Should you be overseas as we speak, enjoying long, lazy lunches and the burgeoning warmth of spring? Or perhaps you’re meant to be travelling in the coming weeks or months, but your trip has been cancelled due to COVID-19?

Unfortunately, huge numbers of people have been impacted by the travel ban that’s been imposed in the UK and many other countries around the world. Although you can’t physically travel right now, there are no restrictions on your mind. It can still go where it likes, so we have a few travel-inspired board game ideas to help it go far and wide! 

Our Favourite Travel Board Games

You can’t survive lockdown solely on Guess Who? and Trivial Pursuit. Thankfully, we’re in a golden age of travel-inspired board games, so you don’t have to. These are a few of our favourites.

TOKAIDO

Only a Japanese-themed board game could be as beautiful as this one is. If the coronavirus has you frazzled, this zen-like game, with its stunning watercolour-style artwork, will help you get back on track.  

In Tokaido, you have to travel the Tokaido road, which was a seaside route between Kyoto and Tokyo in Japan’s Edo period. As you make your way from one city to the next, you choose how to make your journey fulfilling. You can hang out with the locals, collect souvenirs, see beautiful landscapes, visit temples and eat delicious food along the way. The winner is the traveller who arrives at their destination fulfilled, having had the most interesting and varied journey. 

GLOBE RUNNER

If you’re a fan of BBC Two’s Race Across the World, then this is the board game for you. In this game, you have to travel around the world as quickly as you can, answering questions about the countries you travel through as you go. It can be adjusted to suit the ages and abilities of all players, so those with differing levels of knowledge about countries, capital cities, flags, landmarks and other categories can all play together.  

As well as giving you your travel fix, Globe Runner is also a great way to learn more about the world, making it an excellent choice for all the family.

MONOPOLY HERE & NOW : WORLD EDITION

Who doesn’t love a good game of Monopoly? Okay, quite a few of you, but that’s tough luck because there are plenty of people out there who do love it. What better way to spend four hours of your precious time on lockdown than jet-setting around the world, buying and taking over entire cities?

The destinations featured in the game were voted for by Monopoly and travel fans from around the world, and include cities such as Sydney, Athens, New York City and Lima. For those inquisitive minds among you, Lima and Hong Kong are the most expensive cities in the game, while Madrid and Giethoorn in the Netherlands are the least.  

Family Game Night

Now that the kids have absolutely no choice but to hang out with you, what better way to spend the evening than with a family game night? We’ve found a couple of travel board games that are perfect for just such an occasion.  

SUSHI GO!

This fast-paced, fun and colourful card game will be a surefire hit for sushi aficionados, those planning a trip to Japan and anyone who thinks they’re better than their dad! 

Just like your local sushi bar, your goal is to make the best combination of sushi dishes as they whiz by. Make the most maki rolls, collect a full set of sashimi and dip your favourite nigiri in wasabi to triple your score. But don’t be too greedy - if you don’t leave room for dessert, it’ll eat into your score.

This rapid-fire game with a playing time of just 15 minutes is easy to learn, quick to play and perfect for those with short attention spans, making it great for all ages.  

WHO KNOWS WHERE?

This award-winning board game has over 1,000 questions across five categories, including capitals, famous tourist sites, major cities and towns, events and facts. It’s quick and easy to play and is suitable for children aged 12 plus. The rules can be easily adjusted to make it more accessible or to ramp up the skill level when playing with well-travelled teens and adults. 

Everyone plays the 30-minute long game the entire time, so there’s no waiting around or getting bored while dad takes ages over his go. If you don’t know the answer to the question, you can also risk piggybacking on one of your opponent’s guesses, which adds to the jeopardy and inevitably leads to some lively discussions (or should we say arguments). 

What to Do With Friends at Home: Board Game Ideas for Housemates

If you’re on lockdown in a shared home or apartment, a few travel board games - ordered online, of course - can give you something a bit different to do. And the good news is, there are some great options out there that fit this demographic nicely.

BACKPACKER - THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL GAME

Now, we’re not saying that everyone who lives in a shared flat has been backpacking at some point in their lives, but we think there’s a good chance many have. That makes this pocket-sized card game for up to six players all the more fun, as you get to go on a unique backpacking experience in your quest to return home with the most photos. 

You’ll visit different countries, spend time travelling, chill out on beaches, eat dodgy food and try to avoid getting sick and missing your plane. No two games are ever the same and, as it’s so easy to play, it’s the perfect accompaniment to a good cup of tea or even something a bit stronger.  

TICKET TO RIDE : EUROPE

More than six million people can’t be wrong. Actually, maybe they can, but in this case, the six million people who bought Ticket to Ride were absolutely spot on. 

In this version of the classic game, you build train tracks and stations in and between some of the most illustrious cities in turn-of-the-century Europe, including London, Constantinople, Barcelona and Moscow. You compete to claim the longest and best routes and become Europe’s biggest railway magnate. 

Although it sounds complicated, this superb game is elegantly simple and takes just a few minutes to learn. But be warned - one game is never enough!  

Not Quite as Good as the Real Thing

Admittedly, travel board games are not quite as exciting as the real thing - but while we’re all doing our bit and staying at home, we hope these board game ideas will help you, your family and your housemates to have plenty of fun. And, if you’re looking for more travel-inspired entertainment during the lockdown, just stay tuned to the Teletext Holidays blog!