This article contains affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you’re going on a road trip or a long plane journey, then you really do need the best games for travel to pass the time while you’re in the car or in the air.
Traveling interstate or overseas can be very time-consuming, so you really need either family, adults’, or kids' games for traveling to keep everyone occupied. Unless you want to hear ‘are we there yet’ for the zillionth time!
What makes a good travel game, and what are the best travel board games, card games, and classics to invest in?
This post covers it all, whether you want a travel edition of your favorite family game, something aimed at adults or a game that will teach the kids a few things while they have a ton of fun.
🏆Best travel game for toddlers: Disney Eye Found It
🏆Best travel game for families: Monopoly To Go
🏆Best travel game for teens: Compact Catan
🏆Best travel game for couples: American Trivia
Whether you’re seeking traveling games for adults, toddler travel games or road trip games for couples, this guide will help you find the perfect mini-travel games for your next adventure.
👍ARE YOU TRAVEL OBSESSED? Join ‘Our Travel Obsession' Facebook group!
Best Games For Travel-Comparison Chart
| Name | Ages | Players | Key features | Check pricing & availability |
| Disney I Found It | 3 + | 2 – 6 | Disney theme, colorful cards, skill development | Check here |
| Monopoly To Go | 8 + | 2 – 4 | Compact, long-lasting, same as classic game | Check here |
| Compact Catan | 10 + | 3 – 4 | Locking drawers, travel theme, scaled-down size | Check here |
| American Trivia | 14 + | 2 + | 1,000 questions, learn facts, no small pieces | Check here |
| Travel chess | 6 + | 2 | Lightweight, smooth finish, folds up flat for travel | Check here |
| Rummikub Travel | 8 + | 2 – 4 | Easy to learn, strategic game, compact travel tin | Check here |
| Travel Scavenger Hunt | 7 + | 2 + | Develops observation, multi-sensory, long-lasting | Check here |
| Roll-up backgammon set | 14 + | 2 | Real leather, German design, pocket for pieces | Check here |
| Travel Cribbage | 8 + | 2 – 3 | Good storage section, solid wood, 3 can play | Check here |
| Yahtzee To Go | 8 + | 2 + | Lidded cup, full-size dice, simple instructions | Check here |
| Connect 4 | 6 + | 2 | Super cute, very compact, others available | Check here |
| Minecraft Magnetic Puzzle | 8 + | 1 | Ideal for fans, magnetic board, solo game | Check here |
Are you ready to dig in? Then fasten your seat belt and let’s take a closer look! Here are 13 of the most awesome airplane and car games for road trips and overseas travels.
Road Trip? When you’re done here, check these out:
Road Trip Prep You Need To Do Before Every Trip | Road Trip Snacks Everyone Will LOVE | Travel Gifts for Kids of All Ages
Best Traveler Games – An In-Depth Review
Travel Catan
Best for families ~ Ages 10+ ~ Number of players: 3-4
This special Catan travel edition is made for playing on the go. It’s one of the best games for traveling because the whole concept is built around settling in a new place and building a home from there on.
The board is hexagonal, with four storage drawers on board for all the pieces. Cards are more compact than usual and also come with their own travel storage case.
The drawers for the smaller pieces can be locked shut so they don’t stray when you’re on the move.
This is one of those ideal road trip games for families and is good when you have a fold-down table to play on while traveling by airplane, RV, or car. It’s simply a scaled-down version of the usual Catan game.
We’re obsessed with:
- Scaled-down version
- Travel-related theme
- Locking drawers for pieces
Not so hot:
- Not compatible with Catan expansions
Travel trivia
Best for teens ~ Ages 14+ ~ Number of players: 2+
Road trip trivia games can really help to pass the time as they keep everyone’s minds active. Our favorite for a long journey by car is American Trivia, a travel card game that contains 1,000 questions.
This game for two or more players is aimed at ages 14 plus, so it’s good for families with teens or couples.
