Best Ticket to Ride Strategies – The Ultimate Guide

Boardgame night is one of my favorite times of the week. It’s a chance to play classics and new options as well.

One of the most popular board games is Ticket to Ride. Whether or not you’ve played it, you might be curious about the best Ticket to Ride strategies.

Be sure that you’re at the top of your game the next time you play it. That’s why I’ve created this guide for you and others to check out some tips and strategies. So read on to learn how to take your gameplay to the next level.

What is Ticket to Ride?

This railway-themed board game takes you back to the railroad tycoon revolution in North America. During play, you collect and play train car cards to gain train routes in the territory.

This will allow you to build different railway routes. This will connect various cities across the board.

Many enjoy this multi-player game since it’s easy to learn. The overall game takes about thirty-sixty minutes of playtime.

It’s best for those who are at least eight years old. Two to five players can enjoy it.

What Ticket to Ride Comes With

The object of the game is to score the most points. What I love most about the game is that you have multiple options to do this.

You can:

• Complete the longest path of routes
• Have a path of routes between two cities that are on your destination tickets
• Have a route between two adjacent cities

If you don’t complete the route on your destination tickets, you lose points.

Ticket to Ride comes with:

• A rulebook
• 240 colored train cars
• Board of the North American train routes
• Five wooden scoring markers
• 144 illustrated cards

For even more fun, consider the Ticket to Ride expansions.

Ticket to Ride Expansions include:

• Germany
• London
• New York
• The U.K.
• Nordic Countries
• Alvin & Dexter
• First Journey
• Europe
• The Card Game

Setup

All players will take their 45 colored train cars with matching score markers. The marker is then placed at the start.

Each player then receives four cards. Leftover cards go next to the board. The top five cards are face up. You’ll need to also place the most extended path bonus card next to the board.

All players have to keep at least two destination cards. Any returned cards then go to the bottom of the destination ticket deck. You can’t show your destination ticket to anyone.

How Do You Play Ticket to Ride?

Before we continue, it’s a good idea to know how to play it. Pick who goes first and then go in clockwise.

You can either draw destination cards, take a route, or draw train car cards during your turn. If you take a face-up card, there needs to be a replacement.

Ticket to Ride Strategies

Now that you understand the basis of the game, it’s time to win! But, first, understand the board.

It’s a good idea to continue to look at the board throughout the game. However, avoid giving any helpful information to the other players. Instead, find start and endpoints for each destination.

Understand Train Cards

Take a look at the train cards and understand the value for each. Pay attention to the colors that your opponents are taking.

Look at what face-up cards they grab. Consider taking a card of a particular color at random to throw off the other players.

Draw Extra Destination Tickets

If you can complete the route, consider taking additional destination tickets. Remember that you’ll need to complete each destination ticket to gain points. If you don’t, you’ll lose points.

Choose Carefully

Check out the cards that are face-up. If there’s nothing useful, head to the deck for a card.

It’s essential to plan your steps in advance. Take time between drawing and building.

Route Planning

Ticket to Ride is about building, don’t wait too long. Occupy tracks that’ll benefit you.

Consider routes that’ll block the other players from moving forward. Don’t allow free sections for them to build around your routes.

Train Placement

Keep in mind that the game ends once a player has two or fewer train pieces. So as you place the trains, you don’t want to move too late or too soon.

When you play too early, this gives other players an idea of your strategy. In addition, this allows them to try and block you.

Some of the main routes will be gone when you wait too long. Take a few turns building up your cards.

Plan out what routes you’ll take in advance. Then, have a plan B in case someone else blocks or takes a route you had your eye on.

Obtain Routes That Work

Consider connecting two cities to help you complete another ticket. This is a great way to increase your points in as few turns as possible.

Know High Point Routes

As you play Ticket to Ride, you’ll start to remember the different destination tickets. Each route is a set amount of points.

