All Aboard for an Epic Rail Adventure!
Connect cities, complete routes, and build your railroad empire in the award-winning board game that has captivated millions worldwide.
Game Overview
Embark on a railway adventure across North America in this award-winning strategy game that's easy to learn but challenging to master.
The Ultimate Railway Adventure
Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure where players collect cards of various types of train cars that enable them to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America.
Simple to Learn
Rules that can be learned in under 15 minutes, providing a perfect gateway into modern board gaming.
Strategic Depth
Balance risk and reward as you decide when to claim routes, complete destination tickets, or collect more cards.
Family Friendly
Perfect for ages 8+ and playable with 2-5 players, making it ideal for family game nights and gatherings with friends.
What's in the Box
Game Board
Beautifully illustrated board featuring a map of North America with railway routes connecting various cities.
Train Cards
110 colorful train car cards used to claim routes between cities on the board.
Destination Tickets
30 destination ticket cards that define the secret objectives players are trying to complete.
Train Pieces
240 colored train pieces (45 per player) used to mark claimed routes on the board.
Game Editions
Explore the world through various editions of Ticket to Ride, each with unique maps, rules, and adventures.
Ticket to Ride
The original classic set in North America. Build your rail empire across the United States and southern Canada.
Ticket to Ride: Europe
From the canals of Venice to the gates of Constantinople, build your rail network across turn-of-the-century Europe.
Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries
Journey through Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden in this edition designed specifically for 2-3 players.
Ticket to Ride: Rails & Sails
Expand your journey to the high seas with ship routes as you explore the world or the Great Lakes region.
Ticket to Ride: London
A quick-playing, compact version set in 1970s London with double-decker buses instead of trains.
Ticket to Ride: Digital
Experience the excitement of Ticket to Ride on your PC, mobile device, or gaming console.
Complete Your Collection
Discover the full range of Ticket to Ride games and build your ultimate board game collection. With games set across different continents and time periods, there's always a new adventure waiting.
How To Play
Learn the basics of Ticket to Ride in just a few minutes and start your railway adventure!
Ticket to Ride: Official Tutorial
Learn to play in under 5 minutes
Game Rules Overview
Game Setup
Each player receives 45 colored train cars, 3 Destination Tickets (keep at least 2), and 4 Train Car cards.
- Place the board in the center
- Shuffle Train Car cards and place 5 face-up
- Set aside Longest Route bonus card
On Your Turn
On each turn, you must perform exactly ONE of these three actions:
- Draw 2 Train Car cards
- Claim a route by playing matching Train Car cards
- Draw 3 new Destination Tickets (keep at least 1)
Claiming Routes
To claim a route, play Train Car cards matching the route's color and length. Place your trains on the claimed route.
- Gray routes can be claimed with any matching set of Train Car cards
- Locomotives (wild cards) can replace any color
- Double routes allow both to be claimed in 4-5 player games
Game End & Scoring
The game ends when any player has 2 or fewer trains left. Final scoring includes:
- Points already earned from claiming routes
- Completed Destination Tickets (+points)
- Incomplete Destination Tickets (-points)
- Longest Continuous Route bonus (10 points)
Strategy Tips
Start by focusing on shorter routes to quickly earn points and more cards
Pay attention to what routes your opponents might be targeting
Try to create a connected network rather than disconnected routes
Collect additional Destination Tickets if your initial routes connect well
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you can only perform one action per turn. Claiming a route uses your entire turn, regardless of the route's length.
If you select a face-up locomotive wild card, it counts as both of your draws for that turn. If you draw a locomotive as your first random card from the deck, you may still draw a second card.
Yes, you can look at your Destination Tickets at any time during the game. They are kept secret from other players until final scoring.
The Longest Route bonus is awarded to the player with the longest continuous path of routes. Routes must be connected and only count once (no loops). If multiple players tie, they all receive the 10-point bonus.
Game Resources
Award-Winning Excellence
Since its release in 2004, Ticket to Ride has received numerous prestigious awards and recognitions worldwide.
Spiel des Jahres
2004 Winner
Origins Award
Best Board Game 2004
Diana Jones Award
Excellence in Gaming 2005
2004
Game of the Year
Spiel des Jahres, Germany
2004
Best Board Game
Origins Awards, USA
2005
International Gamers Award
General Strategy: Multi-player
2006
Jeu de l'année
Game of the Year, Canada
2008
Juego del Año
Game of the Year, Spain
2010
Spiel des Jahres: "Decade Award"
Special Recognition for Lasting Impact
What the Critics Say
"One of the most accessible and enjoyable strategy games ever designed. It's no wonder Ticket to Ride continues to attract new players and enthusiasts nearly two decades after its initial release."
