# What are some good travel games to pack for a trip (apart from a deck of cards)? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 21, 2024, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574 "2024-04-21T06:33:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/21 "2024-04-21T16:34:41Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > There’s a word-guessing phone app that seems popular with teenagers (and maybe others, but I only know teens). You only need one phone for a group of any size. That sounds like “Heads Up,” which @ZipperJJ mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/22 "2024-04-21T17:16:58Z")
The card game Mille Bornes is fun. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/23 "2024-04-21T17:55:08Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Mille Bournes > [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > The card game Mille Bornes is fun. I played this with family as a teen. I forgot about it. I remember liking it a lot. I’ll definitely consider it. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/24 "2024-04-21T22:44:54Z")
Any number of amazing games out there, but a lot of them may make enemies out of loved ones. [Illuminati](https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jackson-Games-1305SJG-Illuminati/dp/1556343841) and [Munchkin](https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jackson-Games-SJG-1483/dp/B004U7JJWE/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1K356TNC2HZJ6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.O4F3jJtOc-sCy1c4_ALkNkNgiEhHK8Se6N_038ilYTmhCEhzwCvdiBv8eIlVbgdWRNs1zaurVVdPuVF6a6Bfsd1RJZqTwkMQMv70nx2Gotk635oan4-XA8Vyo0m2r_-WGBKl3OVGfao2etpqDwvVO16IjlHpQFRnqyxRFThGdXiO6lZhc5HCzxGzCPE8zdCGX8_OMx-G_t-4wfZ6-F4pn7lkI3xhFR5jEHBfg5kDxH3mwzee5btkXMm7bmy-_LaewDiLlDYW4P __ldu3SpU9Mcbh1OCfoP-Tc7zv9YAJwXI.gCFzjl1__ YeX6WX7-zErQvGeUe8xaf8v7gX0rxCxDvU&dib_tag=se&keywords=munchkin&qid=1713739387&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=munchkin%2Ctoys-and-games%2C113&sr=1-4&th=1) can be in this group. But they’re endlessly entertaining and don’t take up _too_ much space. [Fluxx](https://www.looneylabs.com/games/fluxx) is a lot less likely to have you stabbing each other later in the trip, and it has a lot of themed variants. Otherwise, you can play any number of cooperative games against an “enemy” that is automated, such as [Arkham Horror](https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/arkham-horror-the-card-game/). Note, that Fluxx is the smallest, about the size of a largish Uno Deck, with the others being smaller-scale board/semi-boarded games. So storage/luggage space could be an issue. I’d check your local gaming store and see how they’d fit your packing. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/25 "2024-04-22T03:37:12Z")
Bohnanza is a fun little game that is both competitive and cooperative. Every one is playing for their own win, but you will never win if you don’t negotiate trades with other players. Each game is relatively short as well. > **[Bohnanza](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/11/bohnanza)** > > Farm beans, harvest crops and trade your way to fortune in this card game classic. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/26 "2024-04-22T07:31:37Z")
Taboo! ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/27 "2024-04-22T15:34:43Z")
This post reminded me of Bananagrams, a word game with Scrabble-like letter tiles. The game is packaged in container shaped like a banana, although slightly larger, so it doesn’t take up a lot of room. However this game could have the same problem that @kaylasdad99 pointed out with my dominos suggestion, which is that the tiles could possibly get tossed around on rough seas. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/28 "2024-04-22T15:35:11Z")
A brewery we go to has a games shelf. Several times I’ve grabbed the card game **Drunk, Stoned, or Stupid** but we haven’t played it yet… ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/29 "2024-04-22T18:32:41Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > One Night Werewolf I second this, especially for larger groups. The kids (teens and up) would play this for hours and then talk about it the next day. As an adult it is fun for a few games at a time, but then I want to do something with less social negotiation. A light game I would recommend is [The Great Dalmuti](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/929/the-great-dalmuti). The rules are easy, but with some strategy. It is possible for people to drop in and out of for a single hand (in the same way that like Apples to Apples). We played this on vacation with our extended family and it was a big hit. Another recommendation is [Coup](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/131357/coup). There is a lot of player interaction and strategy. And the play changes as people develop and then learn each other’s strategies. Similar to Coup is [The Resistance](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41114/the-resistance). @ParallelLines mention Fluxx which was in our rotation. Another is [Love Letter](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/129622/love-letter) which is fun, but I get burned out on quickly. All of these games (except One Night Werewolf) are games that we’ll bring when we go out to eat. We’ll play a few hands before the food arrives; they’re portable and work in cramped spaces. I wouldn’t worry about bringing a lot of choices. I would try to find something that will ‘click’ and everyone will want to play the whole trip. Usually this means something new to the group. Playing cards are great for this because the group will naturally gravitate to that game. We’ve had trips where the kids learned Euchre at the airport and then we played it the rest of the time. Similarly for Hearts, Spades, Cambio, Golf, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/30 "2024-04-22T18:52:18Z")
