Best travel games for at home and abroad

Long journeys, airport waits, road trips, and quiet evenings away from home are much more enjoyable when you have the right game close at hand. Just as practical travel preparations may include checking documents, planning routes, or looking into services such as istimara renewal in Qatar, packing a compact game can be another simple way to make the experience smoother and more entertaining.

Here’s a list of travel-themed and portable games to keep the fun going, including options such as epic board games for longer sessions, pocket-sized adventures for quick breaks, and lightweight games that are easy to carry. Whether you’re travelling with family, spending time with friends, or exploring on your own, these picks offer plenty of entertainment on the go.

Trip Chaser

Details: 2–6 players | 60 minutes

Trip Chaser is the ultimate travel card game for competitive people — a globe-trotting experience without the hassle of airport security.

Prove who’s the most travel-savvy by buying, bartering, and gambling your way to goals around the world. The harder a destination is to reach from North America, the more points it’s worth. But watch out — event cards can help or hinder your travels.

Fun fact: Many event cards were inspired by real moments from our travels, like Dalene losing her phone in the Galapagos or Pete getting robbed in Mexico.

This game sold out in Canada in under three weeks and has earned rave reviews. It’s a popular gift, especially around the holidays, so don’t wait.

Shotgun! The Card Game for Road Trips

Details: 2+ players | 30–480 minutes

Planning a road trip can sometimes feel like a journey in itself. After packing bags, mapping out the route, checking fuel stops, and sorting through practical car-related matters — from roadside assistance options to searches such as istimara Qatar — you may feel ready for a break before the drive has even begun. Once the essentials are taken care of, Shotgun! helps everyone switch gears, relax, and start enjoying the journey.

Say goodbye to road trip boredom with this family card game designed to make long drives more entertaining. Belt out songs, test your knowledge with trivia, or take on hilarious challenges along the way. With more than 200 cards featuring dares, questions, and unexpected prompts, every round brings something different.

Fun fact: Shotgun! comes from the creators of What Do You Meme?

Ticket to Ride

Details: 2–5 players | 30–60 minutes

Top Pick

All aboard! Ticket to Ride is a hit among board game lovers, train enthusiasts, and history buffs. Players compete to build the most amazing train route across turn-of-the-century North America, navigating railroad history to reach coveted destinations. (The phone app is also great — one we play often.)

Fun fact: The creator came up with the idea during a morning walk along the Atlantic shore in Beverly, Massachusetts, in 2003.

Around the World in 80 Days

Details: 2–6 players | 45–60 minutes

Based on the Jules Verne classic, players race to circle the globe in 80 days. The first to return to London wins — but there’s a catch. You left under suspicion of theft, so you must return without Rumor cards and with £10 or less to prove your innocence. Move too fast and you’ll drain your wallet. Winning means balancing caution with ambition.

Discover: Lands Unknown

Details: 1–4 players | 60–120 minutes

Survival in the wilderness is a team effort — with a healthy dose of competition. Work together to scavenge for water, food, and tools, but don’t expect the wilderness to give up its secrets easily.

Fun fact: Every copy is unique, with randomly selected components creating a different world to explore.

The World Game

Details: 2–5 players | 30–60 minutes

Think you know your world geography? This card game tests your knowledge of countries and global facts. Easy to learn and simple to play, it’s also a great way to discover new places. A board game edition is also available, where players race to find famous landmarks.

Fun fact: Did you know Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia? If not, it might be time to brush up on your geography.

Lost Cities

Details: 2 players | 30 minutes

Lost Cities is a two-player card game where players embark on expeditions to remote locations, seeking ancient treasures. By mounting profitable archaeological expeditions — represented by coloured card suits — players earn points to outdo their opponent. Simple yet engaging, it’s a game of risk and reward.

Passport to Culture Travel Edition

Details: 2–5 players | 30–90 minutes

Travel the globe collecting passport stamps — like a whirlwind vacation without the jet lag. To earn stamps, answer questions about the people and places you encounter along the way.

Fun fact: The game includes more than 1,000 unique questions.

Lewis & Clark – The Expedition

Details: 1–5 players | 120 minutes

Players race from Missouri to Oregon, seeking help from local Indigenous tribes along the way. Set in the early 19th century, strategic decisions help you cover in hours what took months in real life.

Fun fact: After the US purchased Louisiana from Napoleon in 1803, President Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to explore it.

Monopoly Here & Now: World Edition

Details: 2–4 players | 60 minutes

A global twist on the classic. Players buy famous landmarks from cities around the world — from the Eiffel Tower to the Sydney Opera House. Roll the dice, make deals, and watch out for surprises.

Fun fact: The iconic landmarks were chosen by a public online vote.