The highest scoring points in the classic game include:

• Los Angeles to Chicago- Sixteen points
• Vancouver to Montreal- Twenty points
• Los Angeles to Miami – Twenty points
• Los Angeles to New York – 21 points
• Seattle to New York – 22 points
• Portland to Nashville – Seventeen points
• San Francisco to Atlanta – Seventeen points

You’ll want to choose at least one destination ticket with a high value to have a shot at winning. In addition, many of the longer routes will go through several cities. This means that it’ll be easier to branch off.

Consider Cities With Only Two Connections

If you have cities with only two connections, you’ll want to start on those fast. This is because other routes can be taken by other players.

Play Multiple Trains

Experienced players will watch what you’re doing and figure out your next steps. So, naturally, you’ll want to stop them from doing this.

Consider playing trains for many turns in a row. This will throw off their game and not allow them to block you as often.

Figure Out Others’ Cards

Pay attention to any frustrations if you have your train on a route. Try to figure out where on the board they’re glancing. Notice the color trains that they’re picking up.

Consider Avoiding Hubs

Some players will tell you to avoid hubs whenever possible. However, these are the main areas that can get crowded fast. So, if you need a hub, consider taking it first before anyone else.

Monitor Trains

Pay attention to how many trains each player has at all times. The game is over once someone has two or fewer trains left at the end of their turn.

This will help you be mindful of how close to the end of the game you are. It’ll also help you strategize along the way. For example, you can decide whether to complete routes, collect trains, or pick up more destination cards.

It’ll also help you decide when you’d like the game to end. For example, you can plan out when you’d like the game to finish based on how many trains you have left.

Avoid Multiple Long Routes

It’s okay to have a small number of long routes but avoid having too many. For example, it will be even harder to complete these routes if you have four-five players. So instead, opt for the shorter routes or routes worth a significant amount.

Where to Buy Ticket to Ride?

You can find Ticket to Ride at your local retailers and online. However, while you can check out a local retailer in your area, they might increase the price for a profit.

Major retailers could have deals and promotions in their stores and online. I highly recommend checking online.

Then you can decide on any expansions as well. I would hold off on buying an expansion when you’re first starting for now, though. But it’s a good idea to make a list of ones that interest you.

Online is convenient since you can order items right from the comfort of your own home. Plus, if your billing information is saved, you can purchase items much quicker.

I’m a big fan of Amazon Prime since there’s free shipping. Target has a pretty good app that’ll save your card information and billing address too.

Plus, you can earn points through Target! They sometimes have great deals. For example, I saw Betrayal at House On The Hill for 50% off once.

Don’t forget about Walmart, either. They have some good deals too.

Top Picks at a Glance

1. Catan-Such a classic game and a favorite among many!
2. The Castles of Burgundy-Another fun one! You’re an aristocrat in medieval France trying to cultivate and obtain your own land.
3. Splendor-Easy action rules like Ticket to Ride and plenty of options. Honestly, one of my favorite games!
4. Airlines Europe-You earn points for the stock that you hold in airline companies.
5. Pandemic-You’ll collect sets of cards (similarly to Ticket to Ride). The right set will allow you to cure diseases around the world. Pandemic is a collaborative and exciting game that I love!
6. Terra Mystica-If you’re an experienced board game player, I suggest this more challenging game. Head into a fantasy world where you’ll need to strategize to win.

Ticket to Ride Game Alternatives

I’ve compiled this list of Ticket to Ride alternatives. So whether you love Ticket to Ride and are looking for similar games or just need something fresh, consider these options.

Catan

Catan used to be known as The Settlers of Catan, but it’s still just as fun! I recently wrote a Catan Strategy Guide if you wanted to check that out.

While there isn’t road and route planning like Ticket to Ride, there’s still plenty of building and planning overall. You’re a colonizer and have land called Catan.

To win, you want to have the most profitable colony. Unfortunately, various pitfalls can happen during gameplay.

