Ticket to Ride

Reviews of Ticket to Ride

1.) A step above the run of the mill games
Reviewed by: Jadecat Lake Orion, MI United States
Rating:
This is an excellent game for 2-5 players, and especially for kids. I was initially put off by the theme and the mentioning of winning the $1 million dollar prize on the advertisement. I immediately thought there would be paper money involved and it would be like Monopoly where I would have to be a banker,,,and yech. But no, I was WRONG. There is no fake money involved! Just little cards with different colors. Easy, but challenging. It is a game where you can be nice and not mess with your opponents supposed destination, or you can try and block them. You get points according to the tracks you lay and connections you make.
But please, I love Amazon, but their Days of Wonder games are all overpriced. You can get this and their other games much cheaper on designated game sites. Do a search, read other reviews, boardgamegeek is a wonderful place to look and compare games. This was one of the first games I bought and I just keep finding more neat games to buy that you can't find here.

2.) Fun for beginners and gamers, kids and grownups
Reviewed by: E. M. Rivera San Juan, PR
Rating:
Every year I buy my daughter at least three board games: one for Christmas, one for Three Kings Day and one for her birthday. It has become a tradition we both enjoy. I purchased TTR after reading excellent recommendations from other gamer parents on Boardgamegeek. I was not disappointed.

The game components are well made and beautiful, and the box is designed to store them well. This is very important, as the game has lots of pieces: cards, colorful plastic trains and wooden marker tokens.

Each turn lets you make decisions, play is never merely mechanical. Each time you play you will be able to choose one of three different actions: claim a train route, collect train cards or gather destination tickets. Each of those actions implies further decisions: Do you take a red train or a blue train? The short Duluth or Phoenix? Risk the big payoff tickets or keep only the safer, smaller points destinations?

The instructions are simple enough for non-gamers and children, but game play is engaging for all levels of play. The game accommodates both laid back and cutthroat gaming styles.

If your family games you should add this to your collection. If you are new to gaming and need a place to start, this is a fine first buy.


3.) One of the best games - ever!
Reviewed by: Tom Vasel Uijongbu, South Korea
Rating:
When I first heard about Days of Wonder's newest game, Ticket to Ride (Days of Wonder, 2004 - Alan Moon), I was excited. But how could I not be - for all of Days of Wonders games so far have been fabulous, and it seems that each successive game gets better and better. And Alan Moon with a train game (shades of Union Pacific) sounded like a winning combination. I had an opportunity to play the final version of the game, and was quite impressed with how the game looked.

And is the game any good? The short answer is that once you play this game, you'll never play TransAmerica again. It's a fantastic medium-weight game - one that plays equally well with two to five players. The components are superb, the artwork is great, the game is downright fun (and nasty sometimes), and the total package is a very strong contender for the Spiel des Jahres 2004. (which it won!) After my first playing, I ranked it an 8; but after multiple playings the rating moved up to a 9, then a 9.5 - and if I keep playing the game at this rate - may move into my top ten list. Game play is very tight, and I found that game scores can run very close - making for an exciting game, all the way down to the finish.

Each player receives forty-five train cars in one color, and places a matching round token of that color on a scoring track. A large board is placed in the middle of the table, with a map of America (circa late 1800's) superimposed upon it. Thirty-six cities are there, each connected by one or two "railroad lines". These lines are made up of one to six spaces, and are one of eight colors: purple, yellow, black, white, green, red, blue, brown, and gray (neutral color). A deck of "tickets" is shuffled, and three are dealt to each player. Players may discard one of them, but must keep at least two of them. Each ticket has two cities on them, and a point value that a player will receive if they connect those two cities, or lose if they don't connect the cities. The remainder of the ticket cards are shuffled and placed in a face down pile next to the board. A pile of train cards is shuffled, and four are dealt to each player. The remainder are shuffled and placed next to the board, then five of them are turned over and placed face-up next to the draw pile. The player who has traveled the most goes first, and then play continues clockwise around the table.

On a turn, a player may do one of three things. They may draw two cards, one at a time from either the face-up cards and/or the draw pile. Each card shows a different color of train car - matching the eight different colored spaces on the board. There is twelve of each color car in the deck. There are also eighteen "locomotive" cards, which function as wild cards. When a player draws a face-up card, the card is replaced immediately before they draw another card. A locomotive card counts as two cards if drawn when face-up, but only one if drawn when face-down. If there are ever three locomotive cards face-up at any time, all five cards are immediately discarded, and five new cards are drawn. If the cards run out, the discard pile is shuffled back to form a new draw deck.

The second thing a player may do is to draw three ticket cards. They must keep at least one of them, but have the option of keeping all of them, if they like. The others (if any), are discarded.
The third thing a player may do is play cards to place their train cars on the board. A player may play one through six cards of the same color (including wild cards), to place the same amount of train cards on a corresponding line on the board. For example, Las Vegas is connected to Salt Lake City by an orange line consisting of three spaces. Three orange cards must be played to put three trains of that player's color on those spaces. No more players could then place anything between those two cities, and if players want to connect those two cities with their lines, they'll have to go around the long way (if possible). Gray lines can have any color cards played to place trains on them, but the cards played must match the number of spaces in the gray line, and all of the cards must be the same color. When placing trains, the player doing so receives points - 1 point for one train placed, 2 points for two trains, 4 points for three trains, 7 points for four, 10 points for five, and 15 points for six trains. Some cities have two lines connecting them, both of which can be used in a four or five-player game. In a two or three-player game, however, once one of these lines has been used, the other cannot.

When one player, after taking their turn, is down to two train cars or less, the final round begins. Starting with the player to their left, each player has one final turn, and then the game is over. The trains on the board are counted to make sure that the points were totaled correctly during the game, and then ticket cards are revealed. If players can trace a continuous path between the two cities on their card with their color train cars only, they receive the points, and move their tokens accordingly. Otherwise, they lose the points, and must move their token down the scoring track that many points. The player who has the longest continuous track also gets ten points. The player with the most points is the winner!

Some comments on the game...

1.) Components: As usual, the components for Ticket to Ride are supreme. Days of Wonder has, by far, more superior components for their games than any other company. The board is fantastic, with a nice map, and when the train cars - nice plastic cars in bright colors - are placed on it, the whole thing looks pretty fantastic! The cards are of the highest quality, and are about half the size of normal playing cards. Each color card not only has a different train car on it, but they have symbols in the corners to help differentiate between the colors (good for the color blind). Everything fits into a wonderful plastic insert that is in a beautiful, sturdy box - the same size as Days of Wonder's other Big Box Games.

2.) Rules: The rules are only four pages - large, colorful, illustrated pages - but only four! The game is being printed in many languages - and has the distinction of being the first major game release that I know of that has been produced in Korea, something which is rather dear to my heart. The game can be explained in about 5 minutes, and I am very pleased at how easy it is for people to pick up. Even people who have a hard time understanding simple games ("No, John, you cannot attack people in Settlers of Catan!") had an easy time picking up the game - and I was amazed at how fast strategies were picked up.

3.) Strategy: When I first was taught the game by Eric Hautemont, CEO of Days of Wonder, I didn't think that strategy would be that important. Then, he beat us, scoring 162 points to my 82, and my friends 54. I was floored! I thought that I was doing well, during the game, but realized several things that I missed afterwards. I found out in the game that there are different strategies, and was impressed with how they differed. One can ignore their ticket cards and just try to place long trains, hoping to get a lot of points. Or one can try to complete as many ticket cards as possible, not worrying too much about how long of trains they place on the board. Then, there is the middle ground - but is a compromise of the two strategies enough to win? Not to mention the fact that players must watch other players, and occasionally place trains to mess them up.

4.) Cutthroat: This gives the game a real "cut throat" atmosphere. Sometimes the best move for a player is to place train cars between cities they don't care that much about - just to stop another player - either from getting the longest chain of cars, or completing their tickets. This can cause some enmity, but it's all in good fun, and I really enjoyed the player interaction - from taking cards to placing trains.

5.) Holding cards: It's fun to get a big hand of cards (there is no upper limit). Players try to hoard cards so that they can place long trains of cars, scoring the big points. Also, players must always keep in mind that everyone else is watching them, trying to determine where they are going. The longer a player keeps the cards in their hand, the less they tip their hand. However, if one player suddenly uses up all their trains, causing the final round, and you are stuck with a huge hand of cards, it can be quite devastating. My wife found this out the hard way. She was about to connect three cities that would complete two of her tickets - probably winning the game. Another friend of mine, in the same game, had the same problem. Either one of them could have won the game, but because they held the cards just one turn to long - they lost. Of course, I was the evil guy who caused the game to end, but I got my just desserts, losing by only one point to yet another player - and the winning point was caused by her having the longest continuous train of cars.

6.) Fun Factor: And yet, even with the bluffing, and the other little nasty tactics, the game is extremely fun. The decisions are short, causing the game to move quickly, but can be quite stressful at times. Yet these decisions really make the game fun! Blocking someone else off, using your own lines, pulling two locomotives from the draw pile, or finally connecting those two cities - all of this adds up to a wonderful time of fun!

7.) Time and Players: The game runs quickly, because the decisions are important, but don't bog the game down to much. I was impressed with how well the game scaled, but found that the two-player game was much different than a five-player one. Both were fun, but needed different tactics.

As you can see, I really enjoyed this game. I think it has strong possibilities of being one of the best games of the year. Alan Moon has always been one of my favorite designers, and this is one of his best games in years. Days of Wonder has put a lot of time and effort into producing this game, and it shows. When I first played TransAmerica, I thought that it was a boring game -what was the point, and where was the strategy? Fortunately, the strategy and fun in this game are wonderful. I don't need a "dumbed-down" game to introduce new folks to the wonderful world of board games. I can just use games like this - tremendous, fun games, filled with tactical choices and enjoyable times.

Tom Vasel

4.) Outstanding strategy game that's easy to learn, tough to master
Reviewed by: Daniel L Edelen Mt. Orab, OH USA
Rating:
After noting that Ticket to Ride continues to be one of the highest-rated board games at numerous board gamer sites, we bought a copy.

The board gamers are right. This German-made game beats familiar games like Monopoly and Risk hands-down.

OBJECT

Each player must complete a series of rail lines spanning cities based upon destination cards drawn at the beginning (and throughout) the game. Each destination carries points related to the length of the line, so a New York to Los Angeles line would score more points than Chicago to Boston. Incomplete destinations count against players at the end of the game, so completing them, even through circuitous routes is a must. The exciting part of the game comes from not knowing who is completing his or her lines, plus the ability to overlap lines, stymieing other players.

Game play takes between 30 and 90 minutes depending on the number of players and the speed at which they make decisions.

GAME PIECES

High quality throughout, the game includes:
- A fold-out board of the United States and southern Canada, plus a scoring track around the edge. The cities on the board connect through colored track lines, each line between one and six units in length.
- A set of destination cards showing lines that must be completed.
- Five sets of forty-five train pieces. Each player takes one same-color set of trains.
- A set of colored train cards that correspond to the colored lines that connect cities.
- Scoring markers that correspond to a player's train color.

