The best travel games: Top 10 recommendations from an expert
Games and travel go hand in hand, whether it’s a pack of cards or apps dowloaded on your phone, most travellers carry their favourite games with them at all times. These games can be used to while away hours spent waiting for delayed flights and buses, to make new friends on ships and trains, in hostels, cafes and bars, and as a distraction when things are not going as expected.
After another enjoyable TableTop Cafe event here in Dubai, I was talking to the organiser, Matt Wilson, about his recommendations for travel games. Here are his top five physical and electronic (iPad) games that are suitable for travellers:
Physical games (Compact travel games that easily fit in your luggage)
1. Love Letter: 2-4 Players
A simple card game of risk, deduction, and luck that plays in 15-20 minutes.
2. Hive: 2 Players
A highly addictive strategic game that is similar to chess yet not restricted by a board. It can be played on any flat surface.
3. Avalon: 5-10 Players
A bluffing and deception game where you take on the role of a knight of King Arthur, tasked to complete quests, but the minions of Mordid have infiltrated your ranks and try to sabotage your missions…
4. Coup: 2-6 Players
A bluffing and deception game where you aim to be the last player with influencer in the game (influence being represented by face-down character cards in your playing area).
5. Boss Monster: 2-4 Players
The cute card game is based on classic 8bit video game side scrollers. Become the boss monster and build your dungeon to lure and defeat would-be adventurers.
Electronic (Boardgames that are available on iPad/Android tablet that you can pass-to-play with only one device needed)
Ticket To Ride: 1-5 Players (iPad & Android)
With elegantly simple gameplay, Ticket to Ride can be learned in under 15 minutes, while providing players with intense strategic and tactical decisions every turn.
Settlers of Catan: 1-4 Players (iPad & Android)
In Settlers of Catan, players try to be the dominant force on the island of Catan by building settlements, cities and roads and trading goods with fellow players.
Talisman: 1-4 Players (iPad & Android)
A classic board game of adventure and heroic battles as you explore the world and attempt to be the first to control the Crown of Command.
Pandemic: 2-4 Players (Only iPad)
Work together as a team to attempt to save the world from fast-spreading diseases, stem the outbreaks and control the spread.
Carcassonne: 1-5 Players (iPad & Android)
An elegant and simple tile-laying game where you build cities, roads and monasteries and score points based on the size of each.
