28 of the Best Travel Games for at Home and Abroad
Written by Dalene Heck
We have always loved games – board games, card games, Nintendo 64 – you name it, we probably tried it at least once. And in all of our nomadic travels, we were never without one. We always had a pack of basic cards with us, for sure, but more often than not, we also travelled with a game like Exploding Kittens, or Bohnanza stuffed somewhere in our luggage. Basically, we didn’t travel without a travel game!
Maybe you aren’t surprised that we then created our own travel game, because, why not? We had so much fun designing and infusing it with memories from the road. And we specifically made it small enough so that travellers like us could take it on the road.
But, why stop there? We also wanted to create a unique list of travel-themed games and portable games so that you can share in the fun. From epic board-top adventures to exciting pocket-sized escapades, these games are your passport to endless fun on the go.
Travel-Themed Games
Trip Chaser Card Game
Details: 2-6 players | 60 minutes
**Top Pick**
Trip Chaser is the ultimate armchair travel card game for competitive people. Get ready for a globe-trotting experience without the hassle of airport security and faster than you can say, “upgrade to first class.”
Prove who’s the most travel-savvy by buying, bartering, and gambling your way to various destinations. The more challenging a destination is to get to from North America, the more points it’s worth! But beware! There are event cards that can either help or hinder funding your travels. And, a fun fact is that these event cards were designed around actual things that have happened in our travels. Like Dalene losing her cell phone in the Galapagos Islands or Pete getting robbed in Mexico.
Such a fun card game! We took it on a road trip and played it with the whole family
T. Joy – Amazon Review
This game sold out in Canada in under THREE weeks (it’s since been restocked) and has racked up some awesome reviews. Make space for it in your bag (you won’t need much – it’s wee!) and thank us later!
Fun fact: Place an order, plant a tree! One tree will be planted for every game purchased to help offset carbon emissions.
Shotgun! The Card Game for Road Trips
Details: 2+ players | 30 – 480 minutes
Say goodbye to road trip boredom and hello to endless laughter with this family card game designed to turn your drives into unforgettable adventures.
Whether you’re belting out tunes, tackling trivia, or taking on hilarious challenges, Shotgun! guarantees non-stop entertainment for the entire journey.
With over 200 cards packed with dares, questions, and more, no two games are ever alike – meaning the fun never stops, mile after mile.
Fun fact: This game came from the creators of the hilarious “What Do You Meme”.
Ticket to Ride
Details: 2-5 players | 30-60 minutes
**Top Pick**
All aboard for a journey through time and tracks with this board game that’s a hit among train enthusiasts and history buffs alike!
Ticket to Ride is a travel game which requires you to outdo your opponents by constructing the most epic train route across turn-of-the-century North America. From coast to coast, you’ll be charting a course to coveted destinations while navigating the twists and turns of railroad history. (The phone app version of this game is also very good and one that we play often.)
Fun fact: The creator said that the idea for Ticket to Ride came to him during a morning walk along the Atlantic shore in Beverly, Massachusetts, in 2003, when he struggled with a concept for a different train-themed game.
Around the World in 80 Days
Details: 2-6 players | 45-60 minutes
Around the World in 80 Days, derived from the Jules Verne classic, challenges players to travel the Earth in 80 days, facing obstacles and adventures as they go.
The first player to return to London wins, but there’s a twist! You left the city under suspicion of theft from Her Majesty’s bank; you must return without any Rumor cards and £10 or less to prove your innocence. Be careful, though – moving too fast drains your wallet.
Winning requires alternating between cautious and ambitious moves, waiting for the perfect moment to return to the city. It’s one of the most fun travel games out there!
Fun fact: Based on the classic novel by Jules Verne.
Discover: Lands Unknown
Details: 1-4 players | 60-120 minutes
In the unforgiving wilderness, survival is a team effort – but with a healthy dose of competition thrown in. In Discover: Lands Unknown, work together to scavenge for water, food, and tools crucial for staying alive.
Just remember, the wilderness isn’t giving up its secrets that easily.
Think: Choose your own adventure.
Fun fact: Every copy of this board game is unique, with randomly selected components creating a different land for players to explore.
The World Game
Details: 2-5 players | 30-60 minutes
Think you know your world geography? The World Game is a card game that will test that knowledge about different countries and facts about each. It’s one of the travel games that is easy to learn and simple to play. Plus, it’s a fantastic way for anyone to learn about countries around the globe. There is also a World Game board game edition where players race around the world to discover famous landmarks along the way!
