Ticket to Ride: First Journey (Europe)
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 30 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 6+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.5 / 5
- Year
- 2017
About the game
Ticket to Ride: First Journey (Europe) scales down the beloved Ticket to Ride formula for younger players and newcomers. Each player collects colored train cards and uses them to claim routes across a map of Europe, trying to connect the cities shown on their tickets. Completing a ticket lets you draw a new one, and connecting far-flung west-to-east cities earns a bonus. The first player to complete six tickets, or whoever has the most completed tickets once someone runs out of trains, wins the game.
Hobbli's Notes
This is one of the best gateway games for families with young kids, trimming Ticket to Ride down to quick decisions and short routes without losing the satisfying feeling of connecting cities. Games wrap up fast enough to hold a young child's attention, and the map still teaches basic geography and planning. It's simple enough that adult gamers will find little challenge on their own, but as a bridge into the hobby for children it's excellent.
What we like
- Quick, simple rules make it an ideal first board game for young children.
- Short 30-minute playtime suits younger attention spans.
- Colorful map and tactile trains appeal to kids visually.
- Teaches planning and basic geography in a low-pressure way.
- Faithfully captures the feel of the full Ticket to Ride experience.
Keep in mind
- Too simple to hold the attention of experienced adult gamers.
- Limited strategic depth compared to the full Ticket to Ride game.
- Some ticket routes can be blocked by other players, causing frustration for young kids.
Who it's for
Young children ages 6 and up and their families looking for a light, fast introduction to route-building games, for 2-4 players.
