Board game guide
Ticket to Ride
Build the route before someone blocks it.
Ticket to Ride makes a large map feel instantly personal. Collect matching cards, claim the connections you need and try not to reveal your plan too early.
- Players
- 2–5
- Time
- 30–60 min
- Experience
- Beginner-friendly
- Track
- Final points
How to play
Give the table a clear rhythm.
Use this as a quick first-game guide, then keep the official rules close for edge cases and exact details.
Take your opening hand
Each player receives train cards, destination tickets and a set of coloured trains. Keep the tickets you choose secret.
Choose one action
On your turn, draw train cards, claim one route or draw more destination tickets. You cannot combine these actions in the same turn.
Collect matching colours
Build a hand that matches the route spaces on the board. Locomotives are wild and can stand in for any colour.
Claim a route
Play the required cards, place your trains on that connection and score its printed value immediately.
Finish the network
When a player has two or fewer trains left, everyone gets one final turn. Add completed tickets and bonuses; subtract unfinished tickets.
Before the first turn
Set up for a smooth start.
- Choose the map and use the rules written for that edition.
- Give every player one colour of trains and its scoring marker.
- Shuffle train cards and reveal the face-up market.
- Deal destination tickets and confirm how many each player must keep.
Make it a season
Turn every map into a standings table.
Record the final score and finishing position after each map. Change maps or opponents during the season while keeping one consistent points system.
Create your season- Result
- Final score + placement
- Season points
- 5 / 3 / 2 / 1
- Bonus
- 1 point for a table win
- Tiebreak
- Most completed tickets