There are five categories of trivia – History, Geography, Sports, Pop Culture and General.
Unlike other traveling games there are no small pieces to lose, just question cards and score charts. The question cards are dual-sided, which saves space.
Playing this game can sharpen cognitive skills and also teaches those taking part all about US sports, major landmarks, history, tourist attractions, geography, famous Americans and popular culture.
We’re obsessed with:
- No small pieces
- Learn all sorts of facts
- 1,000 questions included
Not so hot:
- For teens and adults only
Travel Monopoly
Best for teens ~ Ages 8+ ~ Number of players: 2-4
Don’t get mixed up between the Monopoly travel edition with a world tour theme and Monopoly Grab and Go for travel! The latter is the one you want – it’s a more compact and portable version of the classic.
If you want travel board games to pass the time they don’t come any better than this. With a dozen hotels plus 32 houses to add to the board, it’s likely to take some time before a winner is declared!
All the color-coded spaces you expect to see and the usual Community Chest and Chance cards are here.
The only difference between this and the bigger Monopoly vacation games you may play during the winter holidays is the size – and the fact that the playing tokens are made from plastic.
We’re obsessed with:
- All the features of the bigger game
- Game can pass a lot of time
- Favorite board game
Not so hot:
- Smaller size makes it a bit harder to see
Disney Eye Found It picture game
Best for toddlers ~ Ages 3+ ~ Number of players: 2-6
If you want travel toddler games for preschoolers and their siblings, this is one of the best around. It has a Disney theme, and comes from respected games brand Ravensburger. There is also a Marvel version if you prefer.
57 cards are supplied and these feature favorite characters from Disney movies such as The Lion King, Moana, 101 Dalmatians, Lilo & Stitch, Sleeping Beauty and more.
Clear instructions are provided and preschoolers can develop manual dexterity, hand to eye coordination and counting skills while playing.
The game involves exploring a dozen Disney worlds to discover the hidden treasures within places like Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood, Alice's Wonderland and Peter Pan's NeverLand.
If you’re en route to Disney World, you must buy this one!
We’re obsessed with:
- Wide-ranging Disney theme
- Colorful cards engage preschoolers
- Develops counting, coordination and dexterity skills
Not so hot:
- Short playing time of around 15 minutes only
Travel chess set
Best for couples ~ Ages 6+ ~ Number of players: 2
A magnetic travel chess set is one of the most sought-after games of all. The portable chess set featured is lighter in weight than a wooden magnetic chess set, and more compact than many of those too.
The set includes a magnetic chess board, which is perfect for traveling as the pieces won’t come off easily.
This pocket chess set is made from plastic, to make it more lightweight, and a smooth finish makes the pieces comfortable to hold.
Don’t expect any travel chess board to be too magnetic, as that would make it impossible to move the pieces! This is the best travel chess set available at Amazon right now.
It attracts high ratings and the size strikes just the right balance between portability and being player-friendly.
The portable chessboard folds up for storage and a travel pouch is also included.
We’re obsessed with:
- Ultra lightweight
- Super smooth finish
- Folding board with carry bag
Not so hot:
- Made from plastic
Best for kids ~ Ages 5 to 8 ~ Number of players: 2
Bingo for kids and adults is an easy and fun travel game for all the family.
One we like is the US License Plate Game by Melissa and Doug, a company renowned for its high-quality and long-lasting toys.
The fifty mainland states and their capitals are featured, and during gameplay, kids will learn to recognize each unique license plate.
This product can be used to play an I Spy game or to plot your road trip route. The pieces flip up, so as they’re attached they won’t roll around the car or get lost.
Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this twist on the classic bingo game develops social, critical thinking, and memory skills. Not that the kids will notice, as for them it’s simply a fun game!
