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Home » Features

Popular Travel Games - Cards, Chess, Charrades, and more

Modified: Mar 4, 2020 · Published: May 22, 2007 by Dave Lee |

Bill plays chess in a hostel in Amsterdam

Card games and chess are ubiquitous with a backpacker's life on the road. Both options are popular and proven ways to casually get to know fellow travelers, often in hostel common areas. Whether you're kicking a party night off with a drinking game, killing time on a rainy day, or simply enjoy the quiet challenge of a chess match, social connections are always an invitation away.

Cards

The best known, and therefore most common card games, include Hearts, Spades, Gin (Rummy), and Poker. These games frequent develop on train rides and during rainy afternoons when everyone is hostel-bound. Drinking games include the ever-popular Asshole and Bullshit. Usually, there is always one person in a given hostel common room familiar with the rules of these popular games, so don't be afraid to suggest one even if you don't know how to play.

Chess

For those who appreciate a slower pace to their competitive endeavors, chess can provide ample time to not only get to know your opponent, but to impress your fellow travelers with your intense patience and intellectual prowess. My fondest memory of a chess game was last year when an 18-year old German guy taught me some basic strategy the night before I left Flores, Guatemala. I was actually able to beat another person (vs. the more common stalemate) using the tips.

Fishing in BelizeCharades

Picture this: after an afternoon of fishing off the coast of a small Caribbean island with new friends you met the day before, and barbecuing your fresh catch together under the moonlight, you sit around on the sandy beach and strike up a game of charades. Such was my experience in Belize last year on Caye Caulker. I had to act out "Alf," and to my surprise, a girl guessed it despite my lame attempts to walk like the furry alien TV character.

Truth or Dare

While I have yet to play Truth or Dare in my adult life, it falls under a common category of more personal, conversational games which focus on eliciting stories and experiences from one's past. Inevitably, these games result in flushing out the sexual histories of their participants.

What games have you enjoyed (or avoided) during your travels?

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. Timen says

    May 22, 2007 at 10:25 am

    Maybe this is just me, but I really don't like playing card games when traveling. Or any games. I'm there to explore! :-)

    • Dave says

      May 22, 2007 at 9:04 pm

      I certainly don't go out of my way to stay in and play games, however they can be a fun way to unwind after a day of exploring. As Stu mentioned, they can also be a cheaper night than going out to a bar!

  2. Timen says

    May 22, 2007 at 6:25 am

    Maybe this is just me, but I really don't like playing card games when traveling. Or any games. I'm there to explore! :-)

    • Dave says

      May 22, 2007 at 5:04 pm

      I certainly don't go out of my way to stay in and play games, however they can be a fun way to unwind after a day of exploring. As Stu mentioned, they can also be a cheaper night than going out to a bar!

  3. Stu says

    May 22, 2007 at 12:08 pm

    drinking games were popular travel games most everywhere I went... lol

  4. Stu says

    May 22, 2007 at 8:08 am

    drinking games were popular travel games most everywhere I went... lol

  5. Free Games says

    January 19, 2010 at 2:22 am

    Cards games! Is a games that always played if I go with my cousins.. after a day traveling we usually spent the night together by doing bbq and play cards with some funny punishment if someone's looses the game

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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