The best travel board games
The best travel board games
I love traveling and I love board games. The perfect combination, right?
Whether you’re on a plane, in love with DMV, or enjoying a nice day, it’s always time for a board game.
That doesn’t mean you have to carry an entire backpack full of big games with you. Some games are perfect for travel and can even fit in your pocket (you ladies too).
Let’s take a look at some of the best travel board games you can always take with you!
Our best selections for the best travel board games
Are you in a hurry? Check out our favorites below.
The best family
The best pub game
Best overall
# 1. Tiny Epic Galaxies (or any tiny epic)
Honestly, any of the Tiny Epic series deserves a place on this list.
Each uses a different mechanical assembly and threads and is available in a small box (usually with cool looks).
The amazing thing about these games is that although they are all designed to be very compact, each one has a ton of gameplay.
They are constantly giving new games and you are sure to find something you like that easily fits your backpack.
Tiny epic galaxies are one of my favorites and they even managed to put the varied game of conquering the galaxy into a handful of maps.
# 2. Code names
Your spies are hidden all over the area and it is up to you and your team to successfully recover them from the field!
Codenames is an easy-to-learn fun game in which players try to find their team's hidden spies on the board without accidentally hitting a civilian or assassin.
It is primarily a word game in which one player gives simple hints and tries to lead his team to the correct card on the board.
It can be a very tense experience and it works well with larger groups . If you don't usually have a lot of players on the go, you can check out the Code Name Duet which is designed for 2 players.
- Collaborate to get in touch with all your agents in front of others ...
- Perfect fun for fun nights
- 2-8 + player (in two teams)
# 3. Secret Hitler
Political implications aside, Secret Hitler is one of the most popular social networking companies out there. He warns players of the seemingly rapid rise of fascism and comments on the political systems that allow it to rise. But he mostly lies and yells at his friends.
Secret Hitler is a huge amount of fun and can fit a very small package. You can probably take the whole game and put it in an envelope if you want to travel easy.
There is also a free version to print and play on their website, which you can print and cut smaller than the original if you don't care about card stock or print quality at home.
- A quick game of deception and betrayal
- Beautiful wooden components
- Massive game boards with foil insert
# 4. Jaipur
Jaipur is a very colorful card drawing game.
Players take on the role of traders and must successfully navigate the wide world of commerce.
Sell camels, buy goods, no matter which path you take, it’s all up to you. The more goods sold, the cheaper the price. However, be careful if you wait too long, you may miss some sweet offers.
Jaipur is very small with only maps and a few tokens that make it easy to pack for travel.
- SUBTLE TRADING GAME: In Jaipur, players take on the role of two ...
- STRATEGIC GAME: Collect and exchange goods in the market, then sell ...
- TWO PLAYERS COMPETITIVE GAME: Sell your opponent to win ...
# 5. Kingdomino
Dominos has always been a classic travel game. When I was sent to the Navy, a game inevitably took place somewhere below the decks.
If you’re not so much into classics and looking for something more exciting and modern, Kingdomino takes a similar concept to Dominos, but turns it into a fun little civic builder.
Players are responsible for their kingdom and must match the tiles to build the kingdom with the most points.
It also folds even less than most domino kits. Domino tiles are cardboard instead of heavy plastic or stone.
- Strategy board game: Kingdomino is one of ...
- Strategy game for family or adults: This fantasy game for 2 to 4 players ...
- How to play: Kingdomino prepares cards and lays tiles ...
# 6. Love letter
The whole game is 16 cards. I know men with multiple credit cards in their wallets.
Love Letter is probably the most portable game I’ve ever seen and our deck has been taken seriously. It’s the perfect fast-paced game that you can pull out and play wherever you are.
The designers have managed to insert a very solid game of deductions / bluffing into a very handful of cards and this is a game that will be used constantly.
If you don’t like a theme or artwork, there are many other versions available with different features, so you’re sure to find something good.
- In the package with the Again Products guarantee: authentic, real, ...
- Small packaging for easy carrying Two new character roles ...
- Brand new illustrations give the classic game a fresh, modern ...
# 7. For sale
I first played at the sale with Kendra’s family when we first started walking. Her uncle Carl introduced me to this game and it is a lot of fun. I didn't do very well.
This is a fun family friendly bidding game where players try to make the most money by bidding for different properties.
It’s part of a series of games from the Eagle-Gryphon Game that fit perfectly on the shelf, so when it’s not in the travel bag, it looks amazing on the shelf.
I’m a little weird about the aesthetics of my board game.
- Age: 8 years and older
- Number of players: 3 to 6
- Playback time: 20 to 30 minutes
# 8. Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! it’s a very cute game, but it’s also a great game. Players collect sushi cards to add to their “menu”. Each different type of sushi is wonderful and has different results. The player who has the most points at the end of the meal wins.
It’s a great transition game , very easy to learn and great for families and kids.
The whole game is a handful of cards, so you can easily take it and play it wherever you go.
If you’re not into a wonderfully lovely sushi, check out the multilingual edition with some creepy alternative artwork.