PLAY

Each player is dealt three destination cards in the beginning and must keep at least two. These form the basis for their lines. They also receive four train cards. To claim a line, players must create sets of the same color and number of train cards as the line connecting two cities. (The color of the lines has nothing to do with the player's train color, but the cards they have in hand.)

Each player, in turn, can perform one of three actions:
1. Draw two train cards per turn from either the set of five placed up for all players to see, or blind from the train card deck. (One card if one of the showing wild cards is chosen.)
2. Play a set of matching train card colors to claim a line between two cities.
3. Get dealt a new set of three destination cards, keeping at least one.

Players score points when they claim a line of track connecting two cities, the length of the track yielding proportionately higher scores. Scoring markers are moved around the 100-point scoring guide on the board perimeter.

When one player has laid all his or her train pieces, the other players get one last turn. Players then reveal their destination cards and add (or subtract, for incomplete lines) to their total. The longest continuous length of claimed track scores additional points, too. Highest point total wins.

REVIEW

Pros:
A gorgeous, well-made game that's easy on the eyes, Ticket to Ride combines simple rules and nail-biting game play with a significant level of strategy. You can't ask for more in a board game.

All ages will love this game. Even children as young as six can play since the rules are simple.

Will please folks sick of the usual board games everyone has.

Game play is short enough to allow multiple sessions of play.

The manufacturer has other games in the Ticket to Ride series that work off the same basic gaming system, though with differing degrees of skill (through additional rules and trickier city layouts). Expansion kits exist, too, so players familiar with the game can get an additional kick out of their existing set. Lastly, an online, multi-player, interactive version of the game can be played through the manufacturer's Web site.

Cons:
The manufacturer lists a game session as lasting 30-60 minutes. We've found it closer to 45-90 minutes. That's as much of a con as this game has!

OVERALL

Buy Ticket to Ride. As someone who loves board games, I found this to be as good as it gets. Nothing disappoints. Everyone who plays the game wants to know where to get a copy. Ticket to Ride has won numerous Game of the Year honors around the world, and it's easy to see why. Absolutely worthy of five stars.

5.) The best boardgame out there
Reviewed by: Learner Colorado, US
Rating:
This is a great game. If your paragon of boardgames is still Monopoly, then you are in for a pleasant surprise. Far superior games are now available. There is a quiet revolution in boardgaming happening right now.

Ticket to Ride is one of the best of these new games. My wife and I love this game. It is very engaging, and pretty short. It gets tense toward the end. It plays well with 2 players as well as 3 to 5 players. It's also great for kids, to teach the geography of the US. This game won the coveted Game of the Year award (the German "Spiel des Jahres" award) for 2004, and it certainly deserves it.

Note: There is a possibility for some competitive, cutthroat playing but we don't play it that way.

If you like this game, also check out these others, which are also listed on Amazon:

Settlers of Catan
Carcassonne


6.) A great family game
Reviewed by: David Bridgeland Sterling, VA USA
Rating:
My daughters (ages 8, 8, and 7) beg me every weekend to play this game. It is the right level for them: complex enough to be challenging, but not hard enough to discourage. And I am glad they are learning some American and Canadian geography along the way!

7.) Ideal combination of strategy and luck
Reviewed by: R. Spaulding Providence, RI United States
Rating:
Like most of the "classic" games (Risk, Monopoly, etc.), this game is relatively easy to learn and has that elusive perfect combination of strategy and luck that makes it so much fun to play. There are also several different legitimate strategies you can use, which always makes for a more interesting game. Unlike Risk and Monopoly, though, it doesn't take a week to play -- more like an hour. This game works well with lots of different ages and groups and is almost as much fun to play with two players as it is with four or five. This is my new favorite game!

8.) Beyond Monopoly
Reviewed by: A. Tabor
Rating:
This deserves its Game of the Year award at this year's Spiele. I think it's the best intro to the "European" or "Family Strategy" board game category since Settlers of Catan. It's less complex than Monopoly, takes less than an hour to play generally, and teaches a little geography to boot. Like most games in the category it does not suffer from the 'behind the eight ball' syndrome and become boring if you're losing. Players usually are running neck and neck up until the final moves.

If you're a gamer and haven't checked out some of the great new board games that have appeared over the last decade, this is a perfect introduction.

9.) Excellent game
Reviewed by: Sherry Graham Atlanta, GA, USA
Rating:
This is an excellent game whether you have two players or fi ve. My boyfriend and I enjoy playing it together, and the two player game goes quickly, always less than an hour. When there are two players you can really have fun trying to get as many routes as possible. When there are more than that, it is challenging getting the starting set of routes. You need to change your strategy based on how many people are playing.

The rules are very easy and quick to learn. Since the playing cards are all visual, children can easily learn this game as well. I am very eager to teach my 9 year old niece this game.

We never get bored with this game.

10.) Awsome!
Reviewed by:
Rating:
This is my favorite game of all time. This is the kind of game my family and i love to play at our beach house every morning. It's a great family game. Really for no one over mabye seven. I recomend this to any family who loves a great game to play with the whole family.

11.) Outstanding Game, Can't Go Wrong With This!!
Reviewed by: Christine Biancheria Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania United States
Rating:
This is an absolutely wonderful game. I own about 300 games, and would easily put this up in the top ten of them. It's great for kids and adults, it's easy to learn and explain, it looks great, it doesn't take too long, it's a great combination of luck and strategy, it plays great with 2 through 5 people .... I could go on and on. But why take up your time when you could be BUYING THIS GAME!! Congratulations to Amazon and Toys R Us for noticing this gem.

12.) Ticket to Ride probably the #1 rated game for the rest of the world
Reviewed by: Richard D. Carnagey Wake Forest, NC USA
Rating:
For anyone who is not a "Gamer" the name "Ticket to Ride" doesn't really mean anything beyond a Beatles song. However if you mention it in Europe and many other parts of the world you might get a very different reaction.

About a year ago I got interested in Board Games and after much research I found that Ticket to Ride was always mentioned as the Most Popular Game on all the gaming websites. They call it a "Gateway Game", which means it is a Euro game that will appeal to non gamers, but at the same time it is a good enough game that gamers like to play it as well.

I was still a bit hesitant to buy it as I am not a big "Train" person. But after reading many many reviews, I realized that this game must be something really good and I broke down and ordered it.

I can tell you that anytime anyone wants to play Ticket to Ride now I am always ready to play. It doesn't take long to learn how to play, but it is one of those games that you learn new stratgies as you play it.

Ticket to Ride is usually my first choice now to introduce non gamers to Euro-style games. I have yet to meet anyone who didn't like playing Ticket to Ride.

I think if a poll was taken throughout the world, Ticket to Ride would probably be #1 even though it is not well known in the US. Once you play it you won't want to go back to playing Monopoly.... there really is no comparison... they are on two different levels.

Do yourself a favor and get this game and see for yourself.



13.) Great Game for kids and adults
Reviewed by: SAM Denver, Colorado
Rating:
Ticket to Ride is a great game weather you are looking for a 30 minute deal, or an hour-long challenge. This game is very easy to grasp and the possibilities are endless.

14.) Superb game
Reviewed by: D. Cragin
Rating:
I can't say enough good things about this game. The rules are simple & quality of the game pieces is very high.

Despite its recommendation of 8 yrs+, my 6-yr (train buff) son loves it. If you are trying to decide: The child needs limited reading skills, i.e., to read a city name on a card and associate with the name on the map (you can help them and the game still can be fun).

This is the first adult-type game I can play with my son. The 1st few games we played with open cards and I had to help him, but he soon learned enough to make his own decisions. Game play is fast and we often play 2 games in a row.

Although simple to play, there is much strategy to the game. My son & I continue to hone our skills (this keeps the game interesting, even for me). The game actually has an element of excitement when your near the end and wonder whether you'll be able to complete all your routes. We sometimes play day after day w/o getting bored.

As a parent, another nice thing about the game is you can unobtrusively let your child win without them knowing you did so (it's not like most kid's games that are purely based on chance and are therefore are "hard to lose.")

The main educational element is that game play requires thinking about the future and visualizing how to route your trains (how many games that a 6 yr old can play require such thinking?). It also teaches basic US/Southern Canada geography. The only downside is that game requires much card shuffling. Despite that the cards are laminated, we play so much we may wear them out.

15.) Incredible Game Experience
Reviewed by: JC Ohio
Rating:
Incredible game for almost any age group. This board game has everything going for it. It is a great deal of fun, as each new game requires a different strategy from the last. The overall strategy tendencies are difficult to master, and after having played this game 50 times or more, I am still trying to decide the best strategic approach. It is very easy to learn, and after one play through you will never need to look at the rules again. The game is expertly constructed using materials that will not break or wear at any time in the near future. I plan to realistically have played this game thousands of times before any pieces need fixed/replaced. A group of my friends have a movie/game night once every week, and this seems to be the one game that everyone is always in the mood for.

Overall, a great value for the price. Great gameplay, and loads of fun! Fun for gamers and non-gamers, as I have not found anyone that dislikes this game.

16.) Easy to learn, fun to master
Reviewed by: Birdies Mama Milwaukee, WI, USA
Rating:
This is a "Best Game" winner for a reason. It plays equally well with two to four players. You can play five, but the gameplay gets a little long, and your desired paths are more easily clogged up.

We LOVE this game! It's well made, with an oversize game board map of U.S. and Canada. You get plastic trains in five colors, wagon cards (used to claim your routes), and secret destination tickets which score you bonus points.

The game has subtle intricacies, and you'll have fun developing your own strategies. You get points by claiming routes between cities. Points are somewhat exponential--a two-wagon route is worth two points while a six-wagon route lands you 15 points.

You also score with destination tickets. Complete your destinations and earn the points (ranging from four points to 21 for a cross-country route). But, if you don't connect the two cities on your destination ticket, those points are DEDUCTED from your score! Players reveal their destination tickets at the end of the game. You can also try to foil your opponents by claiming routes that interfere with where you think they are trying to go.

The game maker, Days of Wonder, provides a lively online gaming community. You get an online code with your purchase, so you can play this fun game (and other Days games) online whenever you want. This is an awesome feature we use almost daily. The game is quite popular in Europe. I once played an online game (I am in U.S.) with a French person, German, Australian, and Pakistani. What fun!

17.) Great introduction to European style games
Reviewed by: Number One Game Fan San Francisco, CA
Rating:
Ticket to Ride is a fun, quick connection game that's suitable for ages 10 and up, but it's a very enjoyable game for adults alone. Using plastic train cards, players attempt to connect cities on cards they hold and block other players' routes. The game can be played in either a friendly non-confrontational manner, or very strategically and aggressively. Ticket to Ride, though designed by an American and published by an America/French company, is an example of a European-style strategy boardgame. If you like this game, you might want to learn more about the hobby. Boardgamegeek.com is a great source of information, though maybe overwhelming at first. There are also a number of great boardgame podcasts, including The Dice Tower at www.dicetower.com. Happy gaming!

18.) A game that's actually fun for children AND adults!
Reviewed by: kecall Thurmont, MD USA
Rating:
My brother bought this game for my dds. Since receiving it a short time ago, we have already played a dozen times! What makes this game so fun is that it is completely different every time we play! The game is also unpredicatable up until the very end...not like those board games where one person pulls ahead, and everyone else loses interest! We are definitely hooked!!

