8+
Age
30-60 [min]
Time to Play
2-5
Players
2005
Created
Engaging, tactical and strategic game mechanics combined with relatively simple rules and high re-playability is what makes Ticket to Ride a board game that appeals to a wide range of players and is loved by families, casual gamers and even many "heavy" gamers.
What is in the Box?
Game Components:
Available Train Cards:
Available Destination Cards:
Who is the Game for?
Who Should Play?
Ticket to Ride is a versatile game that is both challenging and fun for both beginners and experienced gamers. A wide variety of players appreciate it:
Families
Players who love strategy games
Players who enjoy social interaction
Multi age player groups
Players who are interested in geography
Who Should Not Play?
Although Ticket to Ride is a popular board game that appeals to a broad spectrum of players, there will always be people who will enjoy it less:
Players who don't like strategy games
Players who prefer very complex games ("Heavy" games)
Young kids
Players who don't like direct competition
People with a short attention spam
How to Play?
The objective of the game is to get the most points while managing resources and connecting different locations on the map by building train routes.
How to get Points?
1. Claiming Routes.
2. Completing Destination Task.
Once you complete a path connecting the two locations stated on a destination card, you get as much points as shown on its right bottom corner of that card.
(However, not completing a destination task by the end of the game will cause a deduction of points in the same amount stated on the card).
3. Making the longest continuous path on the board.
The players with the longest connected path on the board at the end of the game score an additional 10 points.
4. Each train station that was not used during the game gives the player 4 extra points.
Down Time
Down time refers to the time each player spends waiting for his turn. In Ticket to Ride games, the amount of players mainly affected the downtime at the table and their familiarity with the game. More players mean more down time. However, if all the players know how to play, the turns can go relatively fast. Since the game requires analyzing different options on the map and planning which routes to claim and which cards to collect, the time between turns is can be actually helpful.
Game Mechanics
Set Collection:
Collecting sets of train cards in the same colors that will later be used to claim routes on the map.
Hand Management:
As the next step to set collection, the player needs to balance between the desire to take new cards (and decide which ones to take) and using the collected sets to claim alternative routes.
Area Control:
Once a route on the map is claimed, it belongs to the player who claimed it. That may make it difficult for other players to complete their destination tasks.
Route Building:
Getting points by claiming routes, placing train tracks and connecting different destinations on the map.
Hidden Objectives:
The destination cards each player receives and decides to keep are secret. So the players don't know at the start of the game which routes will the other players need to complete their destination tasks.
Educational Content
Planning and Strategy
Since Ticket to Ride is mainly a strategy game, there are a lot of things to take in mind and consider while playing the game.
Pattern Recognition
While playing the game, a player is busy arranging train cards with colors and collecting sets that can be used to complete tasks. That may help develop pattern recognition, which is necessary for many life aspects, including driving and problem solving.
Resource Managment
As the next step to set collection, the player needs to balance between the desire to take new cards (and decide which ones to take) and using the collected sets to claim alternative routes.
Risk Managment
Dealing with risk and evaluating the probability of different situations is part of playing the Ticket to Ride game:
1. There is always a risk that the opponent may claim a route that you need.
2. There is a chance that you will not complete the taken destination cards and get negative points.
3. When claiming tunnels, there is a risk of not being able to complete the claim.
All those contribute to the skill of calculating probabilities and help in decision making.
Geography Information
The game takes place on a Europe map before the first world war (Other versions of Ticket to Ride use maps of other countries and continents). Since the whole objective of the game is building routes between different locations on the map, it will inevitably increase geographical familiarity of the player and may provide inspiration to do some farther research about different locations. But since it is a historic map, some current countries do not appear on the map and the way the names of the cities are spelled match the way those were pronounced in the language of the country those cities were in at that time. For one looking for a game with a high focus on geography, there are better choices.
Trekking the World
If you like Ticket to Ride but are looking for a game with more focus on geography, then this is the best choice. This is a wonderful strategy-adventure game in which the players travel between different destinations on a world map and collect different accessories, which in the end score them victory points.
The World Game
Simple geography game that comes with a world map and 198 country cards that include facts about neighboring countries, country population, the area it takes and the height of the highest point. This is a light (not strategic) game where players compete between them based on the different facts stated on the country cards.
Continent Race
A game with a large world map, and many cards with flags of of different countries. The goal of the game is to collect sets of country card for different continents. The game is based mostly on luck (not strategy), but is a great game to learn the names and flags of different countries as well as where those are located on the map.
Brain Benefits
While Ticket to Ride was not specifically designed as a brain training game, playing it may stimulate various cognitive processes and engage different brain areas associated with strategic thinking, memory, attention, spatial reasoning, and executive functions.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is analyzing the situation and making decisions based on that analysis. That is what the Ticket to Ride game is all about. At each step of the game, the player should evaluate the available routes on the map, the new available train cards and their own hand and make a strategic decision about the next step in the game. Developing critical thinking is crucial for effective communication, problem solving, decision making and personal growth overall.
Spatial Reasoning
Spatial reasoning refers to the cognitive ability to understand and visualize objects and their positions in space. As well as manipulate the relationships between them.
In this game, players need to plan the routes they will later claim according to the visual information provided on the map. Spatial reasoning helps players evaluate different route options, available paths, distance between the different locations and then decide what are the best paths for them.
