Tickets, Fares and Route Maps (2024)

FAQs

What is the best route in Ticket to Ride? ›

Create a zig-zagging route from east to west to block other players. The more players you have in Ticket to Ride, the more crowded the game board gets. Thankfully, there's an easy way to foil everyone else's plans: build a zig-zagging path of trains across the board rather than a relatively straightforward one.

Ticket to Ride scoring explained

Victory points are earned by claiming routes on the board - the number of points depends on the length of the route - completing routes on your destination tickets and having the Longest Continuous Path of train cars at the end of the game.

If a player successfully completes a series of routes that connect the two cities, they will add the amount of points indicated on the Destination Ticket to their point totals at the end of the game. If they do not successfully connect the two cities, they deduct the amount of points indicated.

"No Show" Policy. Subject to applicable cancellation policies, all fares are non-refundable and non-changeable after departure. Passengers who “no show” or do not cancel prior to departure forfeit the entire value of their “no show” segment.

10 points are given to the person with the most train cars in his longest path. The Longest Continuous Path bonus appears in USA (where it was introduced), USA Mega, Europe, Europa Expanded, Europa Mega, Team Asia, France, Switzerland, and India.

The maximum points possible, 295, can be achieved by following the instructions given above. However, achieving either a -340 or 295 is virtually impossible.

Picking up longer routes is key, because you get much more bang for your buck. A single long route typically covers the same distance as 2 or 3 shorter routes, which reduces the number of turns required to complete your tickets. In addition, the number of points you earn per train goes up as the routes get longer.

Multiple Routes

The same player cannot claim more than one Track of these Routes during the game. All of the Tracks on the two Triple Routes are in play with any number of players. In 2-player games, only one Track of the Double Routes joining two locations can be claimed.

Gray routes are neutral, and may be claimed with that number of identical cards. For example, you may claim Duluth to Sault Ste. Marie with 3 reds, but not 2 reds and a green. You may only claim routes that haven't yet been claimed.

If two (or more) players are tied for the longest train, then they each score 10 points. The player with the most points wins the game. In the unlikely event that two or more players are tied for first place, the player who has completed the most destination tickets is the winner.

Can you discard routes in Ticket to Ride? ›

When you draw destination cards (both at the start of the game and during the game), you can choose to put some back. Be careful of the ones you keep. You will have these for the entire game – once you decide to keep them, you are bound to them. And if you don't complete them, you get penalized.

At the start of the game, each player is dealt 4 Destination Tickets, of which he must keep at least 2.

If the passenger does not produce a valid ticket or proof of payment, the conductor may ask them to pay the fare or exit the train at the next station. Normally, the conductor can sell them a ticket on board.

If you miss the first train on which you are booked for any reason, a new ticket must be purchased. 5.2 If delays occur while travelling, you will be allowed to take the next available train(s) to complete your journey. 5.3 Railcard holders travelling on a discounted ticket must carry their Railcard when they travel.

Plan to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart (Auto Train passengers should arrive at the station at least two hours prior to departure).

The longest route includes all the red trains (50 trains) and does not include all the blue trains of the smaller routes branching off. Note that the branches do not count although they are connected. The Trans America Express (worth 10 points) card in Ticket To Ride is awarded to the player with the longest route.

Multiple Routes

The same player cannot claim more than one Track of these Routes during the game. All of the Tracks on the two Triple Routes are in play with any number of players. In 2-player games, only one Track of the Double Routes joining two locations can be claimed.

Gray routes are neutral, and may be claimed with that number of identical cards. For example, you may claim Duluth to Sault Ste. Marie with 3 reds, but not 2 reds and a green. You may only claim routes that haven't yet been claimed.

It is absolutely essential that you keep one long route ticket (and complete it) as you are unlikely to win without the bonus points from that ticket. For the shorter routes, you will want to keep them if they fit in with your long route.