19.) Ticket to Ride is great
Reviewed by: Raymond Langhaim
Rating:
This is a great family game! We stayed up till 2am many nights playing over Christmas break. Games last about an hour and it is very fun. It combines a lot of strategy with some luck of the cards. Highly recommend

20.) Fun for almost all ages
Reviewed by: cayeta Toledo, OH
Rating:
This is a great game and is easy for anyone who can count up to 6. So you should be able to find someone to play with at all times. I've owned this game for 2 years and anytime we have someone over, they suggest we play it, nobody has had a negative experience with it.

21.) What a blast
Reviewed by: jayhawkeye2 LAS VEGAS, NV USA
Rating:
My wife and I enjoy games -- usually more of the thinking kind -- risk, scrabble, etc. This game kept popping up, so I gave it a shot. You can learn it in 5 minutes, but it is a blast. Lots of strategy (which I am still ironing out) and a enough luck to change things up every time you play. I would definitely recommend the 1910 expansion pack, though!



22.) A Shout Out to My Peeps on the Portland to San Fran Express
Reviewed by: J. Nipar Houston, TX
Rating:
There are enough reviews already, so here's my bare opinion:

Ticket to Ride is hands-down, by 3-car lengths, without question, without dispute, and without peer, one of the Greatest Boardgames of All Time. The world is a better place because of this game.

23.) Most fun my daughter and I have ever had playing a game
Reviewed by: Kenneth M. Lury
Rating:
I had gotten bored with my solo computer games so I started researching board games for 2 or more players based primarily simple rules, but layers of strategy and less than an hours duration. I don't like games that have a heavy emphasis on luck.
Although the rules were a little obscure at first, we figured it out very quickly and had a great first game. My 16 y/o daughter beat the pants off me.
This is the most fun board game I have ever played.

24.) So much Fun!!
Reviewed by: Tammie Reno, NV
Rating:
This game is very fun to play. It's great because you really have to plan out your moves, while trying to figure out where your opponents are headed. I particularly love that it is just as much fun with 2 people as with 5. Also everyone I play with talks about it for weeks. It's like you can't get it out of your mind. Totally recommended by me!

25.) Fun Euro Game
Reviewed by: smv135 Atlanta, GA
Rating:
My husband and I enjoy playing board games with friends and have found that this is a great game to teach beginner/intermediate players. It does have a good amount of strategy, but the rules are more simple than some other strategy game so it is easy to get the hang of it the first time you play.

26.) My son's favorite!
Reviewed by: Meagan Young Montisci New York, NY
Rating:
My 10 year old son and I are crazy about board games. Since we got this one the others have been gathering dust. We play at least once a week, and the rest of the week he's strategizing for the next time we'll play. Not only is it a fantastic lesson on urban planning but also geography. I highly recommend this game for a great family experience!

27.) Geogrophy and strategy in one game!
Reviewed by: jaynesweet Omaha, NE United States
Rating:
This game is great for just about all ages. It teaches (some) geography with the states board layout, and also teaches how to stratagize. Players must decide on each turn to collect cards or play cards. Great family play.

28.) Fun and simple
Reviewed by: David T. Bilir
Rating:
I purchased this game for my family after enjoying Settlers of Catan and reading some reviews. I think it is even better than Settlers, because the game play is much simpler, and thus quicker. Settlers always takes forever because of the trading aspect, but this game is faster paced without dropping the strategy.

29.) Ticket To Ride Review
Reviewed by: Dana L. Huffman OKC, OK
Rating:
It's a fun, easy to learn game that is different every time you play. After you play it enough, you begin to learn which routes are on the cards, and then it's time to buy the expansion.

30.) One of the best board games I've played
Reviewed by: Bengals in 07!!! N. Ky, USA
Rating:
After playing one game of this with some friends (I had never even heard of it) I rushed online to purchase a copy for myself. This is a great game, easy to learn but with a good deal of depth, and various strategies to follow to victory. The set is well designed, colorful, and unique. It's great to find something outside of the normal wall of "board games" at your local WalMart and to support some real creativity in the market instead of the next lame TV quiz show cash in. In the 6 weeks or so that I've had the game, I've probably logged more sessions with it than almost every other board game combined. It's that good, and a worthwile investment (plus a great conversation piece for new players).

31.) Great, challenging, fun game
Reviewed by: J. Lamson
Rating:
We love this game! The entire family, even our first-grader, enjoys this game. It is different every time you play, is challenging for the adults but not too tough for children to pick up, and is a lot of fun. One game takes an hour or less to play, but we often play multiple rounds because we enjoy it so much. We recommend it highly.

32.) Our favorite game!!
Reviewed by: momster
Rating:
We received this game as a gift 2 years ago. Today I'm buying it for a close friend as a gift. Our whole family loves this game. Players have to collect colored train cards to complete each leg of their train ride. Players have to put together those legs to form the route, which are assigned by cards. players get points both for completing each leg and completing whole routes, and lose points for routes not completed.It is unlike other board games in that you do not go around the board in a circle - in fact you may not be able to tell who's winning by looking at the board! It's just a totally different game that's really fun!!!!!!!

33.) Ultimate family game
Reviewed by: Atticus Finch Santa Ana, CA USA
Rating:
I've introduced my family to numerous board games over the last year, and this one is the winner, for several reasons. It's fun, easy to learn, plays under an hour, and it looks great. It's equally engaging for kids and adults. Also, there's no real downtime in between turns, because you're always analyzing & plotting your next move. Note that we play with the 1910 Expansion, with the 'Megagame' variant. Although not essential, the bigger 1910 cards, additional tickets, and globe-trotter card make this game even better.

34.) Ticket to Ride
Reviewed by: Larrene R. Sargent
Rating:
We love our game Ticket to Ride. We were introduced to it at Thanksgiving and couldn't wait for Christmas to have our own. It's a game that is fun and at the same time very challenging. It tests our knowledge of the geography of the United States and it's fun to use strategy to try and win.

35.) Great game!
Reviewed by: Rebecca Bandy Oberlin, OH
Rating:
We bought this game a few months ago without knowing much about it and have had so much fun. It only takes a few minutes to set up and begin playing. The strategy is simple enough that we can have a game going for days on the dining room table, playing a move when we can while chasing after two small children! The scoring can be so close at the end that you can surprise yourself by winning. We've already introduced "Ticket to Ride" to extended family and can't wait for our son to be old enough to play with us.

36.) Ticket to Ride
Reviewed by: Cheryl G. Elmer Grand Rapids, MI
Rating:
This game has been fun for the whole family. It is easy to learn, so even the younger ones can play. Strategy comes with practice. We like playing in teams of two people, but found you need at least three players or three teams to make the game exciting. We have bought the game (and Ticket to Ride Europe) as gifts for several people because our family liked it so much. It is not everyday that you find a really good board game.

37.) Great game
Reviewed by: Thomas C. Hoi
Rating:
Ticket to Ride is a game with few rules and many possibilities. Its simple goal of building train routes masks a complexity that is an optimizer's delight. Figuring out the best configuration is just half the fun. As you and the other players quickly develop a taste for backstabbing (and you will), it is how to win ugly that makes the game truly fascinating. The sturdy construction and nice presentation of the board and game pieces will further ensure that you will enjoy this game for years to come.

38.) A favorite with many
Reviewed by: author of Tightening the Knot NC
Rating:
This is a great medium concentration game. The strategy is not too tricky, but challenging enough to hold your interest. Basically, you either collect or play train cards on your turn. You need to have the same number and color to play on a route, and then you connect your routes to match the bonus on your ticket. The score for routes increases by the number of train cards needed, from 1 point for 1 to 15 points for 6. My only complaint is that there are a few tickets that might be weighted a little high and lucking into one of these on the initial draw gives a slight advantage. You get a higher bonus to connect farther apart cities, but some of these have longer routes between them which give you a bonus already. Overall, a solid and very fun game.

I have not yet had the chance to play it with 2, but I know from experience that it works equally well with 3, 4 or 5.

39.) Very fun and easy to play
Reviewed by: S. Estes Shreveport, LA
Rating:
This game was very fun and easy to play. In fact, it is one of the only games that I own that doesen't have an extensive manual for directions (i.e. Carcassonne, Settlers). The pieces even came in individual baggies! The game play was quick since only 1 action can be performed each turn, so you aren't spending 1/2 of the game waiting on people to make decisions. I would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys playing strategy boardgames.

40.) Excellent game
Reviewed by: A. Loveridge
Rating:
Ticket to Ride provides enough strategy to be challenging and allow for risk, yet isn't so involved that you can't have side conversations during the game. It's super easy to learn, a good one to introduce your friends too. It also has a good balance of strategy to luck, so no one person can become the train master. The playing time is pretty accurate, the fastest we've played a two-person game is a little over twenty minutes. More people definitely equals more fun with this one, but it's still entertaining to play with only two.

A great game all around.

41.) One of our favorite games!
Reviewed by: 3 Little Chicks Idaho Falls, ID
Rating:
I was introduced to this game a few months ago at a family gathering. We are a family that likes to play a lot of games when we get together and this one was definitely the favorite. After playing it there - I went right home and had to buy it for myself.

I really enjoy this game because it has a lot of different strategies that you can use, but is not so complicated that it's exhausting. Even if you're losing, it's still SO fun to play and you really don't know that you are losing until the end of the game anyway.

I HIGHLY recommend this game!!! We love to play it as a couple, as a family, and with all our friends that we can rope into it!!!

42.) AWESOME!
Reviewed by: L. Boyd Tumwater, WA
Rating:
We are huge fans of Settler's of Catan, so to find a new game that is as much fun can be hard for us. Ticket to Ride (or The Train Game, as we call it) is fun and, without even knowing it, educational!! Kids can learn basic U.S. geography of major cities through the placement of rail lines and completion of destinations. We also love that it was extremely easy to learn and can be set up/ready to place in just moments. I wanted to teach my 6 and 8 year old nephews to play this game, but they hald already caught on after observing the adults playing earlier. (The 6 year old need a little guidance but completely understood the concepts.) We will be getting the European version soon! It's never the same game twice!

43.) Great, Great Board Game!!!
Reviewed by: LynnT hillsborough, nc
Rating:
My son is just getting to the age where we can sit down as a family and enjoy a good board game. We simply LOVE this game. We had to play it every night for a solid week before I had to break the habit and get back to the real world! I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great game to enjoy as a family. You can play as nice or as ugly as you like as there are tactics you can use against your opponents (you can figure this out once you play a couple of times). I would suggest making card holders for the younger players as it gets tough hiding your tickets and keeping up with your intended routes. I will be getting this board game for all the kids on my Christmas list this year. You cannot go wrong with this game!!!

44.) Very Good! Available for Xbox 360
Reviewed by: Matthew Eland Columbus, OH USA
Rating:
This is a very good and very expensive board game.

The mechanics are exceptional and the replay value is huge. I'll trust that other reviews have gone over the basic mechanics. Let me just say that the play factors of planning your routes, dealing with the cards that are available and sudden changes necessitated by opponents taking routes you were counting on is very entertaining.

A video game version of this is also available on Xbox 360 LIVE arcade. You can purchase it for either 600 or 800 points (see Xbox 360 Live 1600 Points and others) which works out to considerably cheaper than the board game and allows online multiplayer. A demo of this is available as well.

