Looking for some new travel game ideas? These games will turn evenings and downtime on holiday into fun and laughter-filled moments you can experience together.
After a rewarding day of exploring or relaxing by the pool, down-time on holiday can feel like you’re just waiting for the next day to begin.
Sure you could just pass the time scrolling social media, or watching something on youtube… but that’s hardly the most sociable activity and kind of misses the point of travelling with others, right?
It’s important we also take time away from screens to fully appreciate the experience and where we are.
There’s nothing quite so refreshing as a digital disconnect abroad to improve our mental health.
Travel games are a brilliant way to fill this free time and continue to create new memorable moments with your partner, friends or family. You can broaden your mind by exploring a new place, and then compliment it with discovering new games to enjoy together.
Maybe you spent the day on a hike or walking around a new city.
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a cocktail as the sun sets afterwards, and few activities which accompany this as well as the excitement and banter of a travel game.
This list explores our top recommendations of games which travel well: from weird, wacky and wonderful games that guarantee laughter and a good time, to tried and tested classics that only need a simple deck of cards.
Quick travel games you can play anywhere
Star Realms
How to play: You start with a hand of very weak cards, and progressively spend currency to buy new better cards to build your deck with, while trying to destroy your opponent’s ships and health.
Why we like it: Star Realms is a well-known “deck-builder” that is a classic favourite of many game enthusiasts. This little box is excellent value for money, and actually was one of the games that led to us trying bigger and more complicated stuff.
Details: 2 Players, Competitive, 20-30 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch a 3-minute review
Other variations: Hero Realms, plus android and iOS versions
Exploding Kittens
How to play: Draw cards from a shared deck, while manipulating the cards to avoid drawing one of those explodey kitten cards.
Why we like it: There aren’t many small card games that pack as much tension and enjoyment as Exploding Kittens. And while it’s very heavily luck-based, there’s real glee when you see your opponent draw that dreaded card, and suspense as you wait to find out if they’ve lost, or got a defuse lifeline!
Details: 2-5 Players, Competitive, 15 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch a 3-minute review
Other Variations: NSFW version, Partypack, plus Android and iOS versions (note, these digital versions are online multiplayer)
Hive Pocket
How to play: Place tiles resembling a variety of creatures in a chess-style, strategic game where you must form patterns and surround the opponent’s queen.
Why we like it: Hive pocket is strategic enough to satisfy those who want to test wits, and yet plays in 20 minutes with a very light and aesthetically-pleasing theme. We like games which are rewarding to play win or lose, and Hive does this really well. The fact it comes in a small bag also means it’s perfect for travel.
Details: 2 players, Competitive, 20 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch a review
The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
How to play: Work with your partner to complete trick-taking missions, playing cards in certain suits to meet increasingly difficult goals. And you must do it all without talking about your cards.
Why we like it: Sometimes it’s nice to be on the same side for a change, and collectively work towards a common goal. The Crew has won multiple awards for its super simplistic yet brilliant gameplay, and some of the missions will certainly defeat you. What makes The Crew great is somehow you always want to dive back in (pun intended), and apply your learnings from past rounds to get that joint win.
Details: 2-5 players, Co-operative, 20 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch a 3-minute review
Other Variations: The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Basically The Crew 2)
Love Letter
How to play: This game of deduction and luck has you drawing a card, and then playing a card, each with a power that can eliminate other players or leave you vulnerable…
Why we like it: Love Letter is the perfect filler game to kill some time in an airport or to warm you and your friends up before a board game night. There are only 16 cards and rounds can move lightning quick. Whilst the powers can be ruthless, the luck-based nature of the game makes it very light-hearted and sociable. You can also play it with a deck of cards, or print out your own set of Love Letter for free here.
Details: 2-4 players, Competitive, 20 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch how to play
The Fox in the Forest
How to play: Another trick-taking game like the Crew but specifically for 2 players, play cards from your hand to win tricks, change the trump suit and more.
Why we like it: The theme was the key factor which drew us to get this game. There’s something very relaxing and almost enchanting about the nature and animal artwork, making it good as a filler or game to play while abroad watching the sunset. There’s also a real need to balance winning and losing, like you are sitting on a see-saw. Win too many tricks and you end up losing, which is a real fairy tale come true for those who started poorly… The Duet version makes this even more chilled, as it’s co-operative instead of competitive.
