Ticket to Ride review

Ticket to Ride is our top board game for families and groups because it pairs short rules with real decisions and seats up to five people from age 8. On each turn you either draw train cards, claim a route between two US cities, or take new destination tickets that score bonus points if you connect both cities by the end. GameNerdz lists the game at 30 to 60 minutes and says it has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. The refreshed edition, designed by Alan R. Moon and published by Days of Wonder, adds new art, an improved rulebook, larger cards and three extra tickets for 33 in total, and players now draw four tickets and keep two. It still works with every existing expansion. The list price is $49.99 and GameNerdz had it at $39.99 when we checked. The downsides are a five-player limit and the sting of a blocked route, which can upset younger players.

Who it is for

Families with kids 8 and up who want one game everyone learns fast

Price

$49.99 list price; $39.99 at GameNerdz when checked.

Compatible with all existing expansions $39.99 $49.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• 2 to 5 players, ages 8 and up, 30 to 60 minutes per game
• Players collect train cards and claim routes between American cities
• Refresh edition adds new art, an improved rulebook and larger train and ticket cards
• 33 destination tickets, 3 more than before; players draw 4 and keep 2
• Compatible with all existing Ticket to Ride expansions

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: GameNerdz says the game has sold over 20 million copies worldwide
• Strength: Seats up to 5 players with a minimum age of 8
• Strength: $39.99 at GameNerdz when checked, against a $49.99 list price
• Weakness: Five players is the ceiling, so bigger groups need a party game like Codenames
• Weakness: Players compete for the same routes, which can frustrate younger children
• Weakness: Map is the United States only; Europe is a separate $49.99 list-price box

Key facts

• Publisher: Days of Wonder
• Designer: Alan R. Moon
• Players: 2 to 5
• Play time: 30 to 60 minutes
• Age: 8+
• Price: $49.99 list, $39.99 at GameNerdz

Where it ranks

Ticket to Ride is No. 1 in our Best Board Games verdict.