There are several expansions/variations to Ticket to Ride available involving new maps and / or mechanics, but these are not included in this core product.

45.) One of our favorite boardgames
Reviewed by: Katrina B.
Rating:
Whether it's a rainy day and we're looking for something to do as a family, or whether we have another couple over for "dinner and games," you can often find us pulling out Ticket to Ride. We love this game!

Easy enough to understand so that even kids age 8 and up can participate (with a little help and guidance), but interesting enough to cause grown-ups to play, even if no kids are around, Ticket to Ride is a worthwhile investment for any family that enjoys boardgames.

The idea is simple: collect cards and use them to buy train routes between cities. But the strategy gets more involved as more people play. Will you try to block the other players? Or just focus on completing your own goals to get maximum points? However you do it, Ticket to Ride is fun, fun, fun.

46.) Family time, geography, and fun.
Reviewed by: Alan Holyoak In the shadow of the Tetons
Rating:
We like to play games in our family. As the children got older we got tired of the run-of-the-mill board games. We now enjoy looking for and trying out new and interesting boardgame options.

One of our treasured finds is "Ticket to Ride." It is no mystery to board game enthusiasts that this is a great game, but just in case you don't run in those circles or visit those web sites, here's the scoop on this game.

What you should know about this game if you are considering it:
1) It can accommodate up to 5 players.
2) The game works best for players aged 10 and up (though the box says 8 and up). Our 9-yr-old was able to pick up on this game, but it takes a bit longer to play than her gaming attention span is at the moment, and she likes to play games.
3) This game may take up to an hour to play, though quicker play by experienced players can cut that time in half.

In this game players are competing rail barons in the year 1900. At the start of the game each player draws three destination cards that indicate the beginning and ending cities of a RR line (e.g., Denver to New Orleans). Players choose to keep at least two of those destination cards and they collect colored RR car cards that they can trade in to claim segments of RR lines needed to connect cities on their destination cards. Players earn points for each RR segment they complete, for completion of the RR indicated on destination cards, and for completing the longest continuous RR line.

As as you play you need to beware that as you are working to complete a RR line you could be blocked either accidentally or on purpose (depending on the personalities of your competitors) when another player builds on a RR segment you need. If that happens, that just means that you need to find an alternative way to get to complete the RR line between your destinations.

It takes good judgement to decide when and where to build your RR segments, as well as when to select additional destination cards.

Just so you know, on a player's turn they can either collect up to two colored RR car cards, build a RR segment, or draw new destination cards.

This is a fun game that can be enjoyable for tweenaged children and grown-ups alike.

Since there are way more destination cards included with the game than can be built during any one game, and since the shuffling of those cards, as well as the large number of colored RR car cards is large, the game is never the same twice.

Another perk of this game, in addition to it's overal enjoyability is the fact that as you play you can learn some geography of North America (some Canadian cities are also included).

Fun and educational.

When you are ready to move beyond games like "Candyland", "The Game of Life", etc., try this one out.

Also, just in case you didn't know, there are also other versions of "Ticket to Ride" for Europe, Germany, and Switzerland (some of which are stand-alone games, and some of which are expansion games).

In any case, this particular game is a solid 5-star option, easily played (once you get through your first few games).

I hope this was helpful.

47.) Great Game!
Reviewed by: jeannesbooks Edenton, NC USA
Rating:
We have been big fans of Settler's of Catan for several years and have been looking for a similarly engaging game to play as a family. I think we have found it in Ticket to Ride. It's not as interactive as Settlers but certainly as strategic. The kids (14 & 18) really enjoyed it and, though they wouldn't admit it, learned a little geography in the process. It is based on garnering train routes within the US and Canada so the geography is limited to those areas. A world or European version of this game would be great! I totally recommend this game to Settler's lovers and anyone else looking for a fun, family oriented, strategic game.

48.) Great Game
Reviewed by: C. Cherrington Las Vegas, NV
Rating:
This game is really fun, easy to play, and moves quickly. We really like playing this with friends even when our kids are around because it does not require your 100% attention all of the time.

49.) Worth the money!!
Reviewed by: Caroline Westman Blacksburg, VA
Rating:
I am what you would call a "board game enthusiast", and this one fits the bill with gusto in my opinion as a challenging, exciting, competitive, straight-forward game for even those of us who are not age 8. I'm 23 and my parents are +30 my age, and we all love it and find it enthralling. I wish there were more games like this. If you enjoy monopoly, you'll enjoy this one. Also, it has the added benefit of not taking as long to play as monopoly. I give it 6 out of 5 stars. Enjoy!

50.) Great board game for kids and adults alike.
Reviewed by: Joel Smith Southern California
Rating:
I've had this game for a few years now, and I must say this is one of the best board games I've ever played. I've introduced several people to this game, including family members that don't like board games, and everyone has loved it. The game goes by quickly, with a full session taking about 45-60 minutes. Each player's turn goes by quickly as well, averaging about 10 seconds for two of the normal actions (drawing train cards or claiming a route), and maybe 1 minute for the other action (choosing new destination cards-- a somewhat uncommon event), so you don't end up in a situation when each player is taking forever to play.

The game also tends to be fairly light hearted. No one knows where anyone else is going, so no one can specifically choose to try to block a specific person (likewise, that never seems to be an optimal move anyway). No one's feeling should get hurt by the time the game has finished.

The overall quality of the peices of the game are also quite good. The board is very nice (but large), the train peices are a light plastic that holds up (but try not to step on them), and the cards are pretty durable. The box also holds all of the pieces quite neatly, so you don't need to fumble around the box trying to find whatever piece you now need.

I would definately recommend this game to anyone interested in the least. You won't be disapointed.

51.) Easy to Understand, Great Depth in Strategy
Reviewed by: D.O. SF Bay Area
Rating:
This is a wonderfully designed game. Not only are all the components top notch (as are all Days of Wonder games) but the game mechanics are amazing as well.

This game has a rare combination of easy to learn rules and good depth of strategy. I have yet to have anyone who has played this game not enjoy it. It doesn't take long for them to become totally engrossed. There's educational value as well (geography).

This game is great for four to five players. For three players it's good but not quite as good.

For two to three players there is an expansion game for Switzerland. This game is great for two to three players.

52.) Super fun but the American version is not as good as the European
Reviewed by: madame soleil Springfield, MO USA
Rating:
This game is full of strategy, interaction, and unpredictability. The whole family loves it! But I've played the Europe version and it has more interesting twists including tunnels and bridges. Definitely go for that one over the American map version.

53.) A really fun game
Reviewed by: P. Jirasek Chicago, IL
Rating:
It's a great game best played with either 3 or 5 people.(Though you can play with 2-5 players) This game is less about luck than most other board games and I really appreciate that. There's a lot of strategy involved, and thankfully different strategies to play. It plays kind of like a train sim except instead of computer opponents it's other people. I'd like to give some major kudos to the game inventor.
And also nice, the typical game lasts about an hour, so this isn't like monopoly or risk that can take forever to complete.

Be aware though, it has lots of small plastic pieces. And unlike most games you need all of those pieces. So I'd keep children under 7 far away from it.

But it really is a lot of fun, definitely gives you sense of accomplishment when you build a train from San Francisco to New York. (You'll know what I mean when you check it out.)

54.) great family game
Reviewed by: gbscoutmom
Rating:
great family game... short learning curve. we all loved playing it. It kept the interest of the whole family. I got the gift over christmas, and we played it multiple times over the holidays... and are still playing it. (2 days ago).
great family game. everyone loves it... of ALL ages.

55.) Ticket to Ride - 2004 Spiel des Jahres
Reviewed by: Board Game Fanatic Charlottesville, VA
Rating:
Without a doubt this was the right pick for the prestigious Spiele des Jahres at the 2004 Essen Game show. Ticket to Ride has the great combination of strategy and luck that any good game design should. I thoroughly enjoy this game, and it is real fun with 2, 3, 4 or 5 players. The really neat thing about this game is how different it plays depending on the number of players playing. I would heartily recommend this game to anyone at all who considers boardgames good fun and time well spent.

56.) Great Game, a new world of family gaming!
Reviewed by: Special K
Rating:
For those who say Yuck! I hate Boardgames and are thinking of Monopoly, Candyland, Life or think back to overly comlicated games that were played in dark and dreary game stores for days on end, well... Welcome to a new brand of REAL,ENJOYABLE, and EASY to learn games. Often called Euro-Games becasue of their European origin these games are "strategy" games that you can read the rules and begin playing in less the a half hour and have played the game in less then hour.

Ticket to Ride is a wonderful game and you will be up and playing within minuted of opening the box. You will NEVER touch Monopoly again once you played this one.

57.) Excellent Game
Reviewed by: nitengal78 Sacramento, CA
Rating:
This is a very fun and educational game. Players use cute trains to build "tracks" across the US to different cities completing a card that details what cities need to be linked to get points. Its very easy to learn. The only thing is that it can be complicated to score the game-we tend to do it at the end of the game rather than trying to do it during play. This is one of the few games that is fun with just two players. Very Entertaining! (ticket to ride Europe is also fun).

58.) Fun, well-made game
Reviewed by: J. Jacobs
Rating:
Players start the game by drawing cards which give them train routes across the US they should aim to create. During the game, they create train routes, earning points for each segment created, plus bonus points for completing a designated route. It's a strategy game with a dose of luck. But compared to Ticket to Ride Europe, it is less cutthroat, and harder to thwart other players. The game is fairly predictable, but fun and appropriate for both adults and children, groups of up to five as well as two players. It's also good for those who want exposure to U.S. geography. A fun, well-made game. Recommended.

59.) Loads of fun!
Reviewed by: Stephanie Green Cove Springs, FL
Rating:
Finally, a boardgame that's fun to play more than once or twice! My family has played this game about ten times in less than a month. It's easy to play, once you understand the rules and different every time.

60.) Great Family Board Game!
Reviewed by: Alberto Principe Orlando, FL
Rating:
When Ifirst heard of this game, I was a bit reluctant to even spend the money buying it. I did buy it and my wife and i got our first chance to play it, one lazy afternoon after the electricity went out. We had so much fun, we kept playing it even when the electricity came back on. We love this game and recommend it to everyone that likes to stay away from the television, from time to time. Buy it now!

61.) Great game, different from the rest
Reviewed by: Christine Nelson Granite Bay, CA
Rating:
Our family learned about this game while visiting family. We have had so much playing it. Whether with my 7 year old son or just my husband and I, we have a great time. I would recommend it for any family that loves games.

62.) Board games make a comeback
Reviewed by: www.chicaandjo.com USA
Rating:
Chica and I love to play games with our friends. We started out our gaming with our all-time favorite, Carcassonne Game. We progressed from there to such games as Puerto Rico and Thurn & Taxis. This Christmas, we received Ticket to Ride and although it wasn't released by our usual favorite, Rio Grande games, we gave it a try. What a wonderful game! It was refreshingly easy to learn how to play but the more times we play it, the more difficult the strategy becomes. The strategy also changes depending on how many people are playing the game. If you are a fan of Rio Grande games, you will love this one as well. With so many fun board game options out there, does it really matter is there is a writer's strike going on? : )

63.) A Family Favorite
Reviewed by: C Worthen Page AZ
Rating:
We play Games and this one is a favorite. Two can play but the fun factor raises as more people compete for roads. Highly recommended!