"The perfect gateway game. Simple enough for beginners but with enough strategy to keep experienced gamers engaged. A true modern classic that belongs in every family's game collection."
"Ticket to Ride has earned its place in board game history as one of the defining titles that helped bring strategic gaming to a mainstream audience. A masterpiece of elegant design."
"Ticket to Ride continues to be the gold standard for family strategy games. The perfect combination of accessibility, depth, and replayability that has inspired countless other designs."
Board Game Hall of Fame
Ticket to Ride was inducted into the prestigious Board Game Hall of Fame in 2018, cementing its legacy as one of the most influential games of all time.
Player Experiences
Discover what players around the world love about Ticket to Ride and join our growing community.
James Miller
Family Gamer
Ticket to Ride has become our family's go-to game night choice. My kids (ages 8 and 11) picked up the rules quickly, and even my non-gamer wife enjoys the strategic elements. We've now collected three different versions and play at least once a week!
Playing since: 2018
Sarah Lee
Strategy Enthusiast
As someone who plays more complex games, I was skeptical at first. But Ticket to Ride offers surprising depth while still being approachable. The Europe edition is my favorite with its tunnels and stations adding extra strategic elements. Perfect for introducing new players to the hobby!
Playing since: 2010
David Park
Teacher
I use Ticket to Ride in my classroom to teach geography, planning, and strategy. It's educational while being genuinely fun, and students don't even realize they're learning! The game has become so popular that we now have a Ticket to Ride club that meets weekly after school.
Playing since: 2015
Join Our Community
Connect with other Ticket to Ride fans, share strategies, participate in tournaments, and stay updated on new releases and expansions.
Online Forums
Join discussions with players worldwide
Local Events
Find and join game nights near you
Digital Version
Play online with friends anywhere
Get Your Copy
Start your railway adventure today with Ticket to Ride. Available in stores and online worldwide.
Ticket to Ride
The original game that started it all. Build train routes across North America in this award-winning board game.
Ticket to Ride: Europe
Travel across Europe with new gameplay elements like tunnels, ferries, and train stations.
Ticket to Ride: Digital
Play against AI or online opponents. Available on Steam, iOS, Android, and major consoles.
Where to Buy
Ultimate Collection Bundle
Get the original Ticket to Ride plus Europe and Nordic Countries editions at a special discounted price!
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Ticket to Ride.
The original Ticket to Ride board game accommodates 2-5 players. Some editions, like Nordic Countries, are designed for 2-3 players, while others may have different player counts. The digital version allows for solo play against AI opponents as well as multiplayer options.
Each edition of Ticket to Ride features a different map with unique routes and, in some cases, special rules:
- Original - Set in North America with straightforward gameplay
- Europe - Introduces stations, tunnels, and ferries
- Nordic Countries - Designed for 2-3 players with tighter routes
- Rails & Sails - Includes both train and ship routes
- London/New York/Amsterdam - Compact versions playable in 15 minutes
A standard game of Ticket to Ride takes approximately 30-60 minutes to play. The playtime can vary based on the number of players, their familiarity with the game, and which edition you're playing. The compact versions (London, New York, Amsterdam) are designed to be completed in about 15 minutes.
Yes! Ticket to Ride is recommended for ages 8 and up. The rules are simple enough for children to understand, while the strategy elements remain engaging for adults. It's an excellent family game that can be enjoyed across generations. For younger children, Ticket to Ride: First Journey is specifically designed for ages 6 and up with simplified rules.
It depends on the product. There are two types of Ticket to Ride products:
- Standalone Games: These include the original Ticket to Ride, Europe, Nordic Countries, etc. Each is a complete game with everything needed to play.
- Map Collections/Expansions: These require either the original Ticket to Ride or Ticket to Ride: Europe base game, as they typically include only a new map board and tickets.
The product description will always specify whether it's a standalone game or an expansion.
Yes! The digital version of Ticket to Ride supports online multiplayer across various platforms. You can play with friends regardless of whether they're on mobile devices, tablets, computers, or consoles. The game features cross-platform play, allowing you to invite friends and enjoy games together remotely.
The original Ticket to Ride (North America) is ideal for beginners due to its straightforward rules and balanced gameplay. It's the perfect introduction to the series.
For families with younger children (ages 6+), we recommend Ticket to Ride: First Journey, which offers a simplified version of the game designed specifically for kids while maintaining the core train route-building experience.
Yes, there are official Ticket to Ride tournaments held worldwide, including:
- The Ticket to Ride World Championship, held periodically in different locations
- National championships in various countries
- Online tournaments through the digital platforms
- Local tournaments at game stores and conventions
Visit our community section to find upcoming tournaments and how to qualify.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help! Reach out to our team for any questions that weren't answered above.