Top Travel-Friendly Card Games You’ll Actually Want to Pack
Looking for entertainment that fits in your backpack?
Whether you’re stuck at the airport, relaxing on a beach, or winding down in a hostel, a great card game can turn strangers into friends and downtime into fun time.
Here’s a roundup of top travel-friendly card games that are easy to learn, fun to play, and perfect for your next adventure.
Uno
Uno is a crowd-pleaser around the globe. With its colourful design and simple rules, it’s easy for every to get involved with. The gameplay is quick and lively, with “draw two” and “reverse” cards keeping everyone on their toes.
You can play Uno almost anywhere — train seat, café table, hostel bunk.
Why pack it?
Great for all ages
Fast, engaging rounds
Small, lightweight deck
How to play
Playing Uno is easy: each player starts with seven cards, aiming to be the first to get rid of them all. Match a card from your hand to the top card of the pile by number or colour. Special cards—like Skip, Reverse, and Draw Two—can quickly turn the game on its head. When you have one card left, don’t forget to shout “Uno!”
Exploding Kittens
This offbeat favourite puts a hilarious spin on classic card mechanics. Each player draws cards hoping not to find an exploding kitten, using action cards to sabotage others or defuse danger. There are also travel editions and compact tins, making it a breeze to carry.
Why pack it?
Silly, fun theme
Quick rounds
Good for groups
How to play
To play, each person takes turns drawing cards, hoping not to pick up an Exploding Kitten. Draw one and you’re out—unless you can defuse it using a special card. Other cards let you skip turns, shuffle the deck, or make others draw more cards, keeping everyone on their toes.
Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is a slick, pick-and-pass game where players choose sushi-themed cards to create the best combinations. It’s simple, social, and super portable, coming in a durable tin that slips into any bag.
Why pack it?
Quick to play
Compact tin case
Easy to teach
How to play
Each player gets a hand of cards showing different types of sushi. On your turn, you choose one card to keep and place it face down in front of you. Then everyone passes their remaining cards to the player next to them. You keep doing this until all cards are chosen. At the end of the round, you score points based on the sushi combinations you collected. The player with the most points after three rounds wins.
The Mind
The Mind isn’t your average card game; it’s a silent, cooperative challenge. Players aim to play cards in ascending order without talking, relying instead on timing and intuition. It’s a unique bonding experience that works even without a shared language.
Why pack it?
Minimal components
Cooperative gameplay
Memorable experiences
How to play
Players get a hand of cards with numbers on them. Without talking or showing your cards, everyone tries to play their cards in order from lowest to highest. You win the game if all players manage to play their cards in the right order without mistakes. It’s all about timing and feeling when it’s your turn to play!
Final Tips For Packing Card Games
Go light: Choose games in compact or travel editions Use resealable bags: Protect cards from spills, sand or rain Keep it simple: Games with fewer rules are easier to teach on the go
Whether you’re road-tripping through the UK, backpacking across Europe, or flying long-haul, a few well-chosen card games can turn your travel time into something memorable.
So shuffle the deck, deal the cards, and let the adventures begin!
Looking for entertainment that fits in your backpack?
Whether you’re stuck at the airport, relaxing on a beach, or winding down in a hostel, a great card game can turn strangers into friends and downtime into fun time.
Here’s a roundup of top travel-friendly card games that are easy to learn, fun to play, and perfect for your next adventure.
Uno
Uno is a crowd-pleaser around the globe. With its colourful design and simple rules, it’s easy for every to get involved with. The gameplay is quick and lively, with “draw two” and “reverse” cards keeping everyone on their toes.
You can play Uno almost anywhere — train seat, café table, hostel bunk.
Why pack it?
Great for all ages
Fast, engaging rounds
Small, lightweight deck
How to play
Playing Uno is easy: each player starts with seven cards, aiming to be the first to get rid of them all. Match a card from your hand to the top card of the pile by number or colour. Special cards—like Skip, Reverse, and Draw Two—can quickly turn the game on its head. When you have one card left, don’t forget to shout “Uno!”
Exploding Kittens
This offbeat favourite puts a hilarious spin on classic card mechanics. Each player draws cards hoping not to find an exploding kitten, using action cards to sabotage others or defuse danger. There are also travel editions and compact tins, making it a breeze to carry.
Why pack it?
Silly, fun theme
Quick rounds
Good for groups
How to play
To play, each person takes turns drawing cards, hoping not to pick up an Exploding Kitten. Draw one and you’re out—unless you can defuse it using a special card. Other cards let you skip turns, shuffle the deck, or make others draw more cards, keeping everyone on their toes.
Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is a slick, pick-and-pass game where players choose sushi-themed cards to create the best combinations. It’s simple, social, and super portable, coming in a durable tin that slips into any bag.
Why pack it?
Quick to play
Compact tin case
Easy to teach
How to play
Each player gets a hand of cards showing different types of sushi. On your turn, you choose one card to keep and place it face down in front of you. Then everyone passes their remaining cards to the player next to them. You keep doing this until all cards are chosen. At the end of the round, you score points based on the sushi combinations you collected. The player with the most points after three rounds wins.
The Mind
The Mind isn’t your average card game; it’s a silent, cooperative challenge. Players aim to play cards in ascending order without talking, relying instead on timing and intuition. It’s a unique bonding experience that works even without a shared language.
Why pack it?
Minimal components
Cooperative gameplay
Memorable experiences
How to play
Players get a hand of cards with numbers on them. Without talking or showing your cards, everyone tries to play their cards in order from lowest to highest. You win the game if all players manage to play their cards in the right order without mistakes. It’s all about timing and feeling when it’s your turn to play!
Final Tips For Packing Card Games
Go light: Choose games in compact or travel editions Use resealable bags: Protect cards from spills, sand or rain Keep it simple: Games with fewer rules are easier to teach on the go
Whether you’re road-tripping through the UK, backpacking across Europe, or flying long-haul, a few well-chosen card games can turn your travel time into something memorable.
So shuffle the deck, deal the cards, and let the adventures begin!