64.) Love Love Love it!
Reviewed by: H. Savage Tucson, AZ
Rating:
We have this game and love it! We have played with many of our friends, and everyone can play. After we finish a game, we normally start again! Directions are easy to understand and explain. Play it and you will love it too!

65.) Excellent game!
Reviewed by: Menachem Husarsky
Rating:
When i played this game at a friends house, i just ***had*** to have it. Being a computer programmer, this game is a dream come true. It's essentially a minimum spanning tree combat game! This game will appeal to all ages and can be played from 2 to 5 players! A great family night game!

66.) One of our favorites
Reviewed by: Marian Adamson Detroit, MI
Rating:
This is one of our favorite games. Our friends introduced it to us, and when they moved, we had to buy a copy for ourselves. The game is a good mix of strategy and luck.

67.) Super fun Game
Reviewed by: S. Smith
Rating:
This is tons of fun. My spouse and I love to play against each other or with other adults. Our kids also really like to play and we modify the rules a bit to include a 6 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old. Family game night has gotten even better with this game!

68.) Family Fun
Reviewed by: kay Southeastern Pennsylvania
Rating:
This game is quick, easy to learn (one practice round & you're off & running), and fun. Easily grasped by kids from 7-8 on up. We had it out last weekend and it was played for hours on end. Plays quickly enough that a game or two can be played between dinner and bedtime during the week . . . it's a nice way to get the whole family together.

This game makes a good gift . . . . well, our visitors have all ended up wanting their own game. Amazon's price with free delivery is competitive, at least when i made my purchase.

We started with Ticket to Ride then moved to the European edition . . . that seems to be a good transition. Then tack on some of the Expansion games if you want.

Have fun!

69.) Unique Game
Reviewed by: Mathjedi Central NJ
Rating:
This board game seems to go over very well with anyone that I introduce to it. I have yet to find a person that does not enjoy its simplicity and strategy. Don't pass this one up!

70.) USA version, basic, easy, and very fun to play!
Reviewed by: Meimei
Rating:
Ticket to Ride
This is one of my favorite board games! Adults and kids can play together too! The only thing about the rules in the manual that is not clear is the scoring, when calculating the points at the end. Since I've played with friends before I purchased this game, I tell you. Here's how: After a person is down to 2 or less trains, it becomes the last and final round for everyone else and stops back at that person. The game then ends and calculating the score begins. For every destination cards that you didn't or were not able to complete, you subtract that number score on the card. Then the person with the longest train route score an extra 10 points. Any other cards or locomotive cards in their hands are discarded and not used for scoring.
It is a great game and can be addictive. You can also sign up as guest online at www.daysofwonder.com to play it too! The most basic version is the USA one, other versions may add extra things in it.

71.) A great addition to your board game shelf
Reviewed by: Longtime Mac User Rome, NY
Rating:
My family and I saw Ticket to Ride demoed at a game store in the Adirondacks and have wanted it ever since, but were a little put off by the $49.95 price. I wanted a new game to bring to our family reunion, and thought TTR was just the, well... ticket. I watched it on Amazon, and ordered it when the price dropped a little. The game has been very well received by our family. Our youngest daughter, 10, is probably the most enthusiastic, especially after winning the second game we played! The rules are straightforward, and the game play is simple--players choose one of three possible actions for their turn--making the game as easy to start playing as any of the more well known family board games, like Sorry, Life, or Clue. It's on par with Risk or Monopoly in that developing a plan will help you win the game, but the game is still enjoyable if played more casually. Game play is fast once you get into a rhythm. The bright, colorful, and solidly made game components look to last for years of hard play. It even comes with a few extra pieces of each color, as a protection against loss. The availability of expansion modules (USA 1910, Switzerland) and companion editions (Europe, Marklin (Germany) and Nordic Countries) means if you like TTR, you'll be able to play variants for years to come. (My 13 year old daughter has already asked for TTR Europe for Christmas.) A real bonus is the key that comes inside the game, enabling you to play online at the Days of Wonder website. You can play solo against capable "bots," or test your skill against hundreds of online human opponents. All in all, well worth the above-average price, and lots of fun.

72.) Excellent Party Game
Reviewed by: Justin Hanney Seattle, WA
Rating:
I bought this game on a recommendation from a friend and it is a great addition to any board game collection. How can you beat a combination of Risk and becoming the next American railroad tycoon? I highly recommend this game for any party or gathering.

73.) Love this Game
Reviewed by: Marie
Rating:
I bought this for my sons birthday and the whole family has enjoyed this game. It is fun and never the same. Adults and children will have fun.

74.) Fantastic Game!
Reviewed by: www.gaming-age.com reviewer Royalton, MN United States
Rating:
Ticket to Ride is now one of my favorite board games. I won't go into detail about how to play the game as there are many other reviews here that do just that. I just had to comment that if you've been sitting on the fence trying to decide whether or not to purchase Ticket to Ride, just do it. Every single person that I've played with has really enjoyed the game. It's so easy to learn and the turns go quick. The game has a great combination of luck and strategy that appeals to gamers of all ages.

I have yet to order any expansions or other versions, but based on how much everyone loves this game I'm hoping to explore those options soon. If you want a unique game that's easy to learn, fun to play, and will keep you coming back time and time again, Ticket to Ride is your game. The only minor gripe I have is that it caps out at 5 players. There have been several instances where I had 6 or 7 people wanting to play.

75.) jersey girl
Reviewed by: jersey grl morristown nj
Rating:
I love this game. My brother got me into it, then i bought it and got my boyfriend into it, and now i bought the game for my uncle to play. Everyone loves it! and its easy to learn

76.) Ticket to RIde....FUN FOR ALL!
Reviewed by: Steve Wojcik
Rating:
I recently received this game for friends and family to play. I've read a lot of reviews about the game. I liked that the gameplay is quick to learn. Rules can be explained in five minutes. EVERYONE loved the game. We played it with couples and the girls REALLY loved it which is a bonus. THis is a great gateway game. Your girlfriend will love playing it, your wife will love playing it

77.) Easy to learn, fun for a long time
Reviewed by: G. Burnett Cincinnati, OH United States
Rating:
The instructions are simple and the rules are few, but the game is still challenging and fun even after it has been played over and over. I've owned "Ticket to Ride" for more than a year, and while some of its addictive qualities have dissipated, it hasn't lost its luster. It quickly became--and has remained--my family's favorite game (at the expense of "Settlers of Catan," another great game). I recommend also getting the Ticket to Ride expansion pack. It includes more destinations (and larger cards), which opens up the game considerably, especially with more players.

78.) Fun for the family
Reviewed by: J. Holmes Seattle WA
Rating:
In General

Originally, the retail price and other reviews of the ease of the game kept me from purchasing this. I thought I might get bored of it easy. However, Amazon has a great price and with free shipping now less made this worth trying. We've played this game almost every day since we've bought it. The non complicated rules make this game fun for the whole family. Our 6 year old plays right along with us.

About the USA version
We bought the USA version as it would a good familiarity of US geography for our 6 year old. Granted it doesn't list the states and the cities are limited, it does give her a good idea of how our country is situated, and the generalization of the cities that are on the map. The states are all lined out as well.

We also bought this one because it is a 5 player version. Some are made to suit more and less players. This one has a more basic rule set as well. Another factor in getting our less than the suggested age for this game daughter into it.

In the end, we love it.



79.) The Train Game
Reviewed by: Todd Weber Chicago, IL USA
Rating:
A fun game for mostly all ages. The only negative is that only 5 can play. Goes quickly once you know how to play, and the learning time is only a few rounds.

80.) Great family fun
Reviewed by: mrjoecampbell Grand Island, NE United States
Rating:
Ticket to Ride is an excellent game for the whole family. It teaches geography, color recognition, and math skills. We have the Europe edition as well. All members of our family age 5 to 80 enjoy getting together to play this game.

It's worth every penny!!

81.) Best German board game to use with people who don't like German board games!
Reviewed by: A. Saunders Virginia, USA
Rating:
I, like many others, first heard of this via the Xbox Arcade version of it. The game itself is a great balance of simple rules with rich gameplay potential.

It's an attractive game (lot's of little pieces though!) that draws people to it. Good for getting people who don't like other German board games (Catan, Carcassone) to play. Can also play a reasonable game with only 2 people, although 3-5 is ideal.

The only difficult thing is the cards. They are tiny little things, and the game uses a LOT of cards and demands reshuffling them frequently (the discard pile ends up with groups of like cards). This is difficult to do due to the size of the cards. I believe there is an add-on (1910?) that contains bigger cards.

82.) A must have board game!
Reviewed by: J. Scruggs Dayton, OH
Rating:
I purchased this game after playing it with friends. Now I'm addicted! It's great fun for children up to grandparents. It comes with 6 months of free online play as well!

83.) Fun mapping game
Reviewed by: amazon USA
Rating:
Fast to learn, fun to play; this game offers a great transition into more complicated games for you and your friends. Just remember only 5 people can play - which is a plus if you have that one friend that always seems odd man out and a negative when you have those 2 couples you were planning on spending some time with...

84.) A quick and easy-to-learn game
Reviewed by: boardgamer Flint, MI
Rating:
Got this game for the holidays. Lots of fun, easy to learn. Relies more on strategy and planning than on luck-of-the-draw. Very intense competition at times. I look forward to bringing this game to many get-togethers.

85.) It"s fun to play.
Reviewed by: grandma katie
Rating:
I gave this game to my eleven year old grandson for Christmas. His mother telephoned me twice last week to tell me how much they are enjoying it. They are a board game family and have many from which to choose. They played it at least four days last week. My selection was due to the reviews posted on Amazon.

86.) Ticket for fun
Reviewed by: Myrna Texas
Rating:
This game is so much fun! It is easy to learn, and can be played with different levels of strategy, so even young children, age 7 or 8 can play.
Our family plays with adults, and it can become difficult as we try to block each other along the routes.

87.) Super Fun
Reviewed by: A. Blodgett Pagosa Springs, CO United States
Rating:
Our friends got us hooked on this game, so we bought it. Now we've gotten quite a few of our friends hooked on it. It's great because it's easy & quick to teach, easy to catch on to & even 8 year olds can play, but interesting enough that strategy game lovers will enjoy it. Our other favorite games include Puerto Rico & Settlers of Catan. We always wait to the end to count up the points & it's hard to know who's winning until you count up everyone's points. We also like that it doesn't take as long as the other games we play, so if we're tired but just want to get one quick game in before guests leave, we play this one. You will DEFINITELY want to get the 1910 expansion, because it has more routes & you're not stuck holding these tiny awkward cards in your hand.

88.) Best Strategy Game Ever
Reviewed by: D. Theriault Idaho Falls, ID
Rating:
Great strategy game. Relatively fast for it's genre. And simple enough, with a quick learning curve.
Awesome.