Fun fact: Did you know that Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia? We did because we’ve been there and we love that city. But if you didn’t, perhaps it’s time to brush up on your world geography.
Lost Cities
Details: 2 players | 30 minutes
Lost Cities is a two-player card game in which players embark on adventures to remote locations worldwide, seeking to uncover ancient treasures and artifacts. By mounting profitable archaeological expeditions to the different sites represented by the coloured suits of cards, players gain points to beat their opponents.
It’s a simple yet engaging travel game of risk and reward.
Fun fact: The game’s designer drew inspiration from his love for history and exploration.
Passport To Culture Travel Edition
Details: 2-5 players | 30-90 minutes
In Passport to Culture, players jet-set around the globe on a quest to fill their passports with stamps—it’s like a whirlwind vacation without the jet lag. Here’s the catch: to earn those stamps, you’ve got to flex your cultural muscles and answer questions about the diverse peoples and places you encounter.
Fun fact: The game includes more than 1,000 new and unique questions.
Lewis & Clark – The Expedition
Details: 1-5 players | 120 minutes
Explorers race from Missouri to Oregon, asking local Indigenous tribes for help. Set in the early 19th century, players of Lewis & Clark lead expeditions through the uncharted territories of North America. They face challenges along the way and make important strategic decisions to progress in a matter of hours instead of months.
This travel game offers a rich historical theme and immersive gameplay.
Fun fact: On November 30, 1803, the United States purchased Louisiana from Napoleon. President Thomas Jefferson decided to send two explorers – Meriwether Lewis and William Clark – to discover it.
Backpacker: The Ultimate Travel Game
Details: 2-6 players | 60 minutes
Travel the continents, taking photos in different countries. To win at Backpacker is one of the best travel games that requires you to outwit your opponents to be the player who has returned home with the most photos.
Play your cards wisely as you globe-trot through continents, dodging sick days and missed flights like a pro. With bonuses, advice (both good and bad), and the occasional curveball from fellow travellers, it’s a backpacker’s dream – or nightmare.
Pack your patience, plot your path, and brace yourself for a journey where anything can happen – and usually does.
Fun fact: Founded by two avid travellers who wanted to capture the excitement and challenges of globetrotting in a tabletop game.
Monopoly Here & Now: World Edition
Details: 2-4 players | 60 minutes
Like the classic board game, Monopoly Here & Now: World Edition throws in a global twist!
One of the most popular travel games sees competitors buy famous landmarks from cities worldwide, from the Eiffel Tower to the Sydney Opera House.
Roll the dice, make deals, and watch out for surprises along the way. It’s Monopoly on a worldwide scale – get ready to wheel and deal your way to victory.
Fun fact: A public online vote chose the iconic landmarks featured in the board game.
Flags Around the World
Details: 2-6 players | 45-60 minutes
Ready to show off your flag-recognition skills and become a globe-trotting trivia master? In Flags Around the World, you’ll spot flags, tackle country-themed questions, and rack up points.
Whoever ends up with the most points reigns supreme – it’s like winning the World Cup of trivia!
Fun fact: This is one of the travel games that holds the Guinness World Record for being the most widely played educational card game in history!
TABLETOPICS – Destination Anywhere
Details: unlimited players | unlimited minutes
Destination Anywhere isn’t about earning points, but it is the perfect addition if you want an excuse to talk about your travels (not that you need one)!
Whether you’re a globe-trotting wanderer or a weekend warrior, chances are you’ve racked up some seriously epic tales. This clever collection of icebreakers will have everyone swapping stories about their jaw-dropping escapades and wild getaways. Just no snooze-inducing slideshows are allowed.
Fun fact: No rules – just great conversation.
This That And Everything Canada
Details: 4+ players | 20 – 100+ minutes
As proud Canadians, we had to throw in a travel game that keeps us close to home! This That and Everything Canada is a perfect travel game for fellow Canucks and Canuck-curious comrades.
The concept is simple: where you and your team race against the clock to conjure up clues faster than a Mountie on horseback. From iconic Canadian landmarks to quirky cultural cuisine (think: ketchup chips), no topic is off-limits in this patriotic pursuit of guessing glory.
With each round lasting a mere 30 seconds, it’s a rapid-fire frenzy of descriptions, guesses, and inevitable fits of laughter. Can you paint a vivid enough picture of poutine or the elusive “double-double” to lead your teammates to victory? There’s only one way to find out!
