Ticket to Ride Board Game Review: Worth It?

Ticket to Ride Board Game Review: Worth It?

In this article, I’m sharing my honest Ticket to Ride board game review for those wondering if this best-selling game is still worth adding to your collection in 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or brand new to the world of tabletop adventures, this classic train-building game has earned a reputation for being simple to learn, fun to play, and surprisingly strategic.

I first played Ticket to Ride at a board game café with my dad, and we were instantly hooked. We’ve since added it to our home collection, and I’ve tried a few versions, including New York and Europe. It’s a game that feels fresh each time — and it's perfect for those of us looking to spend more time connecting in person and less time staring at screens.

Let’s break down whether it’s still a great pick in today’s stacked board game scene.  While not played daily it comes out often enough in the mini version that the full version has become an addition to our game cabinet as well now.

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Ticket to Ride - Europe Version on Amazon

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Should You Buy Ticket to Ride?

Buy if:

• You want a family-friendly game that’s easy to teach and hard to outgrow.

• You're looking for a screen-free activity that works for both casual nights and game-heavy weekends.

• You love strategy-lite games that are satisfying without taking all evening.

• You want something that sparks great conversations and low-stress competition.

Don’t Buy if:

• You only play heavy strategy games like Twilight Imperium or Brass: Birmingham.

• You’re not a fan of luck-based card draws or being blocked on the board.

• You dislike games with limited direct interaction — it’s more “race to complete your goals” than sabotage central.

Ticket to Ride Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Easy to learn, but still strategic

• Excellent replayability (especially with expansions and new maps)

• Great for 2–5 players and works well across all age groups (some versions only allow 2-4 players so make sure to check the one you're interested in).

• Sparks fun geography conversations and light travel dreaming

• Beautifully made with quality components

• Many many versions available that have a very similar playing basis making learning a new one easy for some extra variety

Cons:

• Can feel repetitive if overplayed without expansion maps

• Blocking can be frustrating (especially for younger players)

• Limited player interaction may not appeal to ultra-competitive gamers

Ticket to Ride Price

At the time of writing, Ticket to Ride is available for around $70 CAD on Amazon, with occasional discounts.

If you're on a budget or just getting started, the Ticket to Ride: New York or London editions are excellent entry-level versions at a lower price point — quicker to play but still packed with charm.

Order Ticket to Ride on Amazon:

Ticket to Ride  New York Version  Rails & Sails Version

Europe Version    Paris Version       Express - London   

Disclosure: These are affiliate links — they help support Dicey Moves at no extra cost to you.

Ticket to Ride Gameplay: 4.5 / 5

Ticket to Ride strikes that rare balance: it’s fast to learn but stays interesting over time.

Each player draws destination tickets (secret city-to-city goals), then takes turns collecting coloured train cards and claiming routes on the board. You get points for completing your tickets — and a big bonus if you build the longest continuous route.

The catch? Once someone takes a route, it's blocked — meaning your perfectly planned route across the Rockies could hit a hard wall when your sibling builds right where you were headed. Cue dramatic sighs and backup plans.

That light tension, paired with short turns and an ever-tightening board, keeps players engaged without being overwhelming.

Design & Components: 4.5 / 5

The quality of Ticket to Ride is top-tier. The train pieces feel satisfying to place, the map art is colorful and inviting, and the cards are sturdy with charming illustrations. Every version I’ve played has the same great production value.

Bonus: it’s a sneaky way to brush up on geography. Whether you’re learning the layout of Europe or getting familiar with East Coast cities, it’s a fun little brain jog.

Player Interaction: 3.5 / 5

Interaction in Ticket to Ride is mostly indirect — you're all racing for routes, but you're not actively stealing from or sabotaging each other. Still, it can get spicy when two players want the same path and only one of you gets it.

You won’t be forming alliances or shouting betrayal like in social deduction games, but there’s plenty of playful tension and opportunity for clever planning.

Ticket to Ride Replayability: 4.5 / 5

With dozens of map expansions and themed variants, Ticket to Ride stays fresh. Some expansions even add new mechanics (like tunnels or ferries in Europe), while others shorten the game for quicker sessions.

If you fall in love with the base game, the rest of the Ticket to Ride universe is waiting — and it’s a great rabbit hole to fall into.

Is Ticket to Ride Still Worth It?

Absolutely. Ticket to Ride remains one of the best “gateway” board games on the market. It’s fun, educational, beautiful, and incredibly easy to introduce to new players.

Whether you're hosting family game night, reconnecting with friends, or just want to build a tiny cardboard empire across North America, this game delivers.

While not my absolute favourite it's a staple in my collection for a reason — and after one play, I think you'll see why.

Value: 4.5 / 5

Scoring Breakdown

Gameplay: 4.5 / 5
Design & Components: 4.5 / 5
Player Interaction: 3.5 / 5
Replayability: 4.5 / 5
Value: 4.5 / 5
Total: 21.5 / 25

Our Rating: 8.6 / 10

Order Ticket to Ride Games on Amazon Now:

Ticket To ride  Rails & Sails  India + Switzerland  

Express - Amsterdam  Express - Berlin

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age is Ticket to Ride best for?

The base game is recommended for ages 8 and up, but younger kids can absolutely join in with a little help. It’s ideal for mixed-age family nights.

Is Ticket to Ride hard to learn?

Not at all! Most new players are up and running after just a few turns. It’s a very smooth learning curve, which makes it great for introducing people to board gaming.

Which version of Ticket to Ride is best?

The original North America map is a great starting point. Europe adds a few more mechanics for extra depth. New York and London are fun, quicker variants — perfect for travel or tighter schedules.

Can you play Ticket to Ride with 2 players?

Yes, and it works surprisingly well! The map scales nicely depending on player count. That said, the sweet spot for tension and fun is usually 3–5 players.

How We Tested and Why You Can Trust This Review

Dicey Moves is an independent website dedicated to helping you find fun, screen-free games that bring people together. We purchase and play every game we review, and we don’t accept payment from manufacturers for positive coverage. Reviews are based on real gameplay and real experiences with family and friends.