89.) Excellent family game!
Reviewed by: Thomas Peterson Indiana
Rating:
This game has all of the ingredients to produce an enjoyable time for family and friends alike. It is easy to learn for kids and adults, and provides excitement and fun for everyone. It is challenging and rewarding, and the winner is not usually obvious or known until the scores are tallied at the end of the game.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes strategy and educational games.

90.) Great Game
Reviewed by: J. Bahm Lincoln, NE
Rating:
This is an excellent game, my wife and I play it all the time. It is the most fun when played with an entire group of people because the routes become harder. But it is also a fun game when just played by two or three people.

91.) Lots of Fun
Reviewed by: book lover Carmel, IN USA
Rating:
We play this with our 8 year old son. It is a lot of fun and an enjoyable way to learn some geography. We have now added some of the expansion packs. Our son does very well at this game and picked it up quickly. He is a good game player and can plan strategies. It may be too much for children any younger. It is a great family game.

92.) very addicting
Reviewed by: book eater Onekama, MI USA
Rating:
This game is totally worth the price. My husband and I play it at least once a week with our 14 yr old son and friends. It's always a challenge yet simple enough for everyone. Such a nice thing to have my son and his friends look forward to something other than video games and the computer. You have to love anything that brings back personal interaction between kids and adults.




















93.) Best new game EVER!!!!
Reviewed by: Mr. mojo USA
Rating:
My daughter introduced this game to us last week and ever since then that is our game of choice. We have our traditional games that we always play, those are now collecting dust. I try new games once in awhile but I am a hard sell and I uaually return to the old favorites. I bought A Ticket To Ride for myself as I do not want to ever be without it!! I love it because my 8 year old loves it, my 16 year old loves it, it spans generations, and we can play with just 2 players no need to have company over. I am NOT a Monopoly lover and this is nothing like Monopoly!! The game itself is beautiful, the train cars are fun to handle as are the beautiful cards. I would suggest getting the expansion pack Ticket to Ride USA 1910 Expansionit replaces the train car and destination cards with bigger regulation size cards. I have been told by others if you can only have one Ticket To Ride, this is absolutely the one to have, Days Of Wonder. It is so east to totally get into this game! Other reviewers have described the game beautifully so I wont try and add my own, but if you are teetering on the edge...jump right in, you will NOT be sorry!!

94.) Excellent!
Reviewed by: Book Lover
Rating:
My husband and I got hooked on this game right away. We brought it home to play with the family and everyone loved it! My sister-in-law, who is a teacher, said it would be a pretty good game to teach kids geography as well. Overall, great game. Would definitely recommend it!

95.) Great Game!
Reviewed by: Cousin Vinny Terra Firma
Rating:
This is a wonderful game for 2-5 players (best with more than 2 players), easy to learn, and takes 30-60 min playing time. Never gets boring and moves quickly!

96.) Ticket to Ride
Reviewed by: Rachel Riley
Rating:
This is a great game! My family and I (we're all over the age of 18) love it and play it every time we get together. It's definitely not for younger kids. It's a pretty easy game to pick up and teach others who have never played before. The only bummer is that only up to 5 people can play at once! We just wish at least 6 could play. I wouldn't even try to explain the directions here because it might sound a little silly but it really is a fun game!

97.) Monopoly-like Mania Fun
Reviewed by: E. Sullivan Washington, DC
Rating:
I have to admit that I have become addicted to the Ticket to Ride games in a very short time. The basic premise of the game allows the player to earn points by completing connected train routes. I compare it to Monopoly in that you have to plan which route will work best with the amount of trains you have vs. which properties will you buy based on the amount of money you have. They both involve strategy, but Ticket to Ride will never turn into a 'marathon' game as eventually the players will run out of trains quicker than Monopoly players would lose their money. So, to recap - it's a fast-paced strategic game that will definitely keep you entertained, especially if you have a fondness for travel.

At this point, my favorite is the original US version as it takes longer to build the routes and it requires more thought out approaches. I would highly recommend the add-on purchase of the 1910 cards to enhance game play. Without the purchase of these cards, I have to say the only negative was the mini-size cards that came with this version of the game. Fortunately, I purchased the 1910 expansion/add-on at the same time and just automatically use those cards in lieu of the mini ones that came with the game.

98.) If you like Settlers, You'll like Ticket to Ride
Reviewed by: J. Read California
Rating:
Love this game! We've introduced so many people to it who have all loved it to. We are big Settlers of Catan players and its a big trend with out friends to play Settlers. And I feel Ticket to Ride is just as great and anyone who likes Settlers will like it. I bet it will be the next big hit with our friends!

99.) Grab your Ticket to Ride. You won't be disappointed.
Reviewed by: JR Miami, FL
Rating:
This is one of the most fun board games I have ever played. The game takes minutes to teach and from there the strategies to win are endless. It's also one of the most original games I've ever played. Very different from all the other typical board games you might have played like monopoly, life, sorry, etc., The packaging and design is great. The board is sturdy and well decorated. You get tons of little plastic trains along w/ some extras in case you lose one or two along the way. I wish the cards could have been a little bigger but it's nothing that detracts from the overall game. The cards even have symbols on them so if you're colorblind you can tell the difference between cards. Nice touch. Overall, a great family game. A great game to play w/ friends who have never played "different" board games. My wife and I are addicted to this game. She loves playing it and that says a lot b/c she is not into board games that much. I highly recommend.

100.) Super fun!
Reviewed by: monkeykupo Cambridge, MA United States
Rating:
I first played this game at 2am at a New Year's Eve party (not sober to say the least) and still had a blast. It was easy to figure out and fun to play. For those engineering geeks out there, this is the traveling salesman problem (an NP hard problem) as a board game.

Regarding the dominant strategy (that long northern route), I've beaten people who have completed that route, but it was very close. You might want to consider the expansion pack of cards if you play with people who go for the easier win.

101.) all aboard...
Reviewed by: jane.l sd
Rating:
great game! the concept is simple- collect train cards and build rails to your secret destination(s)- but winning is hard! we first learned to play in <30 minutes by reading the directions ourselves, but it takes less than 10 minutes to teach others how to play once you know. lots of strategy involved, and if you play with 5 ppl, its a race to see who takes up the valuable routes first!

102.) Glad I bought my Ticket
Reviewed by: Random Gamer Indianapolis, IN USA
Rating:
This game is great fun for all ages. I've played it with adult groups and with kids and everyone has had a great time.

103.) Ticket to Ride- USA game
Reviewed by: Christy USA
Rating:
This is such a fun game to play. I love it because their is strategy involved but it is easy to explain it and play it right off the bat. Their isn't a lot of instructions. We love it and also played it online for 6 month strait after we got it. Great for all ages and learn about where the different states are and places.

104.) Great Fun!
Reviewed by: Karen S. Emelander Hudsonville, MI USA
Rating:
I ordered this game after playing it with my Sister-in-law and her kids. It has become my new favorite game. The more I play the more strategy I use. The directions are a little daunting when you first begin, but after a few games the game moves along a lot faster. After coaxing my son and his girlfriend into trying it with me one night, I was invited over to his girlfriend's house the next day to play it with her family. She said she "woke up and wanted to play it again".
The game takes about 45 minutes to an hour (a little longer for new players) and is more fun--and more challenging--the more players you have.

105.) Great time playing it
Reviewed by: Jelly Santiago, CL
Rating:
This is a board game that won't dissapoint you.
Is not violent or agressive. This one has a USA map on the board and a lot of trailways all over it to connect a pair of cities.
It's a fun game for everyone.

106.) Great fun
Reviewed by: A. Chambers
Rating:
This is a really fun game. Game time isn't long, so you have more time to play it more.

107.) Ticket to Ride is a Great Family Game
Reviewed by: Deano Lebanon, Ohio
Rating:
We love this game. It is fun for the whole family to play. The nice thing about it is that you can play a game in about 20-30 minutes unlike Monopoly that drags on forever.

My 8 year-old son enjoys the game but my 11 year-old son really accels at it by developing strategies to win. There is enough luck involved to keep it interesting and no game is ever alike.

The game quality is excellent with colorful game cards, well-designed game board and a sturdy box.

108.) Love This Game
Reviewed by: Sarah C. Taylor Idaho
Rating:
We first played this game at a friend's house and it was so much fun, so I ordered it for our family for Christmas. The prices online are much cheaper than buying this game at a game store. I liked that the game only takes about 30-40 minutes to play, it doesn't go on forever. I'm excited to introduce this game to my family.

109.) All a board
Reviewed by: honest2u San Diego, CA United States
Rating:
So I found this while I was searching for Rail Baron, an awesome train game that is no longer being made and no longer cheap to find used. Rail Baron was like a cross between this and Monopoly, but there are no dollars involved with this game. I'm impressed with the quality of the cards and board overall, it's built to last. On the educational side, kids can learn geography of major cities in North America, and how to pronounce Sault St. Marie (it's not "salt"). But enough about that, this game is loads of fun, easy to learn, and doesn't take all day to setup or play a full game. The only downside I see with this is that it's only a five player game. If this were six-player, it would be even more awesome, and I'm not sure if the expansion enables additional players. Ultimately, I this game is a healthy and financially satisfying alternative to Rail Baron...and even better if you don't want the fake money alternative.

110.) Don't tell the kids it's educational!
Reviewed by: Gramma to 3 boys Houston, TX USA
Rating:
We bought this game to play with a 9 year old grandson who loves board games. We are sick of Monopoly and Clue, etc. I found this game mentioned in a recent issue of Shop Smart magazine and immediately looked it up on Amazon. This game, the basic US version, was fun and interesting and taught our grandson names of the cities plus how to spell them. The game is fun, fast, moves have to be strategic; there is no play money involved (no banking yeh!) and the competition between players is more civil as the board is large, the train routes are many and options for your turn are many.

We also bought Ticket to Ride Europe to play with adult friends and it was also a lot of fun--although we had a bit of trouble with the city names, as they are spelled for locals. Also played this version with grandson and he caught on fast and learned to find the unusually-spelled city names.

We plan to buy more of these games for our other grandsons.

111.) Great game for anyone
Reviewed by: NeuroNerd Berkeley, CA
Rating:
I played this game with friends at a Game Night and then decided to ask for it for Christmas. It's a great game for kids through seniors (especially seniors who like trains!) Kids can learn about US Geography and sharpen their strategic thinking skills.

112.) great game
Reviewed by: L. Martin USA
Rating:
My husband asked for this for Christmas after playing it at a friend's house. We have played it numerous times since then. This is a fun fun game! easy to learn, easy to explain to someone else. Even with two players it is fun, and it's not easy to find good two person board games. I highly recommend this game.

113.) fun game for 5
Reviewed by: D. Olmstead Syracuse, NY, USA
Rating:
we've had a lot of fun playing this game. and we're learning the location of a few more cities also. my sister in law said "i'm hooked! i love this game!"

114.) Love it!
Reviewed by: Rachael B. D. Billings
Rating:
My family loves this game. It takes strategy, but even people like me with little to no logic skills can still play and enjoy it.

