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When traveling, choosing a good board game can turn an ordinary moment into a memorable gaming experience. For 2024, we have selected the 50 best games that can be easily slipped into your suitcase. Among them are timeless classics like Dobble, which combines deduction and speed, or new discoveries that promise to entertain friends and family during your getaways. From light party games like Taco Chat Bouc Cheese Pizza to strategic adventures like Crypte de Sedlec, this guide presents the ideal options for playing wherever you are. Get ready to embark on an unparalleled gaming adventure!
Top 50 Essential Board Games to Take on Your Travels (2025)
Going on a trip is the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy friendly moments with friends and family. Board games can turn an ordinary evening in a hotel or on a beach into a memorable gaming adventure. Discover in this article the 50 essential board games to take on your travels to enliven your getaways in 2024. Whether you enjoy challenges, strategy, or party games, there’s something for everyone!
Quick and Accessible Games
Dobble
A timeless classic, Dobble is the perfect game to slip into your suitcase. This game of deduction and speed, sold in over 10 million copies, can be played in just a few minutes, ideal when you are on the go. The cards always have a common symbol, and the goal is to be the fastest to spot it. Perfect for all ages!
Taco Chat Bouc Cheese Pizza
A hilarious party game, Taco Chat Bouc Cheese Pizza is a must-have to liven up your evenings. Players must get rid of their cards by making wacky combinations while adhering to quirky keywords. Its compact format is perfect for accompanying your travels and making your travel companions laugh.
Love Letter
Love Letter is a deduction game with simple rules. Each player tries to send a love letter to the princess while avoiding court intrigues. Its small format means you can take it anywhere, and each game only lasts a few minutes, making it perfect for filling wait times.
Light Strategy Games
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a placement game where players build a medieval map by placing one piece after another. Balancing strategy and luck, this game is quickly understandable for newcomers while offering depth that experts appreciate. Its travel version easily adapts to all your trips.
Splendor
In Splendor, players take on the roles of Renaissance merchants, seeking to accumulate resources to buy development cards. This elegantly designed game is both strategic and accessible, making it an ideal option for your suitcase.
Kingdomino
Kingdomino combines simplicity and strategy in a winning mix. Each player builds their kingdom by connecting dominoes based on similar terrains. The game is quick to set up and play, making it a good choice for impromptu games during your travels.
Party Games
Just One
Just One is a collaborative game where players must guess a word based on clues given by other players. The quirky aspect and the laughs are guaranteed! Its compact format makes it easy to take along, and it will delight groups of friends seeking fun.
Time’s Up!
In Time’s Up!, players must get their teammates to guess famous personalities over three rounds. It’s a hilarious party game that adapts to all types of groups. The small format of the game makes it perfect for travel.
6 qui prend!
6 qui prend! is a card game where the goal is to avoid collecting cows. Its system of simple rules and varied tactics makes it an excellent option for your nomadic life. It can be played quickly and easily, perfect for livening up an evening over a drink after a long day.
Games for Challenge Lovers
Bazar Bizarre
Bazar Bizarre is a game that tests your reflexes. Players must grab objects based on combinations of images on the cards. It’s an excellent choice for livening up your evenings where speed and dexterity are paramount.
Pikomino Mini
With Pikomino Mini, players must form combinations with dice and accumulate the corresponding tiles. This easy-to-understand and quick-to-play dice game is perfect for traveling and manages to inject a good dose of fun competition.
Punto
Punto is a board game that mixes skill and luck. The goal is to be the first to score a certain number of points by using cards strategically. Its small format allows you to bring it on all your outings without any concerns about bulk.
Family Games
The Ticket to Ride
In a luxurious setting, The Ticket to Ride invites you to build railways across the world. The game is both engaging and competitive, perfect for families. The beautiful travel version allows for play without taking up too much space while providing a rich experience.
The Sedlec Crypt
The Sedlec Crypt is a deduction game where players seek to solve mysteries in a gloomy atmosphere. This format is specially designed for travel, allowing you to dive into a thrilling adventure wherever you are.
Orchard
Orchard is a cooperative game where players work together to gather fruit. The rules are simple, and the game is ideal for introducing younger players to the joy of board gaming while being compact for transport.
Card Games
Taboo
The famous game Taboo will test your creativity and your ability to describe words without using certain terms. It’s an ideal game for groups wishing to have active fun. Its travel version is easily portable, perfect for a good evening.
Maximum 3 Clues!
Maximum 3 Clues! is a deduction game where players must guess a word using only three clues. Easy and quick to set up, this card game is an excellent option to take along, especially for a convivial sharing moment among friends.
Top Ten
Top Ten is a hilarious game where participants must give answers in an original way. The concept imitated during a quiz makes each round unique, and the light format allows for use during your travels without complication.
Outdoor Board Games
Village Pillage
This dynamic card game, Village Pillage, invites you to pillage villages while defending yourself from others. It’s a game that easily plays outdoors, ideal for enjoying the picnic area or the garden of your hotel.
Fiesta de Los Muertos
Fiesta de Los Muertos is a festive game inspired by Mexican culture. Families compete to take control of characters for a lively celebration. Its compact form makes it easy to transport for summer holidays.
