Top 10 Travel Games for Families & Friends to Enjoy

Traveling is always exciting, but the journey can often feel long and monotonous. That’s where travel games come in handy. Imagine playing Ludo online with friends or a round of Monopoly with your cousins, bringing back all those fun childhood memories. In this article, we’ll highlight some fun travel games that will make your trip much more entertaining and unforgettable.

How to Choose The Perfect Travel Games

Before diving into the list of the top travel games to play on a trip, it’s important to understand how to pick the game that best suits your needs. Let’s take a look.

1. Portability: Select games that are easy to carry and don’t take up much space in your luggage. Compact, lightweight options are ideal for travel.
2. Number of Players: Consider the number of people who will be playing. Based on this, you can decide whether to pack a game for 2 players or games suitable for a larger group.
3. Duration: Think about the length of the game. Some travel games are quick and can be played in short bursts, while others may take longer and are perfect for extended journeys.
4. Ease of Learning: Choose games that are easy to understand and quick to learn. This way, everyone can jump in and start playing without needing to spend a lot of time on rules.
5. Entertainment Value: Pick games that are fun and engaging for everyone involved. Look for games that match the interests and preferences of your travel companions.
6. Replayability: Opt for games that offer a lot of replay value so you can enjoy them multiple times without getting bored.

List of Top 10 Travel Games

Ludo 

Ludo brings back those nostalgic summer vacation memories of playing with all the cousins, getting super competitive, and losing track of time. It’s one of the best travel games for family, so definitely think about packing it for your trip. Or, save some space by playing online Ludo on Zupee. There are four exciting variations: Turbo Speed Ludo, Ludo Supreme League, Ludo Supreme, and Ludo Ninja, all playable in under 10 minutes.

How to play Ludo:

1. Pick your color and place your four tokens in the starting area.
2. Roll the dice. You need a six to move a token out of the starting area.
3. Move your tokens around the board based on the number you roll.
4. Navigate your tokens to your home column by rolling the exact number needed.
5. The first player to get all four tokens to their home wins!

Ludo Rules:

1. The game can be played by 2 to 4 Ludo players.
2. Depending on the variation, you need a six or a one to move a token out of the starting area.
3. Roll a six to get an extra turn. Three consecutive sixes end your turn.
4. Land on an opponent’s token to send it back to their starting area.
5. Some squares are safe zones where tokens can’t be captured.

It’s worth noting that the rules of classic Ludo can differ from the online versions. Read our comprehensive article on Ludo rules to understand the differences and navigate both easily.

Snakes and Ladders

The next game that comes to mind after Ludo is Snakes and Ladders, probably because many boards have it on the flip side. This way, you can pack just one board and enjoy two games—pretty awesome, right? Plus, Snakes and Ladders has great digital versions, making it one of the best smartphone travel games.

How to play Snakes and Ladders:

1. Place your token at the starting square.
2. Take turns rolling the dice and move your token forward by the number shown.
3. If you land on the base of a ladder, move up to the top.
4. If you land on the head of a snake, slide down to the tail.
5. The first player to reach the final square wins.

Snakes & Ladders Rules:

1. You must roll a 6 or 1 to move your token from the starting square.
2. If you land on a square occupied by an opponent’s token, their token is sent back to the starting square.

Discover how the Snakes and Ladders rules differ between the classic and online versions.

Tic-Tac-Toe

Tic-Tac-Toe, the game we all used to secretly play on the back of our notebooks during class, is perfect for travel. It’s great for both adults and kids and can be played on a board, the back of a notebook, or even online.

How to play Tic-Tac-Toe:

1. Draw a 3×3 grid on paper, a board, or use an online version.
2. Decide who will be ‘X’ and who will be ‘O’.
3. Players take turns placing their mark (X or O) in an empty square.
4. The first player to get three of their marks in a row (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally) wins.

Tic-Tac-Toe Rules:

1. Typically, ‘X’ goes first, but players can agree to alternate or choose differently.
2. A player wins by placing three of their marks in a row, column, or diagonal.
3. If all nine squares are filled without any player getting three in a row, the game is a draw.

Learn how to win Tic-Tac-Toe with these tips, tricks, and strategies.

Trump Cards

Trump cards are perfect for travel because they’re compact and super fun. With many online versions available, you don’t even need to carry a deck. For extra excitement and cash prizes, try Trump Cards Mania on Zupee. It’s an IPL-based cricket trump cards game you can play right on your phone.

How to play Trump Cards Mania:

1. Choose the online Trump Cards tournament.
2. Receive 11 IPL batsmen cards: 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze.
3. Pick the captain and vice-captain in 60 seconds.
4. Choose a stat in 15 seconds (30-second time bank available). The higher stat wins 1 point.
5. Special Rounds:
   • Captain Round: Win for 3x points.
   • Vice-Captain Round: Win for 2x points.
6. Highest score after 11 rounds wins.

Trump Cards Mania Rules:

1. It’s a 2-player game.
2. Both players play cards from the same tier each round.
3. Players have 60 seconds to choose captain and vice-captain cards or forfeit the 3x and 2x rounds.
4. Stats, once selected, can’t be unselected – so choose wisely.
5. The 30-second time bank can be used throughout the game. Exhausting the 30-second time bank will land the respective player out of the game.

Monopoly

When it comes to the top 10 travel games, especially for large groups, Monopoly is a must-have. Its compact and portable version makes it perfect for holidays, car journeys, or any adventure away from home. Imagine the fun and friendly competition you can bring along on your travels with this classic game in a convenient, travel-friendly size!