Details: 2 players, Competitive, 30 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch a review
Other Variations: Fox in the Forest Duet (Cooperative)
Games which need some table-space
Radlands
How to play: Place camp followers and spend water resources in this post-apocalyptic game to try and destroy your opponent’s camps!
Why we like it
We are HUGE fans of Radlands, so buckle in for this one. It’s actually one of the games (along with Star Realms) which introduced us to the wider world of board games outside your classics like Monopoly. There are a couple of things which make Radlands extra special though.
The gameplay in Radlands allows the post-apocalyptic theme to really capture you, and every card’s power makes sense.
Then you have the components: the water tokens lock you in a battle of scarcity, while you compete on the mats trying to establish control. We first bought the retail version (without the game mats), and can honestly say it’s unlikely you’ll find better value for money in a 2 player card game – this is supported by the fact it’s the highest-rated game on this list (8.2 on BGG).
However, Roxley Games then were kind enough to send us the Super Deluxe version to test, and all we can say is wow – this takes the experience and theme to a whole new level! The main box has beautiful artwork, and the plastic water tokens and PVC cards are much more durable with satisfying and high-quality weight to them. That’s not all though…
The clear highlights of this version are the mats. Having these mats makes managing the flow of the game even smoother, and the vibrant colours are just gorgeous to look at. The Super Deluxe version is definitely recommended for those who like to fully immerse themselves in a game’s theme.
Details: 2 players, Competitive, 20-40 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch a review
Other Variations: Deluxe, or Super Deluxe
Bananagrams
How to play: Race against your opponent to create a word grid with at least one shared letter. Then continuously add new letters and rearrange your words until one player has used all their tiles.
Why we like it: Bananagrams is like scrabble’s younger, much more hyper cousin. The time and simultaneously play means there are no long waits for your opponent to do something, and each new round of Bananagrams is exhilarating, with players randomly shouting out banana-related terms in line with their action. This is just a hugely accessible and charming game which can play up to 8 players (or alone), and in a perfect form for travel.
Details: 1-8 players, Competitive, 15 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch how to play
Jaipur
How to play: Trade materials or camels from the market to sell for points. Some materials yield more points than others but there are finite amounts, and you get more points for selling more of a material at a time.
Why we like it: One thing we really like about Jaipur is the level of interaction. You are constantly balancing a tightrope, wondering whether you should sell now or try to be patient for a bigger payoff. Wait too long though, and your opponent can totally mess up your plans, and make your own hand semi-useless. The market is also a source of suspense, as you never know if you’ll provide a valuable material to your opponent after taking your own cards. There are a few components which mean you’ll need some space to play, but it all fills into a small box that can be tucked in a suitcase easily enough.
Details: 2 players, Competitive, 30 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch a review
Codenames: Duet
How to play: Give your partner one-word clues so they can identify the cards (agents) you want in as few guesses as possible, while avoiding other cards (the assassin).
Why we like it: Are you and your partner so in sync that it’s like you can read each others’ minds? Codenames puts that claim to the test, big time. This game can get very tricky as you try to establish a connection between words which seem to have almost nothing in common, while making sure your partner won’t associate it with any of the other words. Turns can last a while in codenames as you rack your brains, but it’s intensely satisfying when you win a round.
Details: 2 players, Co-operative, 20-30 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch a review
Other Variations: Codenames (plays 2-8 players in teams)
Secret Hitler
How to play: Each player is secretly assigned to be liberal or fascist, and one player becomes Secret Hitler. Then each side coordinates to win, fascists trying to install you-know-who and sow distrust, while liberals try to stop them and enact liberal policies.
Why we like it: Requiring at least 5 players, Secret Hitler is the most party-friendly game in this section. Although… friendly is not really the optimal word. This game is equal parts fun and deduction: play as the fascists and you are trying to hide your identity, while the liberals desperately try to uncover the fascists and Hitler. Don’t expect this choice to bring the group together is all I’d say, but do expect it to be a huge laugh! If you want to get started straight away, there’s a free print-and-play version of Secret Hitler.