So gather your toques, sharpen your wit, and prepare for a Canadian-themed showdown like no other.
Fun fact: Sorry, there’s no apologizing for the puns.
Other Games Made For Travelling
Settlers of Catan – Dice Edition
Details: 3-4 players | 60-120 minutes
**Top Pick**
Settlers of Catan is like the Olympics of board games, where players compete to build the most epic empire on the island of Catan. Being one of the planet’s most popular games, it’s awesome that it’s available in a dice version, which also makes it a great travel game.
With resource management skills that’d impress even the shrewdest CEOs and negotiation tactics sharper than a cat’s claw, you’ll trade, build, and strategize your way to victory. Collect sheep, wood, rock, brick and wheat, but always remember that every resource is a golden ticket to expanding your territory and outsmarting your rivals.
Plus, don’t forget to watch out for the robber – he’s like the neighbourhood cat who always knows where the treats are hidden and is out to get your resource cards! Seeing it’s one of our favourites, we’re pumped that it’s available in a travel games edition.
Fun fact: This popular game won many awards and became the first German board game to sell outside Europe. There are also many expansions, so the game will never become dull.
Scrabble To Go
Details: 2-4 players | unlimited minutes
Scrabble To Go is tailored for the adventurous soul – whether you’re a frequent flier, a railway rover, or simply enjoy day trips, this game is your perfect travel companion. It makes the hours fly by, when you’re flying.
With its portable case compact design, the letter tiles securely lock into the plastic grid game board, ensuring they stay put even during bumpy rides. Say goodbye to tile turbulence and hello to uninterrupted wordplay on the go.
Fun fact: Scrabble was originally called “Lexico” and later named “Criss Cross Words” before gaining its permanent moniker.
Exploding Kittens
Details: 2-5 players | 15 minutes
**Top Pick**
Prepare for a purr-fectly chaotic game night with Exploding Kittens – it’s like Russian Roulette, but with a hilarious feline twist.
Players take turns drawing cards, praying they don’t stumble upon the explosive kitty that spells doom. With cards to dodge disaster by peeking ahead, making opponents draw extra cards, or shuffling the deck, the tension mounts with every draw.
As the deck thins, the risk of encountering the explosive furball grows, leading to a climax of catastrophic kitty chaos. Perfect for the whole family, it’s a game as unpredictable as a cat on catnip and fits perfectly in a backpack.
Fun fact: Exploding Kittens is the #1 most-backed project in Kickstarter history and has sold over 11 million games.
Travel Cribbage
Details: 2-6 players | 30 minutes
A game where counting cards is encouraged, all wrapped up in a portable folding board with some tiny pegs. Your goal? Outscore your opponent by creating card combinations and racing around the board faster than a squirrel up a tree. And you definitely don’t want to get skunked!
With its mix of luck and strategy, cribbage is the perfect blend of brains and banter – just don’t get too confident when you’re ahead, or you might find yourself pegged back to square one.
Fun fact: Cribbage has been around since the 1600s. English Poet Sir John Suckling first popularized it.
Pass The Pigs
Details: 2-10 players | 30 minutes
Get ready for some oink-tastic fun with this portable beer and pretzels game! In Pass the Pigs, these aren’t your ordinary dice – they’re adorable mini pigs with a dot on their right flanks, ready to roll into action.
The goal? Score 100 points before your opponents using these porcine pals as your dice. With each turn, you’ll toss the pigs and cross your fingers for a lucky landing in one of the scoring positions – from a “snouter” to a “leaning jowler,” there’s a whole barnyard of points waiting to be won (or squealed over).
Fun fact: This game was inspired while the creator was on vacation. See? travel pays off.
Travel Yahtzee
Details: 2-10 players | 30 minutes
Like regular Yahtzee, Travel Yahtzee has an adventurous twist – perfect for road trips, flights, or even waiting for your next connection. It’s one of the best travel games to throw in a small pouch or backpack for easy access.
Roll the dice, score big, and aim for that elusive Yahtzee while you navigate the ups and downs of travel. With its compact design and portable dice cup, you can roll for victory wherever your wanderlust takes you.
Shout “Yahtzee!” from the top of the Eiffel Tower or the depths of the Grand Canyon – the world is your game board!
Fun fact: A fun fact about Yahtzee is that it was originally called “Yacht” and was created by a wealthy Canadian couple who developed the game during their yacht trips in the 1950s.