How to play Monopoly:

1. Each player chooses a token, starts on “GO,” and gets $1500.
2. Roll two dice, move your token, and follow the instructions on the space.
3. Land on an unowned property to buy it or auction it if you pass.
4. Land on owned property and pay rent to the owner.
5. Draw a card and follow the instructions.
6. Own all properties in a color group to build houses and hotels.
7. Go to jail if instructed. Get out by rolling doubles, paying $50, or using a card.
8. Collect $200 each time you pass “GO.

Monopoly Rules:

1. If you owe more money than you can pay, you must sell properties, houses, or hotels to raise funds. If you still can’t pay, you are bankrupt and out of the game.
2. The game ends when only one player remains after others go bankrupt.
3. Players can trade properties, money, and “Get Out of Jail Free” cards.
4. Properties can be mortgaged to the bank for cash. To lift the mortgage, pay the mortgage value plus 10% interest.
5. Landing on “Free Parking” has no special rules (unless house rules say otherwise).

Discover the 15 best board games for large groups.

20 Questions

If you’re searching for the best travel games for 2 adults, 20 Questions is an excellent choice. It’s simple, requires no equipment, and is both fun and thought-provoking. You can play it anywhere, making it perfect for long trips. Plus, it’s suitable for all ages. 

How to play 20 Questions:

1. One player thinks of an object, person, or place.
2. The other players take turns asking yes-or-no questions to guess what the Thinker is thinking of.
3. The Thinker answers each question with “yes,” “no,” or “I don’t know.”
4. Players continue asking questions until they reach 20 questions.
5. After 20 questions, each player gets one final guess.

Rules of 20 Questions:

1. Players take turns asking questions in a set order.
2. Only yes-or-no questions are allowed.
3. The Thinker must answer truthfully with “yes,” “no,” or “I don’t know.”
4. The player who correctly guesses wins and becomes the next Thinker. If no one guesses correctly, the Thinker reveals the answer and may stay the Thinker for the next round.

Bingo

We can’t talk about the best travel games for adults without mentioning Bingo. Known as Tambola in India, it’s a popular game of chance where players match numbers on their cards to those called out by a host. The goal is to complete a specific pattern, such as a row or column, to win. You can also play the game online on popular real money-earning apps.

How to play Bingo:

1. Each player receives a Bingo card with a grid of numbers.
2. A caller draws numbers randomly and announces them.
3. Players mark the announced numbers on their cards if they have them.
4. The first player to mark a specific pattern (e.g., a row, column, diagonal, or full card) shouts “Bingo!” and wins.

Rules of Bingo:

1. Each card has a 5×5 grid with numbers.
2. The caller draws and announces numbers randomly.
3. The winning pattern must match the game’s specified pattern.
4. When a player shouts “Bingo!” the card is checked to verify the win.
5. If more than one player shouts “Bingo!” simultaneously, they share the prize.
6. After a winner is declared, a new game can start with fresh cards.

Two Truths and A Lie

The next game is Two Truths and a Lie, perfect for travel because it requires no equipment and keeps everyone engaged. Each player shares two true statements and one false one about themselves, while others guess the lie. It’s a fun, interactive way to pass the time and learn more about each other.

How to play Two Truths and a Lie:

1. Gather all players in a circle or group.
2. Each player takes turns sharing three statements about themselves—two truths and one lie.
3. The other players guess which statement is the lie.
4. The player reveals which statement was the lie.

Rules of Two Truths and a Lie:

1. Players take turns in a set order.
2. Players must be honest about their truths and the lie.

Name That Tune

Name That Tune is one of the best travel games for adults as well as kids because it requires no gear and engages everyone. It’s fun, interactive, and perfect for passing the time on long trips, making it ideal for music lovers.

How to play Name That Tune:

1. Gather all players in a group.
2. One player hums or plays a snippet of a song.
3. The other players try to guess the name of the tune.
4. The player who correctly guesses the tune gets the next turn to hum or play a song.

Rules of Name That Tune:

1. Songs that have already been used cannot be repeated.
2. Set a time limit for guesses to keep the game moving.
3. Award points for correct guesses to add a competitive element.
4. Players must use recognizable songs and hum or play accurately.

UNO

UNO is one of the best travel games for adults because it’s compact, easy to learn, and fun for all ages. Players must decide when to play certain cards, manage their hand, and anticipate opponents’ moves. It’s definitely one of the finest small travel games out there.

How to play UNO:

1. Shuffle and deal 7 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards in a draw pile and flip the top card to start the discard pile.
2. If you can’t play a card, draw one from the draw pile. If it’s playable, play it immediately; otherwise, your turn ends.
3. Use Skip, Reverse, Draw Two, Wild, and Wild Draw Four cards strategically.
4. When you play your second-to-last card, shout “UNO.” The first to discard all their cards wins.

Rules of UNO:

1. Special Cards:
   • Skip: Next player loses a turn.
   • Reverse: Reverses play direction.
   • Draw Two: Next player draws two cards and loses a turn.
   • Wild: Change the current color.
   • Wild Draw Four: Change color, and next player draws four cards.
2. You must say “UNO” when you have one card left. If another player catches you not saying it, you draw two cards.
3. If a Wild Draw Four is challenged and successful, the player draws four cards. If unsuccessful, the challenger draws six cards.

Check out more card games to play with your friends and family!

Best Travel Games: FAQs