115.) Love this game!
Reviewed by: cocoa-nut
Rating:
I bought this on amazon after having played it only once with friends - and sent the purchase directly home so I could play with my family over the holidays. We played it a few times a day and all dreamed in cars and colors every night! Wonderful game :)

116.) Love it!
Reviewed by: veggie mama Katy, TX
Rating:
My husband, daughter (9), and I just can't get enough of this great game. It's fun for us all... even though I've lost all three times... I'm still working on my strategy! : )

117.) Train Game
Reviewed by: C. Wallace
Rating:
I played this game at a friends house and every time I looked for it the game was too expensive. I got a great deal on it and it is one of the most fun board games I have ever played!

118.) Ticket to ride!
Reviewed by: Scott Zawalski
Rating:
I purchased this as a gift for an avid board gamer and it was a great hit. The game is easy to grasp and allows for multiple strategies to become the victor. It is somewhat similar to the old plane game Take off but a lot more fun. One of the other selling points for me was the number of players required. With just two people you are off and running!


119.) Great Game
Reviewed by: Dan Lititz, PA
Rating:
Got for son for x-mas, just turned 7. He has always been thrilled with trains, and loves board games. Opened up on X-mas, was so surprised when he seen all the contents, and mapping. 3 days after the shock of the Wii wore off we started playing during his winter break. Now play at least once a week. He is getting better with the strategy of the game and point scoring. Can play in a short period of time, moves along fast once you learn how to play. It is a little more expensive then average board game, feel that is well worth it.

120.) A Great Game!
Reviewed by: momofthree Colorado, USA
Rating:
We bought this game when our son wanted it for Christmas. It is a great game that requires a bit of strategy, but not too much set up time. The game is fun and entertaining, and allows for a total of five players to play instead of just four. This is great for us, since we have five family members. Depending on the number of players, the game can take anywhere from 40 to 70 minutes. In the last five weeks or so, we have probably played the game a total of twenty times, and we keep choosing Ticket To Ride again and again.

121.) Great game, worth the money
Reviewed by: B. Landes Indiana
Rating:
This is a game my whole family enjoyed even though some of them do not like board games.

122.) Great
Reviewed by: Valri L. Western
Rating:
This was a gift for my son and daughter-in-law for Christmas. They loved it and play it often with friends while they are at college. It arrived quickly after I ordered it! Thanks!

123.) Ticket to ride is great fun
Reviewed by: jem
Rating:
We bought this game for our son in-law. We have played it and every time it is exciting. It takes planning and problem solving to win the game. Sometimes when you think you have won, another player sneeks past you for the win. It is an enjoyable time for the whole family.

124.) Wow! Fun! We play it 3-5 times/week
Reviewed by: Kayleen Parke
Rating:
This has been the funnest game we have purchased in a very long time.
Our teenagers love it. It is a game we can play as a family and increase family time.

Thank you
kp

125.) awesome game
Reviewed by: jadescyco galt, ca
Rating:
fun game, easy to learn, takes a while to get started but after the first time game moves quickly, this is a friends and family game. would recommend for any game lovers or anyone wanting to try something different.

126.) Fun for the WHole Family
Reviewed by: Deborah Bushey
Rating:
This is a great game of strategy mixed with geography. Our family loves to play this game. Wonderful family fun.

127.) Makes you think!!!
Reviewed by: southern fried rocker Charlotte, NC USA
Rating:
Great game for the family or friends to play. I would recommend to any over the age of 13+ years. It keeps the friends coming back for more!!

128.) LOVE IT!
Reviewed by: K Frerichs WA
Rating:
I was introduced to this game at Christmas by my husband's family. We played at least once a day (sometime more). It is the best board game ever! It makes you think, but not too hard. I'm not one of those people who likes to think a lot and strategize during a board game. I'd rather play for fun and socialization. This game is perfect because it allows for that strategizing that some people crave, but not to the extent where you have to constantly be thinking and are left unable to have "fun". Every game turns out different, so it never gets boring. I've played it with as few as 2 people and as many as 5 people, and it is a great game either way. My only criticism would be that the location of the cities in not quite geographically correct for all of them (example: Duluth, MN is in mid to southern MN on the board instead of Northern MN), but it gives you the general idea. I now have my own game, so my husband and I can play it together. I can't wait to get the Europe version just to add a little diversity.

129.) Be prepared to stay up late. . . so fun!!
Reviewed by: Ticket To Ride Fan Colorado
Rating:
My husband and I have played and average of 3 games per night during the entire Olympics. . .becuase of our love for both, we have been really tired in the morning. Great fun, great stay-home-date-night, and easy to invite people along since you can play with up to 5. Enjoy

130.) Ready to climb aboard?
Reviewed by: Barf Anchorage, AK
Rating:
Was looking for a new board game for family evenings and found it in Ticket to Ride. Rules are simple and straight forward and can be picked up as you go along. The kids (6,9,13) loved it, so did the adults.
By having different tickets (missions) each game, the scope for each player changes every time, so this game will never get boring! We love it!

131.) Ticket to Ride - US
Reviewed by: Barbara Gingrich Wilmington, DE
Rating:
Great game for older kids and adults. We've played several times, and it always takes longer than the estimated time given on the game, but it's fun and the time passes quickly.

132.) Fun game for a rainy day
Reviewed by:
Rating:
This is a great game. I had a lot of fun with it. I suggest you buy it.

133.) Fun, easy and yet complex enough
Reviewed by: Olle Pellijeff Chicago, IL, USA
Rating:
Got this game after a friend recommended it. Play with the missus and it is good fun for sure. Easy and quick game yet complex enough to be played again and again. Perhaps a little lopsided at times due to long rail routes scoring so mych higher points than short ones, something that they seems to have addressed in the Europe edition.

134.) An excellent, light rail board game
Reviewed by: impostal22 NY
Rating:
I bought this game because I read that it plays well for small groups as well as large. I hoped for the best and bought it.

Ticket to Ride really plays well for heads up (2 players), all the way up to the maximum number allowed (5 players). The beauty of the game is that you just have to adjust your strategy, given circumstance. And unlike many other board games, the number of players manages to play as just another circumstance you have to deal with.

It's easy to learn (20 minutes to learn yourself - then 10 to teach others). And it's over in 45 minutes, whether you're playing with two people or with 5 (at least I found this to be true).

It's heavy on strategy, even if there is some randomness here and there. You're given random routes to choose from (so the randomness doesn't really force a specific action, you still have to make a decision). And sometimes you'll notice a car you're looking to get just isn't coming up, in which case you just adjust to circumstance!

135.) So much fun!
Reviewed by: J. Severynse
Rating:
I bought this for my son for his 11th birthday, and our entire family loves this game! Buy it, you'll love it!

136.) Great game
Reviewed by: Keith R. Smith Nampa, Idaho
Rating:
This game is great for me and my wife to play. Friends enjoy coming over and playing multiple games together......Great game!

137.) Why not 5 stars?
Reviewed by: Casual Reviewer Provo, UT USA
Rating:
THis game only got 4 due to the luck factor. No matter how well you play, you could just draw bad cards everytime. That is it. Other than that, this is a wonderful, wonderful game. This IS the perfect game to get people into Eurogames like Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne. Easy to explain - 5 minutes tops. Fast to play - 1 hour. Good strategy. Good theme. You even feel like you are being educated at least a little bit in the area of US geography.

Bottom Line: Best family board game in existance. Anyone can learn to play it relatively quickly.

138.) Ticket To Ride is clever while being fun
Reviewed by: Reader/Gamer North East, USA
Rating:
Ticket to ride can be played from 3 players on up and has quite a bit of strategy needed to win. However if you are young, you can still play by tying to create just the trips you get. The game will start slow, but the choice of one of three actions you can do can make turns happen quickly once everyone understands the basic rules.

As you get better at the game you find that there several different methods you can use to win, such as picking up extra trips, having the longest continuous train(or route). Hiding where you want to go, or trying to create the longing train from several directions at once.

With all the pieces in the game (each player starts with 45 train pieces) there is the possibility that you may loose some of the them. Its all ok as long as everyone starts with the same number of train elements. You can modify the game to make it go faster by having less pieces be used and can even do a team type game where you split a color between two team mates.

The counter board for the score that goes around the table is clever and works very well. It makes keeping track of the score counting easier..

Its a very good game to have.

139.) Great change from the norm
Reviewed by: msbeach Denver, CO
Rating:
We have only played a few times, but have really enjoyed it and like that it can be played with only 2 players. The instructions seem complex at first, but once you get going it's really fairly simple to play. However it isn't simple to win -- it takes quite a bit of strategy and isn't just about luck.

140.) fun family game
Reviewed by: Dorothy Neville Seattle, WA USA
Rating:
Fun game for the family (10 and up?). Mostly a good mix of randomness and strategy. At first it seemed too random for my competitive nature, but once we really understood the game, more strategies became apparent. I'd guess ages 10 and up would enjoy, perhaps some younger kids too. I don't think I'd enjoy playing with younger kids though because it's a long game (at least an hour) and I play to win. My son is 13 and can handle that (and beat me).

141.) Great Fun
Reviewed by: NJB
Rating:
Played this game first with our daughter and son-in-law. Good way to spend a cold Sunday afternoon. However, they had the Europe version, we ordered the US. The Europe version was a little more challenging, more interesting. (Tunnels and ferries.) If playing with younger children, the U.S. version would be great. We preferred the Europe version.

142.) Ticket to Ride Board Game Review
Reviewed by: Strategy gamer Chicago
Rating:
The game design is excellent; learning to play requires under five minutes! There is plenty of subtle strategy for advanced board gamers. You can play it with children of 8 years or more I believe and they would enjoy the game as well. Porbably one of the top board games in the last 20 years.

Having said this, there is one key defect: the cards are too small and are also wearing out quickly. I refuse to buy another entire game just to acquire a new set of cards. The game mfr. has to resolve this issue pretty soon or the good will of the customer base will be lost.

143.) Ticket to Ride Review
Reviewed by: RC_Slacks USA
Rating:
I like playing board games with family and friends and do have a small collection. I did some reviews on Ticket to Ride which came highly recommended. I have only played the game twice since I bought it last month and was pleased. The first time my wife, 5 year old, 8 year old, and I played. The rules were simple enought to follow and I helped my 5 year old along. The 8 year caught on pretty quick, but needed some guidence along the way. We kept it simple and I believe the kids did enjoy it, but they haven't asked to play again since. The second time I played it was over Thanksgiving with the adults in the family. They caught on quickly and it became a very competitive game. Over all it was fun, but the next day, they went back to playing Mega-Monopoly.

If you are looking for a game with simple rules and want some competitiveness (if thats a word), then I would recommend it for you, or if you want to teach you kids about the USA and the location of major citys then I would recommend it. If you want something more detailed and thought processing then you might want to look at some other game.

144.) Get on board please!
Reviewed by: Peter J. Mateja Madison, WI United States
Rating:
I can't really top any of the other excellent reviews for this game. However, I'd like to toss my hat into the ring and recommend the Ticket to Ride series to anyone looking for a well designed family game to beat the usual crowd (Monopoly, etc). It's fun, replayable, rewards experienced players, but has some luck to make it interesting. TTR even masks some fine educational merits in a pretty package... geography, math, tactical and strategic thinking.


145.) Great Game - one problem
Reviewed by: Gurkie Fairfax, VA
Rating:
The first in the Alan Moon Ticket To Ride series is a great game. TtR America is really a game where you are searching for the best path and trying to take it before your competitors do. In addition it requires you to find a path and on some level manage your resources (cards). When we first got this game my friends and I played it incessantly.

