So, you played the original Ticket to Ride once at a cafe, loved it, and now you want to buy it. But then you search for it online and realize there are roughly a million different maps, cities, and spin-offs. Which one do you actually spend your money on?
Don't panic. Some of these are easier to find than others, but whether you want a quick 15-minute blitz or an intense 2-hour strategic war, we’ve ranked the absolute top 10 versions of the legendary train game you need to check out.
Best for: Getting the younger cousins involved without tears.
This is the junior version of the game. It strips away the points scoring and just focuses on completing 6 tickets to win. It is bright, fast, and the absolute best way to train kids for the real game later on. But if you have an all-adult group, skip this one and look higher up the list.
Best for: A quick coffee-break game.
Part of the "City" series, this shrinks the grand game down to a tiny map where you place iconic cable cars instead of trains. It adds a neat little mechanic where you collect souvenir tokens as you connect locations. It's over before you know it.
Best for: When you want maximum aesthetic in minimum time.
Welcome to the Roaring Twenties! Like the other mini-editions, Paris shrinks the map down for a lightning-fast game using little Parisian buses. The unique twist here is the "French Flag" bonus—if you manage to build a connected network that includes a Blue, a White, and a Red route, you score a nice chunk of extra points. It is chic, incredibly fast, and highly competitive.
Best for: Introducing newbies with zero commitment.
The original "City" edition. You play with yellow taxis trying to connect tourist attractions around 1960s Manhattan. Out of all the mini-games, this one feels the most like a concentrated, pure shot of the classic Ticket to Ride formula.
Best for: Group game nights and party settings.
This map expansion is incredible because it introduces a Team Play mode (2 vs 2 vs 2). You share a hidden pool of cards with a teammate sitting next to you, and you have to somehow coordinate your routes without actually talking about your strategy. It leads to hilarious "Why did you build there?!" moments.
Best for: When your game group has a lot of time and a massive table.
They took the classic train game and threw a massive curveball: Boats. Now you have to balance two different decks of cards (trains and ships) to cross oceans on a massive global map. It is the biggest, most complex version of the game. It’s brilliant, but definitely not for beginners.
Best for: Adding a familiar, highly competitive map to your game nights.
If you already own one of the base games (Europe or USA), you should grab this map expansion. The India map is incredibly tight, featuring special bonus points for completing routes in a "mandala" shape (connecting both paths of a destination ticket to form looping routes). It forces you to play differently than the base games.
Best for: Small, highly competitive groups.
Most Ticket to Ride games feel a bit loose with only 2 or 3 players. This map was built specifically for low player counts. It is a tight, snow-covered map where you will constantly be stepping on each other's toes and stealing each other's routes. Pure, beautiful spite.
Best for: The definitive gateway game for your friends who "don't play board games".
The USA map that started the empire. It is pure, simple, and elegant. You draw cards, you claim routes, you try to connect coast-to-coast. It misses out on the top spot only because it can be a bit unforgiving if someone blocks your single path into a city early on.
Best for: Literally any game night. This is the one to buy.
Europe takes everything great about the original game and fixes its only flaw. Got blocked by your friend? Europe introduces "Stations," allowing you to borrow their route to finish your ticket. Add in Tunnels and Ferries, and you get the absolute perfect balance of strategy and accessibility. If you buy one box, make it this one.
No stress. Get the party started right now by playing our instant, free virtual party games like Masala Grid and Guess the Link directly on your phones.
Play TashanPlay Games