Check out our full review of Sushi Go! Fun here .
- Includes 108 cards
- Game rules
- Strengthens likelihood, visual discrimination and strategic ...
# 9. Hive or hive pocket
Beehive is a great game with five players that requires only a flat surface and a set of tiles.
Players place their insects on the board and try to circle the opposing queen.
It reminds me a lot of chess, but a little more modern.
There is even a special version of the travel size that is comprehensive, only in pocket size and fits a small purse.
# 10. Lost Places: A card game
Who in their dreams did not dream of being Indiana Jones? I think still, but that's not the point.
Lost Cities is a simple card game where players try to organize increasingly lucrative expeditions.
It’s in itself a fantastic two-player travel game, but they’ve grabbed it easier than ever with the Lost Cities To-Go release (if you can find it).
It’s even smaller and easier to play wherever you are.
- Two researchers embark on research trips to remote corners ...
- Explore the Himalayan mountains, the Central American rainforest, ...
- Expeditionary routes are being formed and researchers are earning points
# 11. Citadel
Citadels is a simple role-based card game.
Players at the beginning of the round secretly choose roles to gain an advantage while trying to build a place for the most winning points.
It is easy to learn and offers a lot of variety for the players.
Most of the game consists of cards with only multiple chips that you can use to track money. This is an easy choice for players on the go.
# 12
The coup is a handful of cards and a few chips. The box is small enough to be worn in a pair of men’s pants (sorry ladies, but your pockets suck).
The box can even pull double work if you remove the cartridge. Then you will be able to install some other games. I managed to fit Love Letter and a Munchkin into my Coup box during the trip.
This is a great hidden role-playing game with which I have very successfully introduced new gamers, and it is great for meeting people during your travels or at the bar.
- Age Mfg. Minimum: 120.0 months
- For 2 to 6 players
- Play in 15 minutes
# 13. Forbidden Island, Desert or Sky
These are in slightly larger packages than most of our travel games.
Most of the boards in both games are made of tiles and can be easily moved to a smaller transport box.
The Forbidden Series is a fantastically challenging cooperative game and personally The Forbidden Desert is my current favorite.
- Forbidden Island
- Forbidden desert
- Forbidden sky
Players must rush across the board and look for relics or pieces of a broken airship (depending on the game you’re playing) and then escape before everyone dies.
This is a great way to unleash a great boxing game.
# 14. Tide of the Hour
Tide of Time is another card game with two players on the list. Perfect for a duet on the go.
Players compete by building their civilization in a few rounds. In each round, players will draw cards for their kingdom and score at the end of the round.
One building from each round remained as a relic of the past to earn some bonus points.
He is a fast, easy builder of civil works who works very well on the road and does not need much table space. I adore the builders of civil works and it’s always wonderful to have an entire civilization in your back pocket.
# 15. Great Dalmatians
It’s a bit oldie and could probably be played with a modified standard deck of cards, but you’ll miss all the fashion work of these cards.
In The Great Dalmouth, players will try to go out first. In each move, players try to play cards in the middle to complete their card in front of everyone else.
It’s easy enough to teach anyone and it’s a great waste of time.
- The 80-card commercial deck contains cards ranked from 12 to 1, a total of ...
- Each card has a number that is not only its ranking, but also ...
- An easy card game where players gain status by going out first
# 16. Money
Pairs is a pretty simple game.
The object of the game is ... not to get money.
For some reason, this annoys me, but the 55-card deck is easy to play, easy to learn, and fits in your back pocket.
A great game is to drive to the bar and it is perfect for groups.
If you are into printing and gaming, you can also make your own deck as a fun DIY project. (We made.)
# 17. Hanabi
What happens if you have a crew full of incompetent illuminators?
They replace all the fireworks and jeopardize the whole celebration!
Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened to Hanabi , so it’s up to the awkward pyrotechnicians to correct their mistake. Players will have a handful of cards but will not be able to see their hands. Instead, they will see maps of everyone else.
Players have to play fireworks one after the other to perform as spectacular a performance as possible ... or they fail and disappoint everyone.
- For 2-5 players
- 2013 Spiele des Jahres game of the year
- Playing takes about 20-30 minutes
# 18. Munchkin
People love or hate Munchkin. Personally, I’m a fan of the game and Kendra and I play it all the time.
Each central set of the game is about 2 large decks of cards. It can start to take over the table with all the equipment and upgrade cards, but it’s a fast and dirty D&D -inspired card game where you can stab your friends in the back.
What wouldn't you love?
- You can play the whole game out of the box
- 3 to 6 players
- 1 2 hours to play
# 19. Goat gentlemen
As you can see from the name of the website, we like the farm Animals . Goats are no exception.
Goat Lords is a simple card game with weird artwork. Players will try to build the largest herd of goats, for the most points, but as with all of these types of games , it’s never that simple.
Players will have more action cards to steal and obtain more goats.
My personal favorite is Escape Goat!
It’s silly and silly, but it’s fun and easily fits in your travel bag on the go.
