Last Updated on November 18, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Ticket to Ride: First Journey is a simplified version of the original game, Ticket to Ride, designed specifically for younger players. It focuses on connecting iconic cities across Europe or America with colorful train routes. With easier rules, shorter gameplay, and vibrant illustrations, it’s a perfect introduction to the world of route-building and ticket fulfillment for kids and families.

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How to Play Ticket to Ride: First Journey

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Components

Set up the game by placing everything in the center of the table.

• 1 Game board
• 80 plastic trains in various colors (plus extras). Give each player 20 trains of one color.
• 72 Train Cards. Shuffle them and give each player 4 cards. Place the rest face down to form the train deck.
• 32 Ticket Cards. Shuffle them and give each player 2 cards. Place the remainder face down as the ticket deck.
• 4 Coast to Coast Bonus Tickets
• 1 Golden Ticket for the winner

All hands must remain hidden from the other players.

Goal of the Game

Be the first player to complete 6 Tickets. If no one reaches 6 by the end of the game, the player with the most completed Tickets takes first place.

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The youngest player begins, and turns continue clockwise.

On Your Turn

Choose one action:

1. Draw Train Cards

Draw two Train Cards from the top of the train deck.

2. Claim a Route

To claim a route on the map:

• Play Train Cards that match the color and length of the route.
• Place one plastic train in each space of that route.
• Wild cards (locomotives) can stand in for any color.

All spent cards are placed in a face up discard pile near the train deck.

Routes do not need to connect to your other claimed routes. You can only claim one route per turn.

Double Route

Some city pairs have a double route. Only one route in a double route can be claimed by a single player, leaving options open for others.

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Completing a Ticket

A Ticket shows two cities. If you create a continuous line of your trains between those cities:

• Announce that you completed the Ticket.
• Flip the Ticket face up.
• Draw a new Ticket from the top of the ticket deck.

This is never worth negative points, even if you fail to complete it later.

Discarding Tickets

If you think your path is blocked, you may skip your turn to discard both of your Tickets. Draw two new Tickets from the top of the ticket deck.

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Coast to Coast Bonus

If your trains connect a west coast city (Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles) to an east coast city (New York, Washington, or Miami):

• Say “Coast to Coast.”
• Take a Coast to Coast Bonus Ticket.

This counts as an additional completed Ticket.

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The game ends immediately if:

1. A player completes 6 Tickets

That player is the winner and takes the Golden Ticket.

2. A player uses all their trains

All players stop. The winner is the one with the most completed Tickets.
If there are tied players, all tied players share the victory.

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• Begin by claiming shorter routes near the center of the table since they provide flexible access to many cities.
• Never underestimate wild cards because they make difficult routes much easier to claim.
• Keep checking the board to see which double route spaces might block your plans.
• Draw Tickets only when needed because each new Ticket requires another completed connection.
• Watch how close opponents are to finishing their sixth Ticket so you are not surprised at the end of the game.

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FAQ: Ticket to Ride First Journey Rules

Ticket to Ride: First Journey provides a fun and engaging introduction to the world of board games, teaching players basic strategy and competition.