There are so many different types of games you can take on your next vacation that we wanted to take a look at the best travel card games specifically and break down their advantages and disadvantages. However, not all card games are created equal.
They range from collectible card games, that require purchasing booster packs that power up your deck, to a single deck of traditional playing cards, as well as hundreds of other descriptions in between. So it’s no small feat to just say, “I’m going to bring a card game on vacation.”
Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of taking card games on vacation as well as a list of some of the best travel card games that come highly recommended.
Table of Contents
- 1 Travel Card Game Advantages
- 2 Travel Card Game Disadvantages
- 3 Best Travel Card Game Recommendations
- 3.1 Exploding Kittens (20 mins, Age: 7+, 2-10 Players)
- 3.2 The Crew (20 mins, Age: 10+, 2-5 Players with a 2 Player Variant)
- 3.3 Sleeping Queens (20 mins, Age: 8+, 2-5 Players)
- 3.4 The Mind (20 Mins, Age: 8+, 2-4 Players)
- 3.5
- 3.6 Silver & Gold (20 mins, Age: 8+, 2-4 Players)
- 3.7 Dungeon Mayhem (10 mins, Age: 8+, 2-4 Players)
- 3.8 Sushi Go (15 mins, Age: 8+, 2-5 Players)
- 4 Final Thoughts on Best Travel Card Games
Travel Card Game Advantages
1) More Portable
Card games can be much smaller than most boxed board games so this is a huge card game advantage when you travel. Like a lot of things in life, size really does matter, especially here because if it’s meant to be for packing then you need to take its size into consideration. So, if this is your number one priority, then make sure to take a look at the recommendations below as well as consider those that are travel-size board games.
2) More Options
Because card games can be much smaller, that means you can bring a few more options with you and not take up much more packing space.
3) Easier to Learn
Again, unlike collectible card games, in general, card games can be easier to learn but strategic enough to make the game feel engaging and not too repetitive like grandma’s rummy (although I do enjoy a good game of Rummy from time to time).
4) Shorter Time Length
Typically, since card games aren’t overly complex, they are shorter in time played than your typical board games. Sometimes it takes less time to play an entire card game than many board games take to set up (I’m looking at you Zombicide).
5) Younger Kids Can Participate
Vacation can mean kids, whether they’re ours, our family’s, or our friend’s kids, so being able to get everyone involved means less whining, crying, or pouting…unless of course, you’re a sore loser.
Travel Card Game Disadvantages
1) Feel Repetitive
Unfortunately, even the best travel card games have the potential to lack high replay value after too many back-to-back playthroughs. Packing more options like earlier discussed, helps break up any monotony. It’s best to keep these card games and not so much boring games.
2) Too Much Luck
Like dice games, card games can rely on luck sometimes too much because of what card you happen to pick up and when. However, who isn’t looking to get a little lucky on vacation? 😉
3) Too Simple
Because of the simplicity of some of these less complex card games, it can feel like something is missing from your gaming experience.
Best Travel Card Game Recommendations
Here is a short list of some of the best travel card games.
Exploding Kittens (20 mins, Age: 7+, 2-10 Players)
Be aware, there’s both a family and NSFW (Not Safe for Work) version of this game so make sure you choose the appropriate one for your gaming crew. This particular game is so easy to learn yet competitive enough to make you want to rise victoriously by being the last player to not explode. It also doesn’t hurt that the cards themselves have very entertaining illustrations of all kinds of different felines.
- THE LEGENDARY ORIGINAL MADE FOR TWO TO FIVE PLAYERS: The card game that gave felines a license to kill. The reason cats around the world are being given the side-eye - it’s Exploding Kittens: Original Edition! This kitty-powered card game is all about turning game night into a blast. Try and dodge exploding kittens, betray your friends along the way, and strap on a portable cheetah butt while you’re at it. The last player left alive wins!
- HOURS OF HILARITY: There’ll be lots of chuckling. Rib-cracking outbursts. More laughs than a 90's sitcom. In every 56-card deck you’ll find creative ways to dodge the exploding kittens. Like defuse cards featuring laser pointers, kitty therapy, and catnip sandwiches. And action cards with weaponized back hair, all-seeing goat wizards, and magical pig-a-corns that grant you precognition. Looking for thoroughly entertaining kid and adult games for game night? Quest complete! This game is an excellent addition to your fun family games collection.
The Crew (20 mins, Age: 10+, 2-5 Players with a 2 Player Variant)
- Cooperative strategy game--win or lose together!
- A new twist on classic trick-taking card games
Sleeping Queens (20 mins, Age: 8+, 2-5 Players)
Although created by a child, this game is quite fun for people of all ages. The goal here is to wake up the most queens before your opponent through strategy and a little luck. Don’t sleep on this family game.
- ADROABLE CARD GAME FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES: In this simple card game you play cards to wake up the sleeping queens. Discard cards or draw new ones, play actions and wake up 5 queens – or score the most points, to win!
- STRATEGY, QUICK THINKING AND LUCK: Rouse the napping queens by playing Knight cards, or Jesters. Wake the most queens to win!
The Mind (20 Mins, Age: 8+, 2-4 Players)
- INGENIOUS CARD GAME: Experience the ingenious and highly addictive card game that's making waves everywhere. The Mind offers simple rules but a challenging test of your mental synchronization.
- ASCENDING ORDER CHALLENGE: Work together with your friends to play cards in ascending order, but here's the catch – no speaking or communication allowed. Can you beat the Mind's tricky levels.
Silver & Gold (20 mins, Age: 8+, 2-4 Players)
Who doesn’t want to find treasure while they’re on vacation? It involves dry-erase markers (included) so keep that in mind for younger players. That said, this game is great for when you’re out at dinner and want to keep hungry kids preoccupied to subside their hangryness.
- FORTUNE AWAITS: Embark on a treasure-filled adventure with the Silver and Gold card game, where distant islands and golden treasures become your reality.
- RACE AGAINST TIME: Challenge yourself and friends to rain X's down in rapid-fire fashion, creating the right configurations to close out island cards and seize valuable bonuses.
Dungeon Mayhem (10 mins, Age: 8+, 2-4 Players)
- It's time for Monsters & mayhem! Dungeon mayhem is an easy-to-learn, family-friendly Dungeons & Dragons card game that pits the Wits and brawn of a party of adventurers against each other.
- Games take 10–15 minutes to play. Perfect for friends and family, ages 8+.
Sushi Go (15 mins, Age: 8+, 2-5 Players)
Involves some strategy on which cards you’re going to pair together to build the most points from but easy enough not to let the strategy get in the way of itself.
- FAMILY PICK AND PASS CARD GAME: Sushi Go! Is a fun and easy to learn card game that will become a classic in your family, leaving you hungry for more!
- QUICK PLAY THAT IS EASY TO LEARN: Learn how to play in just 1 round and plays in 15 minutes!
Final Thoughts on Best Travel Card Games
There you have it! Now you can see why card games can make for some of the best vacation experiences as well as some of their drawbacks. We hope you enjoyed our list of best travel card games. We have lots more to come in this series of which Travel Games Are Best for You!
All items reviewed in this Best Travel Card Games Article
Lovely post! I would love to do a road trip around all over the world and visit all these beautiful places! Thanks for the tips and the locals’ insight!
hey, Good to read about the travel card.Thank you
excellent travel card .Thanks for this post