We’re obsessed with:
- American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed
- Teaches 50 US state license plates
- Flip-up pieces
Not so hot:
- Heavier than some
Rummikub travel
Best for families ~ Ages 8+ ~ Number of players: 2-4
Rummikub is one of the most fun road trip games around and this version comes in a handy travel tin so you can keep it all together easily.
It’s a strategy game that’s simple to pick up, and suited to anyone aged from eight upwards.
As with rummy, each player places their numbered tiles in groups and runs when it’s their turn. This variant is smaller in size than the usual Rummikub game, and it’s one of the best travel games for adults and kids to play together.
It’s a classic game, simply more compact and portable than usual to make it ideal for traveling by car or airplane.
We’re obsessed with:
- Strategic game
- Simple to learn
- Travel tin stores it all
Not so hot:
- Tiles can slip off during play
Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
Best for kids ~ Ages 7+ ~ Number of players: 2+
If you want to play these car trip games, you can either hunt around for a road trip scavenger hunt printable or simply buy a ready-made game.
When you want the latter, the recommended pick is the Briarpatch Travel Scavenger Hunt card game.
If you want card games to keep them busy for hours, then buy this one! It can last the entire trip as kids need to look around for the objects listed while traveling.
There are 54 cards in all and things to look out for include cars of certain colors, road signs and license plates containing specific letters.
This game can also be a multi-sensory experience, as there are also amusing Hear It, Smell It and Feel It cards. For these, players need to listen for sounds, sniff for scents and feel for bumps.
We’re obsessed with:
- Multi-sensory cards
- Long loved ‘I Spy’ game
- Develops observational skills
Not so hot:
- May be long gaps between spotting items
Travel Backgammon set
Best for couples ~ Ages 14+ ~ Number of players: 2
How to improve on a travel board game? Make a roll-up version that’s so travel-friendly. Backgammon is one of those ideal games for adults and older kids, and this is one seriously covetable set.
The game is hand-sewn in Germany and made from genuine leather. It was designed to offer incredible, long-lasting quality and to be one of the very best games for travel available today.
A Seal of Approval from National Parenting has been given to this game and it weighs less than half a pound.
You can store all the pieces in the zippered pocket provided for this purpose and it rolls up to under the size of the smallest umbrella.
We’re obsessed with:
- German design
- Genuine leather
- Pocket for storage of pieces
Not so hot:
- Pieces may roll away during play
Travel Cribbage board
Best for teens ~ Ages 8+ ~ Number of players: 2-3
The Cribbage board we’ve chosen here is great because there’s onboard storage for all the cards and pieces. That makes it stand out from other Cribbage sets.
This is one of the best traveling games for two to three players aged eight or over.
The absorbing game combines luck and skill, so you never know who will end up in front. This set is made from solid wood with a smooth finish, so it feels and looks good.
Everything you need is stored in the hinged compartment, including all the pegs and cards.
The company behind this has even listened to customer feedback, and as a result, has enlarged the storage compartment to make it even more user-friendly.
We’re obsessed with:
- 2 or 3 players
- Smooth solid wood
- Good-sized storage compartment
Not so hot:
- Pegs may go astray
✔PRO TIP: Make sure you grab your free packing checklist! It has everything you'll need in an easy-to-use PDF checklist that you can use over & over!
Travel Yahtzee
Best for families ~ Ages 8+ ~ Number of players: 2+
Yahtzee To Go is the travel variant of the mega-selling game. The dice cup is supplied with a lid, so you can close this when playing in the car.
This is among the best road trip games because of the compact size, which means it barely adds any weight or bulk to your load.
There are five dice, a lidded cup and 100 score cards included with travel Yahtzee.
What’s nice is that printed instructions also come with it, and these are easy for kids to read, understand and follow by themselves. Ideal when they’re in the back and mom and dad are in the front.
The dice are the usual full size, so they’re easy to roll, even for kid-sized hands. It’s among the most fun travel games for every player, and once you've tried it, it’s obvious why this game is a classic.