[Othello / Reversi?](https://www.amazon.com/XQW-Othello-Original-Strategy-Magnetic/dp/B0BW85FXN5/ref=asc_df_B0BW85FXN5/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=673645068885&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9998148459764897190&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004004&hvtargid=pla-2199125164499&mcid=57a5c46242e8355aac79f48b59141fd8&th=1) We had a non-magnetic version [like this,](https://www.ebay.com/itm/196270827573?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=196270827573&targetid=2295557531710&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9004004&poi=&campaignid=19851828444&mkgroupid=160536780385&rlsatarget=pla-2295557531710&abcId=9307249&merchantid=6296724&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq4njqb7WhQMVOOYWBR3uMg3xEAQYByABEgLxIvD_BwE) which saw plenty of use. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/31 "2024-04-22T21:48:15Z")
I’ll bet that the ship library will have many games that are available to borrow. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/32 "2024-04-22T21:50:32Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Cribbage board +1 We have a little folding travel cribbage board that is roughly the size of a deck of playing cards. It’s our go-to for camping and light travel. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/33 "2024-04-22T23:58:07Z")
Go to a board game store (not someplace like Walmart or Target) and you’ll find a ton of games about the size of a deck of cards or at most a paperback. A number will be implementations of board games into a card or dice format. Also some very small board games like the Epic Tiny series, a bunch of stuff made by a company now called Let’s All Play (but started really as a board game furniture company), and lots more. The industry has come a long way from your choices being stuff like Uno or a travel version of a game. Plus you’ll get recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/34 "2024-04-28T04:43:27Z")
I would recommend [Chronology](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=chronology+game&crid=R83AAX1H0A7J&sprefix=chronology%2Caps%2C91&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_10) which is a party favorite amongst our crowd. If your family is interested, there’s a [Disney](https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Chronology-Game-Featuring-History/dp/B0CBVNPWFZ/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?crid=R83AAX1H0A7J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JqPFFau1KnpYbtctuPR-AfA3TA8Ntzl_Obbo9Q-pYyV08TXwIcLgleM8bfXHXfmQO6RRhSht52DuV_CVNCAMSDcWy9OZHa4xIqaXeZeRn_xJS6GxhLAvhiF1UX_nDgX0K4QMjAH4Q88DySWr5XAftoPpPGryR348lwPn559PmGs_rhqrFpwb8hNlZfS5goLp3nTIi8cDAloEhtbn3pMJfDgNRhsRwOyz61oeqlS-h5sezKfP8seZw47t8HjW1Ec5AorujKJYCTwGXD8MK0WokC6elCWtUY06XOEcnFn6o88.RmHjbTJwMT1rHqccSKmqHFKKX14oXfoTlaOSHi3HaFU&dib_tag=se&keywords=chronology+game&qid=1714279236&sprefix=chronology%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-14-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1) variant. I would also highly recommend [Tenzi](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ETAIHB6/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=63ae6267b7e58b5a7bdd09b2692e98c6&hsa_cr_id=7092398000001&qid=1714279359&sr=1-2-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_asin_1_title&pd_rd_w=T3v4L&content-id=amzn1.sym.417820b0-80f2-4084-adb3-fb612550f30b%3Aamzn1.sym.417820b0-80f2-4084-adb3-fb612550f30b&pf_rd_p=417820b0-80f2-4084-adb3-fb612550f30b&pf_rd_r=5R1NCPWKP7CWDV5EVN9N&pd_rd_wg=awIGe&pd_rd_r=9887e286-1fe1-46da-b42a-1a6d487d2244) and the accompanying game variants card pack. For when you’re tired of playing cards. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/35 "2024-04-28T05:02:21Z")
Tried to edit, too late: I would also bring 2 decks of cards since that allows for [progressive rummy](http://www.rummy-games.com/rules/progressive-rummy.html#google_vignette). ---
**Author:** ![Nyvaak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nyvaak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nyvaak)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/36 "2024-04-28T08:31:54Z")
Boggle ! If you need it smaller for packing, most of its volume is the top, which could be omitted. Just pack the base and the letter cubes in a sandwich bag. Then instead of shaking, take turns placing letters in the base with your eyes closed. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/37 "2024-04-28T08:44:29Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > AH can be hilarious with the right group, but it is _very_ vulgar and NC-17, and isn’t a game that most people would be comfortable playing with their kids, their in-laws, etc. I’m no prude, but I found CAH to be crass and unfunny - definitely not family-friendly, but also not particularly amusing. The mileage of others may vary, of course. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/38 "2024-04-29T22:37:01Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > I’m no prude, but I found CAH to be crass and unfunny - definitely not family-friendly, but also not particularly amusing. Yeah; my experience is that, even for adults, it’s hit-and-miss – either you find that sort of humor to be hilarious, or you absolutely don’t, and there’s not much in-between. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574/39 "2024-05-09T00:37:16Z")
Apples to Apples can result in much better “crude” innuendo than the rather forced CAH deck. It’s the unexpected that makes it funny. We add “Bubba” when we play A2A. Bubba is a fake player, that we first added with friends when we were only 4 people and works very well for our family of 3 too. Bubba just blindly plays a random answer from the hand he’s dealt. if he’s the guesser, Bubba takes our cards face down and picks the winner at random before we reveal any of the words/phrases. It makes it much harder to guess who played what card and to use that to influence the winner. Bubba comes very close to winning sometimes. We don’t quite remember why he’s named Bubba. We’ll often use an object (or house cat) to represent Bubba at the table, to add more silliness. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-travel-games-to-pack-for-a-trip-apart-from-a-deck-of-cards/1000574.md?page=1)