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Ticket to Ride: Ghost Train Tutorial

Posted on by Anthony Ciotti
Ticket to Ride Ghost Train
21
Apr

Ticket to Ride: Ghost Train is a family-friendly, Halloween-themed version of the classic Ticket to Ride series, designed for younger players aged 6 and up. It simplifies the original game mechanics to make it accessible and fun for kids, with a typical playtime of 15 to 30 minutes.​

🎲 Game Components

  • 1 map of a Spookytown
  • 80 haunted carriage pieces
  • 72 Parade Float cards
  • 33 Tickets
  • 4 “Trick or Treat” Bonus Tickets
  • 1 set of rules

🧩 Objective

Players aim to collect Parade Float cards, claim routes on the map, and connect locations such as the Mad Scientist’s Lab, Gingerbread House, and Lonely Barn. Completing these routes earns points and brings them closer to victory.​

📋 Setup

  1. Lay out the game board depicting a map of a haunted town.
  2. Each player receives four Parade Float cards and two Tickets.
  3. Players place their ghost train pieces in the starting area.​

🔄 Turn Overview

On a player’s turn, they can choose one of the following actions:

  1. Draw Parade Float Cards: Take two Parade Float cards from the deck.
  2. Claim a Route: Play Parade Float cards that match the color and number of spaces of an unclaimed route to place their ghost trains on it.
  3. Draw Tickets: Take two new Tickets if they cannot complete any of their current Tickets.​

If a player successfully connects the two locations on a Ticket with their ghost trains, they reveal the Ticket and draw a new one.​

🎃 Trick or Treat Bonus

If a player creates a continuous route from the Dark Forest region to the Seashore region, they earn the Trick or Treat Bonus Ticket, which provides additional points.​

🏁 Winning the Game

The game ends when a player completes a set number of Tickets, depending on the number of players. The player with the most completed Tickets and points from the Trick or Treat Bonus wins the game.​

👻 How to Play Ticket to Ride: Ghost Train — A Spooky Twist on a Classic

Whether you’re gearing up for a cozy Halloween game night or introducing younger players to the world of board games, Ticket to Ride: Ghost Train is a perfect pick. It’s a kid-friendly, Halloween-themed version of the classic Ticket to Ride, designed for players as young as six. With simplified rules and charmingly spooky artwork, it makes for a fun and accessible entry into the world of strategic board gaming.

🧙‍♀️ What’s in the Box?

Here’s what you’ll find when you open Ghost Train:

  • 1 Haunted town game board
  • 80 Haunted Carriage pieces (your ghostly trains!)
  • 72 Parade Float cards (think of these like your fuel for moving)
  • 33 Ticket cards
  • 4 Trick or Treat Bonus Tickets
  • 1 Rulebook

Each component is delightfully themed to capture the spooky, whimsical atmosphere of a haunted Halloween town.

🎯 Objective of the Game

Your goal is to complete route Tickets by connecting spooky destinations—like the Mad Scientist’s Lab, the Lonely Barn, or the Gingerbread House—with your Haunted Carriages. Complete the most Tickets and earn the Trick or Treat Bonus to win!

🛠️ Setup

Setting up Ghost Train is quick and simple:

  1. Lay the board flat so everyone can reach it.
  2. Each player picks a color and takes their set of Haunted Carriage pieces.
  3. Shuffle the Parade Float cards and deal 4 to each player.
  4. Shuffle the Ticket cards and deal 2 to each player—you’ll work on completing these first.
  5. Place the Trick or Treat Bonus cards to the side.

Now you’re ready to start haunting!

🔄 How to Play: Turn by Turn

On your turn, you can choose one of these actions:

  1. Draw Parade Float Cards
  • Pick two cards from the face-up display or the draw pile.
  • These are color-coded and used to claim routes.
  1. Claim a Route
  • To claim a route between two spooky spots, play Parade Float cards that match the color and number of spaces on that route.
  • Example: If a route is three orange spaces, play 3 orange Parade Float cards to place your Haunted Carriages on it.
  • Gray routes can be claimed using any color, but all the cards must be the same.
  1. Draw New Tickets
  • If you’re feeling stuck or want more goals, draw two more Tickets and try to complete them.

📬 Ticket Cards: Your Missions

Each Ticket card shows two locations. If you successfully create a continuous path of Haunted Carriages connecting those spots, you’ve completed the Ticket! Reveal it and draw a new one to keep your ghost train rolling.

🍬 Trick or Treat Bonus

Complete a route that stretches from the Dark Forest to the Seashore, and you earn the Trick or Treat Bonus Ticket—a sweet point bonus at the end of the game!

🏁 Ending the Game & Winning

The game ends when one player places all their Haunted Carriages on the board or when the Ticket pile runs out (depending on player count). Everyone gets one final turn, then it’s time to count points:

  • Each completed Ticket = 1 point
  • Trick or Treat Bonus = 1 point
  • The player with the most points wins!

Ties? You all share the win—because even ghosts like teamwork.

👦👧 Why It’s Great for Kids (and Adults!)

Ghost Train is a fantastic intro to the Ticket to Ride series:

  • Simplified rules with the same strategic charm
  • Quick games (about 15–30 minutes)
  • Adorable Halloween artwork
  • Teaches planning, color matching, and decision-making

Plus, it’s great for families, classrooms, or casual gaming nights when you want something seasonal but not scary.

Final Thoughts

Ticket to Ride: Ghost Train is more than just a spooky reskin of Ticket to Ride: First Journey —it’s a thoughtfully designed gateway game for young players or families looking for some Halloween magic. It keeps the spirit (pun intended) of the original while making it perfectly kid-sized.

So grab some candy, light up the jack-o’-lanterns, and let the ghost trains roll! 🎃🚂👻