We’re obsessed with:
- Lidded cup
- Full size dice
- Simple instructions supplied
Not so hot:
- Shaking dice in cup can be a bit noisy
Travel Connect 4
Best for kids ~ Ages 6+ ~ Number of players: 2
You can buy a Grab and Go version of Connect 4 like the Monopoly set listed above, or you can go for this super cute miniature version.
In fact you can buy these tiny ‘World’s Smallest’ games for travel as other options too, including Jenga, Pictionary, Scrabble and many more. (You can select these other little trip games when viewing the product listing at Amazon.)
A case contains all the counters and the grid that you need to play. You really can take these travel and car games anywhere, as they’re small enough to fit into the palm of your hand!
Whether Connect 4 is among your favorite games to play on a road trip or you just can’t resist super cute scaled-down stuff, this is such a fun item to carry, show off and play.
We’re obsessed with:
- Ultra compact
- Super adorable
- Other games available
Not so hot:
- Tiny pieces can get lost easily
Minecraft magnetic travel puzzle
Best for solo players ~ Ages 8+ ~ Number of players: 1
Sometimes the best magnetic games for travel are those you can play alone. This Minecraft game for ages eight and up is perfect for that.
Like other travel games that are magnetic, it’s also simple to keep track of all the pieces.
There are 40 challenges provided with this, so it’s like a number of travel magnetic games in one.
A top pick among games for car journeys for a solo player, and also of course for any fan of the construction computer and console game!
You get nine magnetic Minecraft pieces plus full instructions and the 40 challenges that vary in difficulty from starter to expert.
The fact that these travel games for the car fold out like a book also means you don’t need a table-top to play.
We’re obsessed with:
- Solo game
- Magnetic board
- Ideal for Minecraft fans
Not so hot:
- Younger kids may take longer to understand game
The Best Travel Games – What To Look For
Type
What type of game do you want to play? Are you thinking of board games for travel for two to four players, or printable road trip games to give to the kids?
There are card games, trivia quizzes, games of strategy, all-time classics, and challenges to complete.
A balance of various types of games is ideal. It’s not advised to take just one game when you have a long trip ahead of you with so many hours to fill. A selection of different types of games for traveling is best.
Adults or kids
Who’s playing? You might want to get your hands on travel games for a toddler, travel games for adults, teens, or kids, or those to play as a couple or family.
Number of players
Also, how many of you are likely to play at once? For you, the best board games for travel might be suitable for two players, or you might want a game that four can play at once.
Age range
Older kids & adults may get bored playing a game suited for younger players and little ones may not understand games intended for an older player.
We’ve included the age range and number of players at the top of each listing, to help you decide between the best travel board games, card games, and many others.
Motion
If you want car travel games, then think about how the game is likely to fare when you’re moving about. What happens at high speeds, or when you travel around a tight bend?
The best road trip games for adults and kids will be designed to cope with the motion of traveling by air or road! Magnetic travel games, for example, can be good for this, as the pieces stay put.
Packing
The size and weight will matter if the space is tight. Such as when traveling with a carry-on, or when the kids’ stuff has already filled up the entire trunk.
This is why the games included in this guide are travel-friendly, lightweight versions that don’t take up too much room.
Best Games For Travel for kids & adults FAQs
What are some road trip games?
You can buy games to play on long car rides that are card games, games based on I Spy, board games, games of strategy and more.
Some of the best board games travel are scaled-down versions of well-known games like Monopoly, Yahtzee, Connect 4 or Catan.
Classic games like backgammon, chess, cribbage and more are also available to play as car games on the road. The sets are often smaller, lighter in weight and more portable than the standard versions.
Can you play games on a plane?
For many simple games, it’s not a question of ‘can you bring games on a plane’ but whether or not it’s really practical to play on board.
In fact plane travel is often smoother than car travel – except when there’s a lot of turbulence en route.