- ✔ Voted # 1 goat game of the year! Get ready for ...
- ⭐️ "The funniest card game I've played since Monopoly Deal!" ...
- Ideal for any occasion! At ‣ Goat Lords is just ...
# 20. Exploding kittens
Unusually, I love oatmeal comics . The author is such a weird guy and his children’s drawings are usually quite noticeable.
The Kitten Blast is a handful of cards, so it’s as portable as you want it to be.
The goal of the game is simply not to explode. Maybe that’s what we’re all great at every day, but it’s actually pretty tough in the game.
Exploding kittens + amazing artwork = great play.
- Russian roulette with cards on Kitty - hit fun game ...
- Winner of the Game of the Year award - more than 10 million copies sold, ...
- A simple card game for children and adults - perfect for everyone ...
# 21. Unstable unicorns
If life ever gives you a chance, always choose to be a unicorn. It has to be a sticker on the bumper somewhere.
Unstable Unicorns is a cute card game where you try to build the most impressive unicorn barn.
It is filled with absurd and often disrespectful depictions of unicorns, and depending on the extension, it may be perfectly suitable for children or 100% for adults only .
It’s silly, cute and easily sits in your travel bag.
- Build an army of unicorns. Betray your friends. Unicorns are your ...
- Unstable Unicorns is a strategy card game that will destroy your ...
- The game was one of the 100 most supported Kickstarter projects ...
# 22. Bananagrams
Bananagrams are stupid.
I’m mostly drawn to stupid things, which may be where my love for Bruce Campbell’s films may come from, but it doesn’t matter.
Bananagrams is a classic word game in the sense of Scrabble but comes in a beautiful canvas banana bag.
Simple and great for families. Bananagrams are even available in multiple languages, which is great if you want to practice your language skills while traveling.
- FUN FOR EVERYONE - Gather your family and friends and race ...
- FUN AND EDUCATIONAL - Although this game is easy to play, ...
- GREAT FOR TRAVEL - Bananagrams are fun in the shape of a banana ...
# 23. Katan
Strike Catan Island now enters all flavors and varieties from Game of Thrones to historical recreation. It’s such a simple concept, and at the same time it’s very easy to immerse an hour and hours of your life into the game.
If you’re a crazy person like me, you can also take Catan Island with you wherever you go if you like the need to trade sheep for wheat.
Catan: The dice recreate a popular sheep-powered economy, with a handful of dice that are more like Yahtzee than Catan, but still fun.
If you want a more authentic Catan experience, you can choose Rivals for Catan, which plays Catan but changes it to a two-player experience.
For purists among you, they even make Catan Traveler, which is a complete Catan board that fits your own travel bag and folds.
# 24. Carcassonne
I love Carcassonne . It’s so simple, but so much fun. I think most of my family members have a copy in their glove.
This simple tile-laying game can be easily transported in a bag to pull goods. If you get retailers and builders, the expansion comes with a full-size bag or some fashion fabric bag that works well.
This is one of the first non-Parker Bros games that most people play ... and there's a reason for that.
This is an amazing transition game with a lot of repeatability that you can play almost anywhere.
- STRATEGY GAME - PLAN YOUR WAY FOR VICTORY: Develop the landscape ...
- ONE STEP IN TIME PLAYING ON THE TILE: Players complete ...
- JACK OF ALL TRADES: Followers can take on many different roles ...
# 25. Tikal
Tikal is different from many of the games on this list because it is a great game.
There aren’t many like that on this list because ... well, they come in a big box and they’re harder to travel with.
He was ticking here because Kendra’s cousin Nick showed us how it made him friendly to travel. The tile itself is a bit unnecessary and really only needs the initial tile locations.
Nick actually traced the starting tiles, threw all the components in the bag and it actually worked well as a travel game. You probably won’t be able to take him to the pub, and he takes it with him to camping and music festivals when he has some congestion.
If you are looking for a great box in Ziplocs, then Tikal is where it is.
# 26. Skull
There is something fascinating in the artwork with the sugar skull.
The skull is beautifully designed but simple to play. Players have a set of flowers and a unique skull card. Players try to put down their cards while tricking their teammates into calling their bluff.
If a bluff is required and the skull is revealed, the player loses the card.
Simple but hard to handle with just a handful of cards, Skull is a great travel game. Be careful, the cards are in the shape of a pedestal and you can easily swap them for drink coasters and set a drink or two on the cards.
- OCCUPATION GAME: Skull is a fun fun bluffing game, ...
- STRATEGY GAME: Each step you can add ...
- CHALLENGES AND COMPETITION: Challenge your bluffing skills by ...
conclusion
The weirdest place I’ve ever played on a desktop was at the DMV (US Department of Motor Vehicles). I was bored out of my head when we were kids, when I was playing a kid’s card game. Before you knew it, all the other kids who stayed were playing with us and we were actually having fun.
What is your story about travel games? Is your favorite game not on the list?
Leave a comment below - we'd love to hear from you.
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