Ticket to Ride is a fun and educational game specially designed for kids aged six and above, but we think adults will feel nostalgic when they play. With straightforward rules and cross-country connectivity, it’s easy to learn and offers a perfect balance of strategy and luck.

Many consider it one of the best board games, making it a must-try for anyone looking for a fun and exciting gaming experience.

So, how long does the ticket to the Ride usually take? Is it a long game? Is it a quick game? Is it a good time pass activity for you or your friends/family? We know a significant load of queries is going on in your mind. 

Let’s dive right into it to seek answers to your questions!

1. An Overview Of The Board Game

So, each player has a job in this game. They all have a common goal, but it is not a matter of cooperation. Instead, it is a matter of competition.

What happens here is that a player aspires to build the most extended railway connection, which would connect different popular cities worldwide.

You will have several cards to use. Depending on which card you get, you will either augment your railway track further or get two cities you must join using the right strategy.

Keep in mind that you cannot leave destinations with incomplete tracks. If you do so, you will lose points; if this happens, you will know your fate.

All players will have a specific colour assigned to them, or they can select the colour they desire and then play.

2. One Of The Most Complex Board Games: Beginning Rules 

On videos and some sites, players mention that they find the rules extremely hard to understand and are confused about what to do next at every stage.

It is up to the individual to perceive the rules; for some, it is easy, of course, while for others, it is a complicated task. We will try to explain the game’s rules and how to play them, most simply to facilitate your learning experience.

2.1. Start By Setting Up

First, lay the board in the middle; once you have done this, choose the colour you want to decide for yourself. The game has five colours: Green, Black, Yellow, Red, and Blue.

In this game, you can choose at least two players and up to five—nothing more than that. To have a wonderful experience, try getting as many friends or family members as possible.

Once you’ve chosen which colour you want to represent, select the scoring marker, your selected colour, and place it on 100. Because 100 is considered as the starting point for the game. Score counting in this game is a little bit different.

2.2. Shuffle The Cards

The Train Cards need to be shuffled well. Remember to keep them face down and not look at them. You aren’t allowed to look at the cards upfront at the very beginning of the game.

Once you’re done shuffling, give four cards to each player. Remember to look at the front of your card, but do not show your cards to the other players just like you do in any other game involving cards.

2.3. Front Up Face Cards

Once you’ve completed the previous steps, you will place the cards face-up, lined perfectly against the board. Special rules apply here as well.

Now, if there are three Wild Cards out of these five cards (you will recognize these cards as they have a train in the middle with multicoloured pop-ups at the sides), please discard all of the five cards and replace them.

2.4. Destination Tickets

Now, the Brown-like cards, which are the destination cards, are shuffled(without looking at the front of them) and are handed out to the players. 

Each player is given three destination cards.

2.5. Railway Routes

Each of these destination tickets shows you a route you must complete, and by this, we mean you must make the railway connection by the end of the game.

If any of these routes given to you seem unattainable, discard them right then and there. So you will not lose points at the end of the game.

2.6. Start With One Player

You can start with one player, any player, and then go clockwise with the order.

Taking parts is pretty simple. You will perform different actions that start here. It would be best if you took specific actions, and we will explain them briefly.

3. Playing Rules: Actions

Once you’re done setting the game and distributing it, now is the time to play. Now, in your own hands, if there are matching cards that match the number of blocks required to connect two cities, you can easily place your blocks on that coloured route.

Once you play these cards, place them at the sides and do not use them again.

Wild Cards (Multicoloured Cards) have already been mentioned in our article above. If you have these cards, you can use them instead of all matching cards to complete your intention.

We will illustrate this with an example. Suppose you have two red cards and need three to complete the route (since the route has three blocks). If you have a multicoloured card, you can use that instead.

In this manner, you will have three cards, two red and one multicolour and still fill in the route with your blocks and fill in.

For any player who has already played the board game, we are sure you are familiar with the grey/white empty spaces. If you see these, you have to take the following action.

Since there are no cards of that colour, depending on the number of empty spaces, you have to see if you have that number of matching coloured cards (they can be of any colour; they have to be of the same uniform colour), and you can fill those spaces.

To illustrate, if you have three grey spaces and three blue cards, you can use your blocks to fill these three spaces. In this case, you can also use the multicoloured card as you have before.

Remember that you can only join one route for each turn. You cannot join two different routes in one turn. That’ll be against the rules.

4. Card Picking Rules

Do you remember that we placed the five cards front-facing aligned with the deck? You will get to pick from them. Many rules apply here as well.

But here, the rules are not as coarse as the ones above. This is pretty easy. You must choose from the cards placed in line or the stack with their backs facing up (where you don’t know the card’s value).

If you choose a multicoloured card from the five placed, you cannot select the same card again in the following rounds.

You can choose the other coloured cards without any problems and continue playing.

If you choose the card from the stacked ones, where you cannot see the card you select, and you happen to get a hold of a multicoloured card, then you can choose a multicoloured card from the five lined up.

Depending on your card’s colours, you can choose. Wcolorsst you closely examine your cards before making a calculative decision and choosing whatever you want.

5. Calculating The Scores

You will know when to wind up the game when any player has a maximum of two blocks left. After this, all the players will get to play only once.

You must proceed to count each player’s score. First, you must show how many destination cards you have. Do you remember that in the beginning, we mentioned that you would lose points if you didn’t complete a destination?