The one problem with this game is that a very strong strategy for winning also makes it a lot less fun to play. One of my friends who plays it always goes for the finish all the 6 length train strategy which considerably shortens the game and often does not give the other players enough time to complete their destinations before the game ends. We have found that if multiple people try and get the 6 length trains it balances the game out again.

146.) Good, but maybe better?
Reviewed by: Emily Schroeder Calgary
Rating:
I had read several reviews on this game and had very high hopes for it. Everyone said it was an amazing game and if you were to ask my boyfriend, he would highly agree with it being amazing. I think the key to this game is having more than two people, which is what has made it less fun for me to play. We kind of developed our own rules for making it a two player game (we only take 10 destination cards instead of the whole pile). Otherwise our scores were in the negative.

We have played it probably a dozen times and it makes more and more sense the more you play it. It is kind of in the genre of the game "Risk" but with Trains. Now, mind you, my opinion is not my boyfriends opinion. He has been noted to be up until 1am playing "the Train Game" by HIMSELF. He is 40 years old and He LOVES this game and will play it incessantly. So, he would say it is the best game he has ever played (and his game collection is close to 20+ board games) and mine could be slightly tilted because every time we hang out, Ticket to Ride is part of the plan :) It is the birthday gift that keeps on giving.


***I am revising my previous statement. We didn't understand all of the rules properly and we were playing the game incorrectly. Now that we figured it out, I would highly recommend it. Much better when you understand the directions!

147.) Great game to play with others!
Reviewed by: R. Hess Vernal, Utah
Rating:
I really enjoy playing this game with family and friends. It is even fun to play with older children. I was first introduced to this game with the europe version - I really liked that version better than the USA one because of the tunnels you can do. But this is a great starter one to get you going and aquainted to the game. I will definately be buying more versions of this game! Only gripe is - cards are small.

148.) Ticket to Ride Board Game - Family loves it.
Reviewed by: Debbie W Bay Area - CA
Rating:
Game arrived on the day promised and we immediately took it with us on vacation (just the contents, not the box). We played it for the first time with our kids (20-26 yrs) and their friends and everyone really enjoyed it. They even asked to play it in the evening when they were too tired to go "out on the town". That impressed me. We're slowly learning the strategic elements of the game, and I am definitely sharpening my US geography (this is a huge plus for me).

149.) Fun game!
Reviewed by: k Hudner "film buff" Glastonbury, CT USA
Rating:
This is a very good game for up to five people. It is a strategic game on three levels, with a scoring system that keeps you guessing as to who the real winner is until the gmae is over. Our adult son introduced it to us and we've played it with company since then. It provides a nice evening's entertainment.

150.) great Game
Reviewed by: Javier Wong Tong
Rating:
Great game, really fun to play, very easy to explain/understand the rules = lotsa fun

151.) Ticket to Ride
Reviewed by: CateyCate USA
Rating:
This game is quick to learn and fun to play. You can play with 2, 3, 4 or 5 people so it's good for varying group sizes. The European version adds a few extra 'twists' but this is the basic version and the game play is very similar to the Europe version. So if you have one of them, that's probably OK - at least for beginners or casual gamers.



152.) Simple family fun!
Reviewed by: Dancer in DC Hyattsville, MD USA
Rating:
Ticket to Ride has all the hallmarks of a classic family game. It's easy to learn, easy to play, and doesn't take a really long time. But it also offers a myriad of strategy possibilities, so it has great "replayability." I think this would be good for most kids as well, teaching them some math and geography skills. (Just keep in mind the train pieces are small and not appropriate for very young children.)

One other thing I appreciate about the game is that you can play with just 2 people. But be warned - it plays very differently when you add more players to the mix!

If you want a simple strategy game that's beautifully designed, this is for you. I liked it so much, I bought it as a gift for my brother.

153.) Very Fun Intro To "Eurogaming"
Reviewed by: M. Sommer Wisconsin USA
Rating:
I'm not much of a boardgame guy, but after playing the demo for TICKET TO RIDE on Xbox Live, I decided to pick up a copy of the actual board game. I'm glad I did.

So far, I've introduced this to two totally different groups of people (my family and colleagues at work) and both of them enjoyed themselves immensely. It's very easy to grasp the rules, and while there is some competition between players, it's definitely not a cut-throat experience.

Much, much more entertaining than traditional American games like Monopoly (at least for me).


154.) Fun for Everyone
Reviewed by: Vancouver97 Payson, UT USA
Rating:
I am very happy with Ticket to Ride. I play it with my friends (I'm 31) and with my children (the youngest is 5). My kids love it! We play differently than in the official rules and Daddy helps them decide what to do (and I don't always win). A lot of fun for everyone!

155.) a fun game for up to 5 players
Reviewed by: jam canner York, PA
Rating:
We had played this with some friends who were moving away, so I got it for my husband for Christmas. He and my siblings and brother in law played it 3 times Christmas Day. It was the first time my brother and sister played it, and they said they were addicted. My sister even called later to find out where I'd found it.
My complaint is that the cards are very small, but you make due. It really is a fun game. It takes about an hour to play the first time when you have 4 or 5 people, but you can get the game down to 40 minutes, maybe less, when you all know what's going on. It goes pretty quickly if everyone understands it.

156.) Ticket to Ride USA game
Reviewed by: Teressa Zobrost
Rating:
This is a great early teen and adult game. We have had fun playing this since Christmas. The only thing that I found was the board came apart after only playing it a few times. We just taped it on the back side and went on to play. It only takes about an hour and there's an end to the game. Very fun!

157.) Family Game
Reviewed by: S. L. Mueller Almaden Valley
Rating:
I played Ticket to Ride with four of our grandchildren - aged 7 to 14. We played steadily for half the day and had fun. The eager-beaver middle child learned about hanging on to cards and building up long suits in order to score more points - as opposed to immediate gratification by gaining small distances and getting fewer points. That seemed like a good lesson.

158.) Good fun
Reviewed by: Thee Zee Utah
Rating:
We did enjoy this game, but misses having the bridges available that are in the European version when a path is not available to use. It is a great family game.

159.) Aunt to Five
Reviewed by: jetgirl
Rating:
I chose this boardgame for my niece after carefully reading many reviews. I was able to play the game with her and was a little bit disappointed. I was expecting a game with more strategy. My favorite game for all ages is Blokus, since even little people can give it a try without being able to read, and Blokus is all strategy and no luck.



160.) Fun for awhile, replay value dwindles fast
Reviewed by: D. Cerna
Rating:
Easy & fun game for awhile. But does get repetitive and boring. Catan or Roborally better choice for the money.

161.) Neat game if you can figure it out!
Reviewed by: MGULA Howell, MI
Rating:
I bought this for my son for Christmas on the recommendation of all the reviews here. I was so excited to get it and play. But we had such a hard time figuring it out. The directions are very poor and I had to go on to the website to get more info from a critic review. My husband finally figured it out and they do enjoy it, but not as much as anticipated.

162.) games
Reviewed by: grandma OBX, N.C.
Rating:
This was a gift to an out of town grandson, his Mom said it was a good game and the family enjoyed it. I have no other feedback.

163.) Not great, not bad
Reviewed by: James A. Santos
Rating:
Pretty fun game though not very deep or complicated. Maybe I haven't played enough but winning seems to be based a bit more on luck than strategy, at least compared to other games out there.

Features of Ticket to Ride

October 2, 1900. 28 years to the day that noted London eccentric, Phileas Fogg accepted and then won a L20,000 bet that he could travel "Around the World in 80 Days". Now at the dawn of the century it was time for a new "impossible journey". Some old friends have gathered to celebrate Fogg's impetuous and lucrative gamble--and to propose a new wager of their own. The stakes: $1 Million in a winner-takes-all competition. The objective: to see which of them can travel by rail to the most cities in North America--in just 7 days. The journey begins immediately. Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure where players collect cards of various types of train cars that enable them to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America. Included in this popular game made by Days of Wonder is a detailed board, game cards, help cards, rules, train miniatures, and more!

Join your friends in a race to claim railway routes across North America! Ticket to Ride, an award-winning strategy game, challenges players ages eight and older to complete multiple train routes connecting major cities. As miniature trains begin to populate the board map of North America, secret city-to-city rail connections are completed or hopelessly blocked by merciless competitors. Providing an enticing mixture of strategy and luck for groups of two to five players, Ticket to Ride squeezes the journey of a lifetime into a mere hour or less.

Ages: 8+ Requires: 2 to 5 players

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Railway race game balances strategy and luck of the draw. The Bad: Streamlined North American version less complex than its European counterpart. In a Nutshell: Game play often results in surprise endings.

Designed for two to five players, this highly-strategic board game will have players vying for train routes. View larger.

Secret Rail Destinations Keep Everyone Guessing
All the action takes place on a detailed, color-illustrated board map of North America. Newbies will want to dedicate 10 to 15 minutes to the well-organized instruction manual, then pass out miniature trains, train-car cards, and destination tickets to each player. Game play is straightforward and consists of only three possible moves per turn: drawing an additional train-car card, drawing a destination ticket, or building a train route.

The train-car cards are color-coded to match specific railway routes, so the basic idea is to collect multiple cards of the same color and then claim a route to score points. Destination tickets present an added challenge by assigning secret routes such as "Seattle to Montreal" and awarding bonus points for completion of these routes. Because the tickets are kept secret, each player's plan for railway domination won't be revealed until the end!

Ride the Rails in Less than an Hour
Because Ticket to Ride only requires two players and can be played in less than an hour, opportunities abound for trying different strategies. While your success relies somewhat on the luck of the draw, part of the fun is trying different strategies like drawing extra destination tickets, discarding difficult tickets, or vying for the longest continuous route (worth 10 points).

Surprise Winners and Reversals of Fortune
Once the miniature trains are played out, each player's destination tickets are revealed. Because an incomplete route can result in a loss of as many as 22 points, last-minute reversals of fortune are commonplace, and victory is never guaranteed.

While those who are already familiar with the more intricate European version of Ticket to Ride might be disappointed by this simpler version, beginners are sure to find it a wonderful introduction to the Days of Wonder board game series. Purchase of the game includes access to online game play, where additional maps and game variants await.

What's in the Box
One board map of North American train routes, 240 colored train cars (including additional replacement cars), 144 illustrated cards, five wooden scoring markers, one rules booklet, one Days of Wonder online access ticket.

Hatch elaborate plans on how to secure railway domination! View larger.

The game features real-life locations across the North American continent. View larger.

1.) Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure where players collect cards of various types of train cars that enable them to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America.;
2.) 2-5 Players * Age 8+ * 30-60 minutes 2004 Game of the Year in Germany "Once you play this game, you'll never play TransAmerica again.;
3.) It's a fantastic medium-weight game - one that plays equally well with two to five players.;
4.) * 1 Board map of North American train routes * 225 Colored Train Cars * 144 Illustrated cards * 5 Wooden Scoring Markers * 1 Rules booklet * 1 Days of Wonder Online access number;

Package Height x Length x Width: 11.8 in. x 11.8 in. x 11.7 in.
Package Weight: 3.25 lbs.

Accessories for Ticket to Ride