Best Train Board Games of 2025: Top 15 Picks
Explore thrilling train adventures with our curated list. Perfect for new players seeking engaging train-themed board games to enjoy.
All aboard! We’re full steam ahead into the world of train board games. We’ve shuffled through countless game nights and shuffled through countless games to bring you the top 15 train-themed board games. From epic strategy to quick-paced competitive fun, we focus on games that capture the thrill of the railway. Our selections aim to offer variety, excitement, and a sprinkle of nostalgia for new players and seasoned conductors alike. Get ready to lay some tracks, build your empire, and steamroll your friends as we explore the best ways to roll those dice down the line!
On this list:
15 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is an easy-to-learn game for train enthusiasts. It’s perfect for newcomers, featuring beautiful board art and an engaging gameplay. We remember our friend Sarah, who usually hates board games, getting completely hooked. Building railways across North America feels like a big achievement, even if your longest route is only between two cities. It’s a game about connecting cities, collecting cards, and blocking your friends’ paths. The rules are simple, making it an ideal choice for a family night. Plus, the competition to complete routes can get intense without being overwhelming.
14 Railways of the World
Railways of the World is a sprawling game that lets you become a train tycoon. We fondly remember that time when Bob thought he was going bankrupt only to pull a win in the last round! The game features a massive map, and delivers a deep strategy experience. You need to plan ahead, manage resources, and sometimes make tough decisions. It’s perfect for those who love complexity and strategy in their board games. The game can take a bit to set up, but oh, the satisfaction of seeing your rail empire grow is worth every minute.
13 Russian Railroads
Russian Railroads is like an intense puzzle with trains. We remember the feeling of outsmarting our friend Jim, who always dominated in strategy games. The game offers a complex point system, making it a favorite for those who enjoy brain-burning challenges. It’s all about expanding rail lines, industrializing, and improving your technology. The variety of strategies available keeps the game fresh even with repeated plays. It’s engaging and highly competitive, although a bit much for casual players. But the thrill of executing that perfect strategy? Absolutely worth it!
12 Steam: Rails to Riches
Steam: Rails to Riches is a game that requires careful planning and shrewd decisions. We recall an intense game night where our strategic decisions paid off despite a few wrong turns. The game involves building your rail network and delivering goods to rake in profits. It’s a mix of route building and economic strategy, making every decision count. The exhilarating moments come when you pull off a successful delivery or block an opponent with a well-placed track. While it has a bit of a learning curve, the rewarding gameplay is well worth the effort.
11 TransAmerica
TransAmerica offers a light and enjoyable train experience perfect for game nights when you don’t want heavy strategy. We remember a hilarious round when everyone misjudged a connection and ended up stuck! It’s a quick game where you work to connect your cities faster than opponents. The game mechanics are simple, yet offer strategic placement opportunities that can turn the game on its head. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, and perfect for a wider group including kids and adults, striking a balance between accessibility and strategic depth.
10 Age of Steam
Age of Steam is like the train game for those who love hardcore strategies. We had a memorable experience where we spent hours plotting routes and managing our rail empires. The game offers robust economic and logistics challenges with train mechanics that reward deep thinking. If you enjoy games that test your strategic planning and resource management, this game will be right up your track. The sense of achievement when your plans unfold successfully is matched only by great rivalries that form over the board.
9 1830: Railways & Robber Barons
1830: Railways & Robber Barons takes you to the gritty side of running a railway company. Once we tried it, we were hooked, despite frequent complaints about complex rules. It’s a game where you wear the hat of a shrewd businessman, juggling stocks, managing companies, and building a rail network. It’s not for the faint-hearted or those looking for light-hearted fun, as it challenges your business acumen at every corner. The richness of the game, combined with its historical roots, creates a unique and immersive experience for train and strategy game enthusiasts.
8 Rail Baron
Rail Baron brings an old-school charm with a dose of nostalgia when board games were simpler. Our group had a blast playing, especially when nostalgia kicked in with the old-school vibe. It’s a game about railroad tycoons in the US, amassing wealth through shrewd railroad purchases and strategic routing. The game is straightforward but provides a satisfying experience of acquiring and managing your rail empire. It’s perfect for players who enjoy classic games without overly complex rules, offering a refreshing break from modern, highly strategic board games.
7 Empire Builder
Empire Builder is a game for those who love connecting the dots with rails. Our favorite game night with friends had us plotting and building across North America. This game combines route-building with economic elements, letting you create your empire from scratch. You’ll be marking routes and delivering goods, making every game an epic journey of strategic planning. The thrill of successfully executing your plan and anticipating competitors’ moves gives a unique sense of accomplishment. Plus, the erasable boards keep gameplay fresh every time you play.
6 First Journey: Ticket to Ride
First Journey: Ticket to Ride is perfect for introducing kids to the train theme. It’s simplified but still entertaining enough to keep adults engaged. We played it with our niece, and she beat us fair and square! The game simplifies routes and objectives, making it understandable for younger players while retaining the charm of Ticket to Ride. The game ends as soon as a player completes six tickets, making for a quick and enjoyable play session. It’s a fantastic way to engage kids in board gaming while having family fun.
5 Mexican Train Dominoes
Mexican Train Dominoes isn’t your standard train game, but it brings a fun twist for game nights. One evening, we couldn’t stop laughing when The game is about connecting dominoes to your ‘train’ and creating a strategy with the tiles you draw. Players take turns extending their train’s domino line while trying to be the first to play all their tiles. Despite its simplicity, it offers strategic depth and lots of replayability. Perfect for families, it gets people of all ages engaged and competitive, often ending in fits of laughter.
4 Trains
Trains combines deck-building with board-based route building. We accidentally discovered it one game night, and it became an instant favorite. The game has you drawing cards to buy trains, build stations, and lay tracks. It’s like Dominion with trains attached! The deck-building mechanic adds layers of strategy, as you must balance between growing your deck and expanding your rail network. The replayability is high, thanks to variable setup and different strategies you can explore. The game keeps everyone engaged and can easily become a staple for any game collection.
3 The Railways of Nippon
The Railways of Nippon provides a fantastic integration of Railway building in Japan. It was the center of many intense discussions among our group, leading to moments of intrigue and plotting. Players must navigate Japan’s unique geography, creating rail lines and delivering goods for profit. The game is both challenging and rewarding, offering layers of depth with its mix of logistics and economic strategy. It’s perfect for those who love a bit of a challenge but want a fresh twist on a familiar train theme.
2 Great Western Trail
Great Western Trail is not just about trains but a thrilling journey set in America’s cattle-driven era. We have laughed over countless game nights, trying to outsmart each other. As you trail along the American west, you’ll deliver cattle, build infrastructure, and navigate tricky train routes. It’s an intriguing blend of deck-building, resource management, and route planning. There’s a thrill in making strategic decisions and managing your cattle herds, all while building your railway empire. It’s engrossing and richly rewarding, making it a top choice for seasoned strategists.
1 1846: The Race for the Midwest
1846: The Race for the Midwest stands out as the best train game thanks to its depth and historical authenticity. We’ve never seen a game bond people and stir competitive spirit like this one. Set in the early railroads era, players operate companies, deal with stock shares, and expand routes. It’s strategic, competitive, and historically rich, offering an intense experience. The thrill comes from managing resources, anticipating opponents’ moves, and expanding your railway empire. Despite its complexity, the game keeps engagement high and strategies fresh, ensuring it’s a favorite at any game table.
