012 -- Tokyo, Japan (A's vs. Mariners) • 2014 -- Sydney, Australia (Dodgers vs. D-backs) • 2019 -- Tokyo, Japan (A's vs. Mariners)

It will be the Dodgers' first international games since they played the Padres in Mexico in 2018, and their second Opening Day abroad after the 2014 season opener in Australia.

"The Dodgers have a long and proud history of helping to grow the game abroad, highlighted by our trips to Mexico, China and Australia. It's very exciting to add Korea to the list," Dodgers president Stan Kasten said. "I know our players are thrilled to put their talents on display in a country so rich with baseball tradition and talent, including former Dodgers Chan Ho Park, Hee-Seop Choi and Hyun Jin Ryu."

The Padres will be playing internationally for a second straight season, but in a new country, going from the 2023 Mexico City Series to the 2024 Seoul Series. Like the Dodgers, they've also played abroad on Opening Day before, in the inaugural international season opener back in 1999. 

"Korea is a great baseball country with a rich tradition, passionate fans, and talented players, including current Padre and San Diego fan favorite Ha-Seong Kim," Padres CEO Erik Greupner said. "The Padres are proud to serve alongside the Dodgers as global ambassadors for the game of baseball with our historic 2024 Korea Series."

Mexico City Series

The second Mexico City Series will feature the Astros and Rockies for a pair of games on April 27 and 28, almost exactly a year after this season's inaugural Mexico City Series.

Both Houston and Colorado last played internationally in Mexico, but in Monterrey, not Mexico City. The Astros played two regular-season games against the Angels there in 2019, and the Rockies played an exhibition series against the D-backs that same year.  

The Astros have played exhibition games in Mexico City before, in 2016 against the Padres and 2004 against the Marlins.

• 2023 Mexico City Series

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London Series

The London Series returns for its third edition overall, with the Mets and Phillies facing off at London Stadium on June 8 and 9.

The Mets will be playing abroad for the first time since 2010, when they faced the Marlins in Puerto Rico. But they're no stranger to international games, having participated in both MLB's first-ever international regular season games in 1996 in Mexico and MLB's first-ever regular-season games in Japan in 2000.

• 2024 London Series will feature NL East rivalry in Mets-Phils

"Interest in baseball is growing all over the world, and to bring the Mets' 'never-say-die' attitude to sports fans in London is a tremendous honor," Mets owner Steve Cohen said. "Our Queens family is ready to show London a great time with exciting baseball and amazing experiences that create new fans and build the Mets community throughout the United Kingdom." 

The Phillies have never played regular-season games internationally, and have left the U.S. and Canada only once, over 50 years ago, for a pair of exhibition games against the Pirates in San Juan in 1977.

"Major League Baseball has done an excellent job of expanding its footprint internationally, and we are honored to play a role in that effort as part of the 2024 London Series," Phillies managing partner John Middleton said. "This will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase our players' talents and highlight the excitement that comes with a Phillies-Mets matchup for our fans in the UK and for those who have never attended a baseball game."

Dominican Republic Series

In addition to the three international regular-season series planned for in 2024, the Red Sox and Rays will play a Spring Training series in Santo Domingo at Estadio Quisqueya from March 9-10.

"This unique opportunity builds on our long-standing connection to the Dominican Republic and allows us to celebrate the remarkable talents and rich cultural heritage of a country whose passion for the game has distinctly shaped our organization," Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said. "From the players who have passed through our Dominican Republic Academy to those who have helped us win championships, we have been fortunate to witness the profound impact of Dominican players within our game, and we are thrilled to be able to bring Red Sox baseball to such a vibrant baseball community next year."

Exhibition games are also a key part of the MLB World Tour, which includes up to 16 exhibition games being played internationally between 2023 and ‘26, as well as up to 24 regular-season games spanning Asia, Europe and Latin America.