Flexibility & Adaptability
As the game progresses, the opponents may claim routes the player was planning to take control of. Adapting to a new situation, finding alternative routes and changing strategies is a great way to practice adaptability and flexibility. These skills enable individuals to confidently navigate through uncertainty, leverage opportunities and thrive in a continuously changing world.
Attention & Focus
Ability to concentrate and stay focused are crucial skills for academic and professional growth, productivity, communication and overall well-being. During the game, the players should constantly maintain focus on the available cards, their own hand as well as the opponents' moves. Maintaining concentration throughout the game may help enhance cognitive abilities related to focus and task management.
Memory
During the game, the players need to remember the routes they plan to claim based on the cards they are collecting. Memory is involved in this game. However, this is not a primarily a memory game.
Gameplay of Ticket to Ride engages various executive functions, such as planning, organization, cognitive flexibility, attention, and memory. These functions involve activation of multiple brain areas, including the prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, and basal ganglia.
Size & Quality
Box Size: Will Ticket to Ride Europe Box fit in a Kallax cubicle?
The size of Ticket to Ride: Europe game box is 30 cm in width, 30 cm in height and ~ 8 cm in depth. [11.75" x 11.75" x 3"]. It will easily fit in a kallax cubicle that is often used to store board games. If you place the box on the side , 4 boxes of this size can fit the kallax cubicle. You can fit 5 of those if you decide to place the board games facing forward.
Board Size & Function
The board is made of thick, sturdy cardboard with clear and detailed artwork. The dimension of an unfolded Ticket to Ride: Europe board are: 79 cm [31"] in length and 52.5 cm [21"] in width. When folded, the dimensions are: 26.5 cm x 26.5 cm [10.5"x10.5"].
Overall, the components are well made and are visually appealing.
Cards
The cards are made of durable cardstock.
Trains and Train Stations
Thick plastic in different colors.
Scoring Markers
Made of wood in different colors.
Expansions
Europa 1912 Expansion
2009
How it Expands Ticket to Ride: Europe ?
The total amount of destination cards in the expansion is 101 (46 same cards as in the base Ticket to Ride: Europe game and 55 new destination cards).
Ticket to Ride Nederland Board Game EXPANSION
2013
Notable Differences from Ticket to Ride: Europe
Ticket to Ride Asia Board Game EXPANSION
2011
Notable Differences from Ticket to Ride: Europe
Ticket to Ride France + Old West
2017
Notable Differences from Ticket to Ride: Europe
Ticket to Ride The Heart of Africa
2012
Notable Differences from Ticket to Ride: Europe
Ticket to Ride Japan & Italy
2019
Ticket to Ride United Kingdom
2015
Notable Differences from Ticket to Ride: Europe
Ticket to Ride Poland
2019
Notable Differences from Ticket to Ride: Europe
Other Versions
Ticket to Ride: Europe is the second game published in the Ticket to Ride game series. The first game was published a year earlier (2004) and takes place on the United States Map. Many other Ticket to Ride games with different maps and few alterations have been published since then.
Ticket to Ride
Notable Differences from Ticket to Ride: Europe
City Games:
Ticket to Ride New York
2018
Notable Differences from Ticket to Ride: Europe
Ticket to Ride Rails & Sails
2016
Notable Differences from Ticket to Ride: Europe
Kids Versions:
Ticket to Ride First Journey
2016
Notable Differences from Ticket to Ride: Europe
Is Ticket to Ride Europe easy to learn?
Ticket to Ride is known for its relatively simple and intuitive rules, making it fairly easy to teach to others. The game can be enjoyed by heavy gamers and first time players minutes after the rules are explained. The rules are straightforward; the goals are clearly defined and there are no heavy game mechanics that can overwhelm first time players. While there may be a learning curve to master the game, there is no learning curve to start enjoying it.
Is Ticket to Ride: Europe Accessible for Color Blind Players?
The game is designed with color-blind people in mind. Although colors play a significant role in the gameplay, distinct symbols and icons are also used to differentiate between train cards and routes.
Is Ticket to Ride: Europe Good for 2 People?
The game can be enjoyable with just two players. When there are just 2 players, the game usually moves faster and there is more control over the board, which gives more room for strategic long term planning.
How Re-playable is Ticket to Ride: Europe?
Even without using any expansions, Ticket to Ride: Europe is a highly repayable game. The randomness to the gameplay is added by the different destination cards each player gets at the start, different train cards drawn on each turn and different engagement on the board itself. The win in the game can be achieved by playing different strategies.
Getting expansions will add even more to a re-playability value since more destination tasks are introduced, most of the expansions include new maps to explore and each of them comes with a few rule alterations which make the game feel fresh and exciting time after time.
What are the Best Strategies to Win Ticket to Ride: Europe
Players can use various strategies to increase their chances of winning Ticket to Ride: Europe:
Pros & Cons Summary
Pros
Cons
Price Vs. Value
Ticket to Ride Europe offers good value for its price. The gameplay experience is great and leaves a player with a desire to play it again and again. The rules are relatively simple, yet the game is engaging with a substantial amount of depth. Heating that best depth to rule simplicity ratio. It is not too long or too short. All the components are of good quality. The game flow works for 2 players and it scales well for 5 players, making the game a bit more intense.
ENGAGEMENT
DEPTH
REPLAYABILITY
Rule Simplicity
Quality