Outdoor Games
You cannot forget to include outdoor games in your luggage. Discover the 55 must-have outdoor games. These games will add a touch of fun during sunny days.
Narrative Games
Prey Another Day
Prey Another Day is a narrative horror game where players must survive in a hostile world. The stories weave together through imagination, immersing participants in an engaging experience. Its short gameplay format is ideal for travel.
Ratjack
In Ratjack, you will need to make strategic decisions to succeed in your missions. This adventure game where narration is central makes each session unique, perfect for livening up an evening around a fascinating story.
Murder Mystery
Murder Mystery is an immersion game where a murder must be solved. Its ability to involve all players in a short time makes it a great evening companion for groups. You can take it anywhere thanks to its compact format.
Investigation Games
Murder at the Abbey
Murder at the Abbey sets an intriguing atmosphere where players must conduct an investigation. This game combines investigation, deduction, and strategy. Easy to transport, it will appeal to mystery story lovers and intellectual challenges.
Dilemma Express
A social investigation game, Dilemma Express puts you in the shoes of an investigator. Each round, tough choices must be made, creating twists and making each session unique. Its light format allows you to take it anywhere.
Board Games
Dune Imperium: The Sand Planet
Strategy fans will love Dune Imperium, an immersive game based on the famous saga. Players make strategic decisions while developing their conquest plan. This game will immerse you in the fascinating universe of Dune.
Living Forest
Living Forest is a strategy game where players fight to protect a sacred tree from flames. With its ecological theme, this game is both engaging and educational, perfect for families traveling with children.
Fun Challenges
Whether you’re a fan of challenges or adventures, these game choices will captivate your travel companions. Take with you the best options that won’t take up much space in your luggage but will guarantee hours of fun and laughter.
For more tips on board games, feel free to check out the resources available at Jeux Extraordinaires.
Comparison of Essential Board Games to Take on Your Travels (2024)
Board Games | Features |
Dobble | Fast deduction game, perfect for family. |
The Ticket to Ride | A luxurious strategy game on transportation theme. |
Taco Chat Bouc Cheese Pizza | A hilarious party game, ideal for groups. |
Love Letter | A simple and quick bluff game, easy to transport. |
Bazar Bizarre Mini | An observation and speed game suitable for everyone. |
Pikomino Mini | A friendly dice game, enjoyable for families. |
Dilemma Express | A game of quick decisions, engaging for friends. |
Orchard | A small cooperative game with beautiful aesthetics. |
Taboo | A classic for livening up evenings with friends. |
Maximum 3 Clues! | A fun clue game, ideal for interaction. |
Testimonials on Essential Board Games to Take on Your Travels (2024)
During my recent escapades, I had the opportunity to discover a selection of board games that I will not miss taking with me on every trip. Among them, the legendary Dobble delighted my friends and family with its deduction and speed mechanics. Its simplicity makes it a perfect game to slip into a suitcase while ensuring moments of thrills and laughter!
Another gem I recently tested is The Ticket to Ride. This game, with its exquisite graphics and captivating dynamics, allows players to immerse themselves in strategic battles for conquering the railway network. I found myself spending hours playing it on café terraces during my vacation, completely absorbed by the adventure.
For those who prefer a lighter format, Taco, Chat, Bouc, Cheese, Pizza is the ideal game. With its relaxed atmosphere, it stands out as an excellent way to break the ice among friends while waiting for a flight or during a long trip. The interaction and dynamics of this game have made it the best memory from my last road trip.
Family vacations take an entirely different turn with Just One. This cooperative game was particularly enjoyed during our quiet evenings in the hotel. Each player contributes to getting a word guessed through unique clues, inevitably leading to bursts of laughter and memorable memories. It’s a must-have that should absolutely find its place in your travel kit.
Finally, Love Letter impressed me with its simplicity and speed. While waiting to take the boat for an excursion, we were able to play several games in no time. Its compact size and accessibility make this game a fantastic option for traveling, adding a dose of strategy to your relaxation moments.
FAQ: Top 50 Essential Board Games to Take on Your Travels (2024)
What are the most popular board games to take on travels? Among the most popular games are Dobble, Taboo, and Love Letter. These games are appreciated for their quick playtime and ease of transport.
How to choose a board game suitable for traveling? It is recommended to favor small-size games that can be played quickly and enjoyed by a wide range of players, such as Taco Chat Bouc Cheese Pizza or Bazar Bizarre Mini.
Are travel board games suitable for all ages? Yes, many travel board games are designed to suit different age groups, including games for children like Orchard and games for adults like Dilemma Express.
What are the best occasions to play these games while traveling? These games are perfect for evenings with friends, breaks during the journey, or even relaxation moments at the hotel.
Can travel board games be played online? Some games like Love Letter have digital adaptations, but most traditional board games are primarily designed to be played on a physical board.
Where can we buy these travel games? Travel board games are generally available in specialty game shops, supermarkets, as well as in online stores.
Hello, my name is Romain, I am 39 years old, and I am a professional magician. Passionate about the art of illusion and board games, I also enjoy indulging in gambling. My goal is to entertain and amaze through my performances while sharing my passion for games with as many people as possible.