Details: 2-4 players, Competitive, 45 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch how to play in 4 minutes
Games you can play with a deck of cards
Skull
How to play: Each player starts with 1 skull card and 3 rose cards. Every turn, you place one of your cards down (skull or rose), and then someone can bid, guessing how many roses are placed. Guess correctly, and you get a point. Unveil a skull, however, and you lose a card.
Why we like it: While codenames is a silent, thinky affair, Skull is far more simple, sociable and laughter-fuelled. The game can be explained easily over some drinks, played with drink coasters or a deck of cards, and is full of bluffs and deception. Just make sure you bring your poker face.
Details: 3-6 players, Competitive, 15-45 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch a review
President
How to play: Trick-taking game where you play a single card or set of cards, and opponents must match or play a higher card/set to win. The winner is the person who gets rid of all their cards first.
Why we like it: The thing that makes President different from many other trick-taking games is what happens after a round. The winner, or President, gets to take the best cards from the person who finished last. Whilst pretty unfair, this does create a real theme of trying to dethrone that top player and a real underdog story of the last-place player. Hugely contagious fun.
Details: 3+ players, Competitive, 5 minutes per game
Regicide
How to play: Players work together to defeat 12 enemies, represented by the picture cards. Play a card to attack the enemy or activate the suit’s effect, and whether the enemy ripostes until all the enemies are defeated.
Why we like it: It’s very rare to find an enthralling fantasy-themed, cooperative game that can be played with a simple deck of cards. Regicide can be super challenging and presents real tactical decisions for you and your team. One misstep and the bosses can be very unforgiving, or you could fail by simply running out of cards! All you need to start playing are the rules, which you can find here.
Details: 1-4 players, Co-operative, 10-30 minutes per game
Buy on Amazon, or watch how to play
Rummy
How to play: You are dealt a hand of cards, then there is one card in the discard pile and a deck. Players take turns to first either take the card at the top of the discard or draw from the deck, then place card sets on the table. Sets can be created from the same suit or the same number. You can also add single cards to the end of sets already played. The first person to get rid of their cards wins.
Why we like it: I’ve played this game with my family since I was a kid. In fact, it was not uncommon to be sat an entire day by the pool and never look up from the rummy table (or sunbed). Rummy provides a beautiful balance of luck with your draws, but is heavily focused on skill – at least this is what my Grandma claims each time she wins…
Details: 2+ players, Competitive, 15 minutes per game
Bullsh*t
How to play: Split cards evenly among players. Each player then discards a card face down in order, starting with Ace, 2, 3 etc. You can also claim to place more than 1 of the cards. If you think a player is lying about the card(s) they’ve placed, you yell “Bullsh*t” at the top of your lungs. If they’re lying about the card they placed, they have to take the whole collection of cards placed. If they were telling the truth, you take the cards. The first player to empty their hand wins!
Why we like it: Do we even need to explain this one? Is there anything more fun than just making eye contact with another person and saying this word with a gleeful look? You can change the word for kids, but also there’s nothing funnier than a grandfather calling out his grandson, or the other way round. This game is great without alcohol, but with drinks, it becomes the best game on this list…
Details: 2-10 players, Competitive, 15 minutes per game
Well-known board game classics with travel-size adaptations
Articulate Travel game
We’re big fans of this one if you can consistently get at least 4 people to play.
Travel Chess
It’s a classic that only requires one other ardent fan to make it worth packing.
Monopoly Deal (Monopoly travel game*)
Are you a sore loser or a bad winner at regular Monopoly? Well, great news – now you can supercharge those emotions with this super quick and cheap version which is even more luck-based.
Travel Rummikub
Because nothing can replace the satisfying clink of mini tiles on a mini frame.
Scrabble Cards
For those purists who look at Bananagrams with abject disdain, or just refuse to be rushed.
Guess Who Travel Grab and Go
Ever tried playing this by doing guesses based on non-physical attributes? Like “Does your person look like they went a little wild at university?”. It’s hilarious and highly recommended.
Trivial pursuit travel
How else will all that useless knowledge you’ve accumulated come in handy? (speaking as someone who is always a burden on a quiz team).
Buy on Amazon (multiple themes available)
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