As planes have fold-down tables, that provides you with the perfect playing surface for a small travel sized game. Just be aware of any parts that may be sharp or could be used as weapons, as they could be confiscated!
Can you bring video games on a plane?
Can you carry video games on a plane, and what about consoles? You can, and these can go in either carry-on or checked baggage.
If you take a console on board, though, do be aware that staff may need to take it apart as part of their security checks.
Get more information about taking full-sized game consoles through security HERE.
A small, hand-held gaming console plus some headphones (so you don’t disturb other passengers) is the most practical choice.
See specific Federal Aviation Administation rules regarding electronic devices on places HERE.
How do you travel with board games?
Board games are fun games to play while traveling. You can take them on a plane or in the car. You may need a stable surface such as a table or spare car seat to play.
Boxes may be opened by airport security staff as part of their checks before boarding a plane. For travel, it’s best to place the playing pieces into ziplock bags and use a strong cardboard box for the board.
A more compact and especially designed version, such as a travel Monopoly game, will be simpler to pack.
Can I bring card games on a plane?
You can. Travel card games can be carried in checked or carry-on bags. Do keep in mind, though, that packs containing the cards may be opened before clearing security.
What are the best travel games?
The best travel games are lightweight and portable. The top child, teen and adult travel games are any that will stop passengers from getting bored, basically, but the best ones are also easy to store and carry.
It makes sense to pick the most compact grown-ups' and kids’ travel games you can find.
That way you have space for more of them in the car or on the airplane, reducing the chance of everyone getting fed up long before reaching the destination!
Which airplane and road trip games will you play?
There are so many fun games for car rides and plane trips – this post really just gives you a starting point. From a travel card game for little ones to road trip games for two adults, there are plenty to pick from for sure.
Travel-size board games, magnetic checkers or chess, card games travel and more are all great options.
Our top tip is to take along a good mix of the best games for travel, so no one runs out of things to do before you get anywhere near your destination.
Until next time…
About The Author
My mission is to inspire and empower families to prioritize travel now, creating unforgettable memories and deeper connections with their loved ones.
I provide guidance and practical solutions to help busy parents integrate travel into their lives, fostering joy, fulfillment, and stress-free adventures. Don’t wait until it’s too late; the time to travel is now.
Learn more about me & My Travel Obsession here.
My Favorite Travel Booking Apps & Websites
⭐MY TRAVEL OBSESSION:
- Products & Services – My Travel Obsession's travel planning products, services, and freebies!
- What To Pack – See all of my personal favorite travel items.
- Travel Resources – Resources that I use most when planning, booking & traveling.
🏡FOR FINDING GREAT PLACES TO STAY:
- VRBO – My #1 recommendation for family-friendly lodging options.
- Expedia – My favorite for hotel bookings.
🚗FOR CAR & RV RENTALS:
- Discover Cars & Sixt – My favorite sites for rental cars worldwide.
- Turo.com – Rent a car from an individual owner – It's like VRBO for cars!
- RVShare – Rent an RV for your next family road trip!
🚁FOR ACTIVITIES, EXCURSIONS, & TOURS:
- Viator & Get Your Guide – The best sites to find and book activities & excursions.
- Gypsy Guide – An AWESOME audio tour app. ALWAYS check to see if they have a tour available.
🩺FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE:
- SafetyWing – The lowest-cost travel insurance out there. Several options starting as low as $42 for 4 weeks of coverage.
✈FOR FINDING GREAT FLIGHT DEALS:
- Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) – My #1 recommendation for saving big $$$ on flights. Sign up for a free 14-day trial.
🥾FOR HIKING:
- AllTrails – THE APP for hikers. I recommend paying for the pro version so you can use the navigation feature while hiking.
Once you're done here, head to the homepage to explore or jump to one of these categories: Texas Travel ~ US Travel ~ International Travel ~ Travel Tips & Tricks ~ Travel Gear & Gadgets ~ What To Pack ~ Travel Planning ~ Shop