Travelin’ (2017) Board Game

Travelin’ is a board game released in 2017, designed by Lázár Aurél. The game is centered around travel and exploration, with players navigating different destinations and trying to outsmart their opponents to reach their goals. With a runtime of 20-50 minutes and a recommended age of 14+, Travelin’ is a great option for a quick and fun game night with friends or family.

Game Components of Travelin’

Cards: Country cards, Action cards, Special cards, and Counter cards.

Country Cards: Each country has a point value and a unique action.

Action Cards: Include modes of transportation like Bus, Train, and Taxi, as well as disruptive actions like Sketchy Taxi Driver and Border Control.

Special Cards: Introduce additional rules or modifiers, such as the Bidet which adds cards and actions.

Counter Cards: Allow players to interfere with each other, e.g., Rerouted or Border Control.

How To Setup Travelin’

To set up Travelin’, deal 8 cards face down to each player and place 3 Common cards face up on the table. Each player must have at least one Country card; if not, they discard their hand and receive a new set of 8 cards. Players then select a Starting Travel Point by choosing a Country card from their hand and placing it face down. The player with the lowest-point country goes first. In case of a tie, the player born furthest from the playing location starts the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Point-to-Point Movement: Travel between countries using transportation cards.

Hand Management: Manage cards to optimize travel and actions.

Take That: Use cards to hinder opponents’ progress.

Game Objective

The first player to visit 5 countries ends the game.

The player with the most points, accumulated from the visited countries, wins.

Player Experience

Travelin’ is a fast-paced game that blends strategy and luck, making it enjoyable for both gamers and backpackers. The game is filled with humorous elements, such as sketchy taxi drivers and bad kebabs, which add to its charm. However, the game can be confusing in the initial plays due to the variety of card actions and rule modifiers. As players become more familiar, the game becomes more entertaining and tactical.

Pros

Quick to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Humorous Theme: The game incorporates funny and relatable travel experiences.

Interactive: Players can significantly impact each other’s progress.

Short Game Time: Games typically last 20-30 minutes.

Cons

Lack of Clarity in Rules: Initial plays can be confusing due to unclear card actions and rule modifiers.

No Hand Limit: This can lead to unwieldy hands and encourage card hoarding.

Imbalanced Deck: The number of tickets can be too low, causing delays in gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Travelin’

Travelin’ is ideal for those who enjoy light, strategic card games with a social element. It’s perfect for a casual game night or a quick break, appealing to both families and casual gamers. The game’s theme and mechanics make it a great fit for anyone who has experienced the joys and challenges of backpacking or traveling. However, it may not be as engaging for players seeking deep strategic games or those who prefer games with more balanced mechanics.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.