Pros

• Tons of fun since you’re building up your land
• Easy to learn

Cons

• No road building like Ticket to Ride
• Pitfalls that could make you lose the game.

The Castles of Burgundy

Instead of building a railroad, you’re an aristocrat in medieval France. You’re trying to get your own land during gameplay.

You could build cities, farms, castles, etc. It’s an easy game to learn and play. The Castles of Burgundy is best for those who are at least twelve and up.

Pros

• Great for a game night since it’s easy to learn
• Medieval France theme

Cons

• Not great for a family game night since you have to be at least twelve
• Gameplay only lasts about thirty minutes to an hour.

Splendor

Splendor has easy actions, which make it similar to Ticket to Ride. The turn structure itself is very similar to this game as well.

You’re a gem trader and trying to get to fifteen points before the other players in the game. You can hoard one color (similar to Ticket to Ride) and stop others from obtaining the gems they need.

What I like most about this game is that gameplay can vary a lot by how many people are playing. Two-four players can enjoy Splendor. I wish that there was an option for five players.

Pros

• Easy to understand actions
• The need to strategize and plan
• The ability to block other players

Cons

• It can be difficult if you have a plan in place and another player blocks you
• It can only have up to four players

Airlines Europe

Airlines Europe is a stock game where you earn points based on the different stocks in each airline. When it’s your turn, you can either claim a stock, expands an airline, invest in a special airline, or receive a dividend. Of course, there’s still travel involved, which makes it similar to Ticket to Ride there as well.

Pros

• Travel
• Hold stock in different airlines

Cons

• Harder to find
• The random parts of play can make it hard to strategize

Pandemic

One of my favorite games ever! Pandemic is a cooperative game; you’re all working together to stop a pandemic.

In the beginning, you randomly choose your player, which will decide gameplay. You’ll also need to set the difficulty.

It’s pretty tricky on hard mode, so I don’t recommend it. Instead, you’ll need to strategize and plan your next moves similarly to Ticket to Ride.

There are only so many pandemic cards, and once they’re gone, the game ends. The object of the game is to stop a disease from spreading before it’s too late.

Pros

• A ton of fun and easy to learn
• I love how it’s a cooperative game
• Strategizing and planning

Cons

• Not for kids, great for teens and older
• There’s some luck involved since you don’t know what cards you’ll be turning next

Terra Mystica

Keep this game for those who are experienced in board games and are looking for a challenge. Instead of having to worry about luck, this game is about strategy.

Head into a fantasy world where you’ll need to use magic and wit to win. Build structures and use magic to have as much land as possible. You’ll want to be at least twelve years old to try this game.

It’s excellent for two-five players, which makes me happy since I usually play with five people. Plan on playing it for a while since it’s about 60 to more than 150 minutes of gameplay.

Pros

• A fun challenge for experienced players
• Use magic in a fantasy world

Cons

• Really difficult to learn and play
• No luck in this game
• More extended gameplay, plan on being there for a while

FAQs

Exploring the Best Ticket to Ride Strategies

After exploring some of the best Ticket to Ride strategies, I hope they’ll be helpful in your gameplay. So be sure to write down these different tips to learn and use them while you play.

Keep in mind that each time you play could be different. Factor in how many players you’ll be up against too.

If you enjoy this article, be sure to check out our other articles today.

Recommended reads:

• How to Find the Best Board Games
• The Complete Animal Crossing Monopoly Guide
• How to Find the Best Solo Board Games
• How to Find the Best Board Games for Kindergartners

• About
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Lindsay Washington

Lindsay brings her passion for board games and has a vast knowledge of various board games, card games, and more. She has been a part of local board game meetups, including testing out new games and helping others learn games that they’re not familiar with. Lindsay has also been writing articles online for years on various topics from digital marketing to nutrition! When Lindsay isn’t writing, you can find her engrossed in a novel, working on her books, or spending time outdoors.

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