Ticket to Ride is a classic board game enjoyed by players of all ages around the world. With its easy-to-learn rules and exciting gameplay, it’s no wonder that the game has won numerous awards and spawned multiple expansions, each adding new features to the base game. From the streets of Europe to the railways of India, the Ticket to Ride series takes players on a journey through various countries and continents, offering endless hours of strategic fun. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, there is an expansion for everyone in the Ticket to Ride series.
With so many expansions available, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve created this extensive guide to the Ticket to Ride expansions and the core game.
In this article, we’ll cover the rules for ticket to ride and the changes for each expansion, providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Whether you’re a seasoned player looking for a new challenge or a newcomer to the game, this guide will help you choose the expansion that best fits your interests and skill level.
How to Play Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is a board game for 2 – 4 players in which players collect and play matching train cards to claim railway routes on a map and try to connect the cities shown on their Destination Tickets.
The longer the routes, the more points they earn. Additional points come to those who can fulfill their Destination Tickets and to the player who builds the longest continuous railway.
Components
The game comes with the following components:
- A game board showing a map of North America, with cities and railways marked on it
- A deck of train cards, with cards of each of the five colors (red, yellow, green, blue, and black) and wild cards
- A pile of plastic train pieces in each of the five colors, to be used on the game board to mark the claimed routes
- Destination Tickets, which are cards that show two cities and a point value; players try to connect these cities with their own railways to earn the points
- A score pad to keep track of each player’s points
Setting up the Game
To set up the game, follow these steps:
- Place the game board in the middle of the table.
- Shuffle the train cards and deal a hand of four cards to each player.
- Place the remaining cards face down in a draw pile, and draw the top five cards to form the draw pile.
- Shuffle the Destination Tickets and deal a number of them to each player, according to the number of players:
- For a two-player game, deal each player three Destination Tickets.
- For a three-player game, deal each player two Destination Tickets.
- For a four-player game, deal each player two Destination Tickets.
- Each player must keep at least two of the Destination Tickets they were dealt, but they may choose to return any number of them and draw new ones.
- Each player starts with 45 plastic trains, which they should place near their score pad.
Playing the Game
On their turn, a player can take one of the following actions:
- Draw two train cards from the draw pile.
- Claim a route on the game board by playing a set of train cards of the matching color (or wild cards) and placing their plastic trains on the route.
- Draw three Destination Tickets and choose one to keep, returning the other two face down to the bottom of the deck.
When drawing train cards, a player has the option to draw the top card from the draw pile or the top card from the face-up cards. If the player chooses to draw from the face-up cards, they must also draw the top card from the draw pile and add it to the face-up cards.
The game ends when one player runs out of plastic trains or when the last train card has been drawn from the draw pile.
Players then tally their points, earning points for the routes they have claimed and for any Destination Tickets they have completed. The player with the most points wins.
Expansion Rule Changes
Ticket to Ride has several expansions, each of which adds new features to the base game. This is not an extensive list as we have not included versions like new york that have mainly thematic changes rather than rules changes.
im also not including rails and sails… that one needs to be looked at independently in mu opinion.
Here is a summary of the rule changes for each expansion that has them:
Ticket to Ride: Europe
In this expansion, players travel through Europe and visit cities in France, Germany, Italy, and other countries. The game includes new Destination Tickets and a new type of train card, the Ferry, which is used to claim routes that require a ferry to cross water.
There are also Tunnels, which are routes that require players to play an extra train card of the matching color in order to claim them. To use a Tunnel, a player must place one of their plastic trains on the route as usual, and then play an additional train card of the matching color face down on top of the plastic train.
Finally, the game includes Stations, which are locations on the board that can be claimed by any player in order to use them as a starting point for their own routes. When a player claims a Station, they must give up one of their Destination Tickets in exchange.
Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries
This expansion is set in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. It introduces a new type of train card, the Locomotive, which is a wild card that can be used as any color.
The expansion also includes a new game mechanic called Technologies, which allows players to gain special abilities by spending their train cards. There are three Technologies in the game: Double Routes, which allows players to claim two routes at once; Tunnels, which allows players to claim Tunnel routes without the need for extra train cards; and Ferries, which allows players to claim Ferry routes without the need for Ferry cards.
Ticket to Ride: United Kingdom
This expansion is set in the United Kingdom and introduces a new game mechanic called Technology cards, which allow players to gain special abilities by spending their train cards. There are four Technology cards in the game: Double Routes, which allows players to claim two routes at once; Tunnels, which allows players to claim Tunnel routes without the need for extra train cards; Ferries, which allows players to claim Ferry routes without the need for Ferry cards; and Stations, which allows players to claim Stations without having to give up a Destination Ticket.
The expansion also includes new Destination Tickets and a new type of train card, the Passenger, which allows players to draw an additional Destination Ticket.
Ticket to Ride: Germany
This expansion is set in Germany and includes new Destination Tickets and a new type of train card, the Shift, which allows players to swap the positions of two train cards in their hand.
The expansion also introduces a new game mechanic called Warehouses, which are locations on the board that can be claimed by any player in order to store their train cards for later use. When a player claims a Warehouse, they must give up one of their Destination Tickets in exchange.
Ticket to Ride: France
This expansion is set in France and includes new Destination Tickets and a new type of train card, the Depot, which allows players to draw three train cards and choose one to keep.
The expansion also introduces a new game mechanic called Garages, which are locations on the board that can be claimed by any player in order to store their plastic trains for later use. When a player claims a Garage, they must give up one of their Destination Tickets in exchange.
Ticket to Ride: First Journey (Europe)
The game includes a new game mechanic called Stations, which are locations on the board that can be claimed by any player in order to use them as a starting point for their own routes. When a player claims a Station, they must give up one of their Destination Tickets in exchange.
The game also includes a new type of route, the One-Way route, which can only be claimed in one direction.
Ticket to Ride: Asia
This expansion is set in Asia and includes new Destination Tickets and a new type of train card, the Express, which allows players to claim a route of any length in a single move.
The expansion also introduces a new game mechanic called Contracts, which are cards that allow players to earn points for completing specific tasks, such as claiming a certain number of routes or connecting certain cities.
Ticket to Ride: India
This expansion is set in India and includes new Destination Tickets and a new type of train card, the Elephant, which is a wild card that can be used as any color.
The expansion also introduces a new game mechanic called Palaces, which are locations on the board that can be claimed by any player in order to earn bonus points. When a player claims a Palace, they must give up one of their Destination Tickets in exchange.
Ticket to Ride: Africa
This expansion is set in Africa and includes new Destination Tickets and a new type of train card, the Safari, which allows players to draw two Destination Tickets and choose one to keep.
The expansion also introduces a new game mechanic called National Parks, which are locations on the board that can be claimed by any player in order to earn bonus points. When a player claims a National Park, they must give up one of their Destination Tickets in exchange.
Your now ready to choose the version right for you
what ever version you pick Ticket to Ride is a classic board game that challenges players and is fun for the whole family.
Each expansion adds new features to the base game, such as new Destination Tickets, train cards, and game mechanics like Tunnels, Ferries, Stations, and Technologies. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, Ticket to Ride offers endless hours of strategic fun.
So, it’s a great game to play with friends and family and a must-have for any board game collection.