Mad Libs
Details: 10+ players | 10+ minutes
This game takes us back to our youth! You fill in the blanks of a pre-written story with random words, and voila – instant comedy gold. Whether you’re concocting a zany adventure or crafting a ridiculous love letter, Mad Libs is guaranteed to bring the laughs.
This word game provides hours of fun, especially on a long airport layover.
Fun fact: The creators were brainstorming ideas for a new game when they realized they needed a quick and easy way to fill in the blanks in a story they were writing. They created a prototype by simply asking friends for random words to complete the story, and the hilarious results sparked the idea for Mad Libs.
Travel Boggle
Details: 6+ players | 10 minutes
Play the classic board game Boggle in miniature size. Another of our go-to travel games, Travel Boggle, tasks players to outplay their opponents in a set amount of time. Players write down as many words as they can find on the grid before time is up! Find the most words to win.
It’s typically meant for two or more players, but this travel game is also a perfect grab-and-go for one player to play a quick game alone to fend off a little boredom.
Fun fact: There are plenty of different versions of the travel boggle game, but this one is the world’s tiniest. And, cutest.
Trailblazers (Super Travel Edition)
Details: 2-8 players | 30 minutes
A travel game that’s all about flexing those brain muscles with a side of daring risk-taking! Trailblazers is the ultimate adventure for those who love pure spatial puzzling and thrive on push-your-luck route building.
It’s like being the Indiana Jones of the great outdoors, except with imaginary hiking boots or a trusty river paddle as your tools of choice.
With straightforward and highly approachable rules, this is one of our favourite travel games and is perfect for both on-the-go novice adventurers and seasoned trailblazers alike.
Fun fact: Inspired by real-life outdoor adventures and the thrill of exploring untamed wilderness.
Card games
We never leave home without a pack of cards, and if you see us delayed in an airport, this will be exactly what we’re doing! What’s toughest is finding good games for two players, but below, you’ll find some of our faves.
Golf
It’s like hitting the links without the sunscreen and golf carts.
Your goal? To have the lowest score possible by swapping out high-value cards for lower ones, just like trying to improve your handicap.
But watch out for those pesky “sand traps” and “water hazards” – in this card game, they’re just sneaky ways to rack up points faster than you can say “fore”!
Play with a standard deck of cards.
Nerts (Dutch Blitz)
It’s like solitaire on steroids, with a side of chaos and a dash of competitive spirit. Nerts or Dutch Blitz is a game that I have been playing with my family since I was wee – it works as a 2-player game but also with as many players as you can get. (More players = ULTIMATE chaos.)
Your goal? Get rid of your cards faster than your opponents while shouting “Nerts!” at the top of your lungs.
It’s a race against time, luck, and your own sanity as you frantically stack, slap, and swap cards to come out on top.
Play with a standard deck of cards.
Speed
The goal of this card game is to be the first to discard all your cards by playing them onto shared piles in ascending or descending order.
It’s a frenzied frenzy of flinging cards and frantic finger-work as you race against your opponent to claim victory.
Play with a standard deck of cards.
Tabletop Crib
It’s like the classic card game, but with a twist—instead of a traditional board, you play on any flat surface.
Your goal? To outsmart your opponents by scoring points with clever card combinations, all while keeping one eye on your hand and the other on the gravy boat. It’s a card game of wit, luck, and culinary prowess, where every play is as satisfying as a perfectly timed forkful of pie.
Play with a standard deck of cards.
Dice Games
Dice
It’s like rolling the dice in life, except in this game, you get to control the chaos (kind of).
Your goal? Roll winning combinations and rack up points faster than your opponents, all while crossing your fingers for that elusive lucky streak.
It’s a rollercoaster of highs and lows, twists and turns, with every roll bringing a new twist to the tale.
So grab those dice, roll the bones, and let the good times roll in the unpredictable world of Dice!
Instructions are here, and all you need to play with is a standard set of dice.
Games Accessories
Bits Bins
If you’re anything like us, we’ve worn out original game boxes and the storage bags for the meeples, dice and other bits. Or we can never get the original game and pieces to fit back in the box the way it came. Thankfully, we found Bits Bins.
They have a big selection of game-piece storage solutions for cards, game pieces and other accessories. They have a large selection of high-quality choices in different designs and sizes, and they even have a small selection of bins made specifically for select games. Finally there’s an answer for us who want to keep our best travel games organized.