This is precisely what will happen: the points mentioned on that card will be lost if you have an incomplete destination. Calculate all the points this way.

For all the destinations you have completed, you will gain the points mentioned on the destination cards; if you don’t complete them, you lose the points.

When choosing the winner with the longest path, it has to be where a rail is ongoing and connective, subsequently, the longest route.

6. How Long Does “Ticket To Ride” Take?

Since you’ve already studied the game’s structure in-depth, it should be evident now that it is long. We understand that you have much to consider when managing your time, and you might wonder whether to indulge in this game.

To put it into words, the length of time the game will last is tentative. It depends on how skilled the players are or how well they can achieve their goals with the cards.

It also depends on how easily the winner can be determined. If we can be honest, it all depends and is highly variable. However, in most cases, there is a specific time within which the game can be completed.

In most cases, the Ticket To Ride doesn’t last more than an hour. It should end somewhere near 45 minutes, if not an hour. So, a lot of time and brain cells go into the game.

Make sure you have the required amount of time to play.

7. Difficulty Level Of The Game

Another very subjective opinion. Let’s look into the matter objectively. The rules of the game need to be followed without missing any step. If you miss even one step, it could lead to confusion in the next step.

Sometimes, the colour of the tracks, the cards, and the blocks you have can be confusing. But with sheer practice and learning, any person can get the hang of it.

Each person’s learning pace is different, so it’s evident that how fast and how easy one finds doesn’t have to correspond with another person. Yet it could be a fun game if you sit and play patiently.

Considering all the influences, the game seems to be in the middle in terms of difficulty.

We wouldn’t call it highly energy-draining, nor would I say that it’s an easy-to-pick game. It’s more average when you consider the difficulty level.

Like most games, when you begin playing any game, whether outdoor or indoor, board games, brain games, or any other sort, the initial learning part is always tricky (at least for most people). Still, as time goes by and as you play more and more, you will be comfortable and skilled in playing the game.

8. What Are The Players Reviews About The Game?

Like every board game, this one also has its vices and goods. It’s the same with this game as well. It’s not perfect, but one of the greatest out there, according to the players.

Some players even say that Ticket to Ride made them like board games, while some say they resented it due to its complex game structure.

According to the players, the game revolves a lot around luck, which can sometimes outweigh the importance of skill. Although this may be true, the players need to make the optimal use of the cards that land in their hands.

As we’ve read on the internet from the users, they say developing skills is extremely important in this game to progress.

It is an incredible thrill to connect different cities by yourself.; It gives you a sense of superiority and a chance to tackle the game’s problems by constructing a vast rail channel.

Some players even stated that other than focusing on your route and winning the game by growing your network, it also has to do something with putting your enemy down. Throughout the game, you must also work toward blocking the path of your enemies.

Think about the XOXO game, where you do not let your opponent win while trying to beat yourself.

Aggregated to all of this is the fact that it teaches you something about the world maps. You might not have paid attention in your geography class, are we correct? But what you missed out there can be learned here.

Learning while having fun is different, so we are; therefore, it is worth all the hype and attention it receives.

9. Is It Worth Playing?

We’ve combined the reviews of people from all over the internet to elaborate briefly on how the game is. We have mentioned almost everything about the game.

So, with all these things, with all the rules, regulations, luck, tricks, and attitude, is the game worth it? Is it worth your time? Can you make good use of your time by playing it? Yes, definitely! You might not have realized it yet, or vice versa, but this game has too many good things to ignore.

Some parents laud the features of this game, saying they can play it with their children without worrying about anything. The children are using their brains and trying to figure things out, so they think it’s lovely to activate their kids’ brains.

The adults think the game has excellent meaning and potential. Because of its amazingness, it’s a go-to game for many.

The game has variants and suits the varied tastes of many people. The visual aesthetics are just a plus point to the game; they can get even a non-gamer interested in playing it.

This is one of those games where many people say they feel like coming back repeatedly to play and fulfil their inborn desire to win and complete their tickets.

We think it’s worth your time and every action you put into the game. You might not find one like a ticket to ride anywhere else. It’s a great way to spend your time right, even leisurely. It’s fun and educational, a perfect balance of both.

10. Where To Play Ticket To Ride? 

There are a good number of ways of playing this game. First, you can play this game online on your web browser, or you can even play it on Board Games Arena.

If you don’t want to do either, you can download the game from your Play Store and then play it.

Alternatively, you can purchase the board to play with your friends and family; you can order it online or find it in any gaming shops or malls near your locality.

11. Conclusion

To summarise, the approximate 60 minutes you spend playing the game will be fun and adventurous. Rivalry (a good one, we hope) will push each player to play more brilliantly and eloquently. 

Remember to read all the rules and regulations correctly, go step by step through the game, and do not miss anything. Everything has to be extremely precise, from the setup to the playing rules to counting the final points. 

Do not miss the card-picking rules; although they might seem less important, they are essential in determining who will win. Make sure your opponents are not cheating. 

As we’ve mentioned, this game has received numerous positive reviews. Some people even wish the complexities were increased because the more you play, the easier the game seems. 

So, make sure to pray to the universe to grant you good luck and wish that you get all of the sound cards, and even if you do get the not-so-good ones, remember to use the brain power you have! Strategy, planning, vigilance, and control all matter in the game world. 

Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by Khushahal Malakar