Traveling can be a wonderful experience, but there are times when you need something to pass the time—whether you’re waiting for a flight, stuck on a long train ride, or simply relaxing at your destination. That’s where travel game apps come in handy. These games can be a great way to entertain yourself during downtime while keeping your mind engaged and entertained.
Travel Game Apps
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the top 20 travel games you can play both with and without an internet connection. From puzzle games to strategy adventures and everything in between, these games are perfect for your next trip, ensuring you stay entertained no matter where you are.
Why Play Travel Games?
Before diving into the top 20 travel games, let’s look at why playing games during travel is such a great idea:
- Relaxation: Games can help reduce the stress of travel, whether you’re navigating a crowded airport or facing a long layover.
- Engagement: Games stimulate your brain, keeping you sharp and focused, especially if the journey gets monotonous.
- Entertainment: Games offer a break from endless scrolling on social media or reading, adding variety to your travel routine.
Now, let’s jump into the top travel games that you can play both online and offline, perfect for any traveler.
Top 20 Travel Games You Can Play with and Without the Internet
1. Alto’s Odyssey
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
Alto’s Odyssey is a stunning endless runner game set in a beautiful desert landscape. You control Alto, a sandboarder who glides through deserts, canyons, and temples, performing tricks and collecting coins along the way. The game’s serene visuals and soothing music make it perfect for relaxing during travel, and the fact that you can play it offline means it’s great for flights or areas without internet access.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Simple yet engaging gameplay
- Calming atmosphere and beautiful graphics
Play Online Game:
- Moto X3M
- Dunk Digger
- Slope Run
- Hanger 2
- Time Shooter 2
- Retro Bowl Game
- Snow Rider 3D
- Dots and Boxes
- Pixel Speedrun
Also checkout: Pokemon Smash or Pass a popular game among fans of Pokemon
2. Monument Valley 2
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
A beautiful, mind-bending puzzle game, Monument Valley 2 takes you through stunning geometric landscapes as you guide a mother and her child through optical illusions and architecture. Its calming, immersive experience makes it the perfect companion for quiet moments during travel.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Visually striking and thought-provoking puzzles
- Short levels perfect for quick play sessions
3. Subway Surfers
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
A popular endless runner, Subway Surfers is all about speed and quick reflexes. Set in various cities around the world, the player controls a character running through subway tracks, avoiding obstacles and collecting coins. This game is fast-paced, colorful, and doesn’t require an internet connection, making it ideal for long journeys.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Fast-paced and easy to pick up
- Fun visuals and challenging gameplay
4. Plague Inc.
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
In Plague Inc., you control a deadly pathogen with the goal of wiping out humanity before a cure is found. The game is a strategic simulation that requires careful planning and adaptation. It’s a bit darker than your usual travel game, but it’s incredibly immersive and engaging.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Strategic and challenging
- Unique concept and gameplay
5. Words with Friends 2
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: No (Requires Internet)
Words with Friends 2 is a classic word game that’s a great way to stay mentally sharp during travel. It’s similar to Scrabble, where you compete against friends or strangers to build words from given letters. Although it requires an internet connection, it’s perfect for layovers or when you have reliable Wi-Fi access.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Engages your mind
- Play with friends or strangers around the world
- Can be played in short bursts
6. 8 Ball Pool
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: No (Requires Internet)
8 Ball Pool is one of the best multiplayer pool games available for mobile devices. You can play with friends or compete in online tournaments. The gameplay is smooth, and the physics are realistic, making it a great choice for a quick, competitive game while waiting for your next destination.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Multiplayer mode to play with friends
- Simple yet addictive gameplay
- Tournaments and challenges keep things exciting
7. Plants vs. Zombies 2
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
Plants vs. Zombies 2 is a fun, quirky tower defense game where you defend your home against zombies using a variety of plants. With new levels and a range of plant-based attacks to unlock, it’s endlessly replayable and easy to play in short bursts—perfect for travel downtime.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Fun and light-hearted
- Suitable for both quick games and long sessions
8. Minecraft
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes (Single-player)
In Minecraft, the popular sandbox game, you can build anything you imagine, mine resources, and explore vast landscapes. Whether you’re in creative mode or survival mode, Minecraft offers endless hours of entertainment, making it a great game for long journeys. The best part is that it can be played offline, as long as you’re in single-player mode.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play in single-player mode
- Limitless creative possibilities
- Engaging and time-consuming for long trips
9. Mini Metro
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
In Mini Metro, you design the layout of a metro system for a growing city. The game starts simply but becomes more complex as the city expands, requiring you to rethink your routes and optimize your subway network. The minimalist design and strategic challenge make it a great game for travel.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Minimalist, relaxing gameplay
- Strategic and challenging
10. Asphalt 9: Legends
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes (Limited)
Asphalt 9: Legends is a high-octane racing game with impressive graphics and fast-paced gameplay. While the multiplayer features require an internet connection, there are offline modes that let you enjoy single-player racing against AI opponents, making it perfect for travel.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Stunning graphics
- Offline play (limited)
- Exciting, fast-paced racing
11. Candy Crush Saga
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
A classic puzzle game that almost needs no introduction, Candy Crush Saga is perfect for passing the time on a long trip. With hundreds of levels, this match-three puzzle game will keep you entertained for hours. The game is playable offline, although some features do require an internet connection.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Addictive and challenging
- Endless levels to keep you entertained
12. Real Racing 3
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes (Limited)
For car enthusiasts, Real Racing 3 is one of the best mobile racing games available. It features realistic physics, stunning graphics, and a variety of real-world tracks and cars. While it does offer an online multiplayer mode, you can enjoy the offline time trials and challenges when you don’t have an internet connection.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play (time trials)
- Realistic driving experience
- Gorgeous graphics
13. Sudoku by Brainium
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
If you’re a fan of puzzle games, Sudoku by Brainium is one of the best Sudoku apps available. With various difficulty levels, this game will keep your mind engaged during travel. Best of all, you can play offline, making it ideal for flights or remote destinations.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Keeps your mind sharp
- Multiple difficulty levels
14. Hill Climb Racing 2
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
Hill Climb Racing 2 is a physics-based racing game where you control a vehicle over uneven terrain. The goal is to reach the finish line without crashing, and along the way, you collect coins to upgrade your vehicle. The offline mode makes it a great game for travel when Wi-Fi isn’t available.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Fun, quirky physics
- Easy to play in short bursts
15. Shadow Fight 3
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes (Limited)
Shadow Fight 3 is a martial arts-based fighting game where you face off against a variety of opponents using different weapons and techniques. The game’s smooth animations and exciting combat make it perfect for quick gaming sessions while traveling. Although there are online features, you can play the campaign offline.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play (campaign mode)
- Smooth, engaging combat
- Great for quick gaming sessions
16. Limbo
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
Limbo is an atmospheric platformer that takes you through eerie and mysterious environments as you solve puzzles and avoid deadly traps. The game’s unique art style and haunting soundtrack make it an immersive experience, perfect for solo travel. Limbo can be played entirely offline.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Immersive and atmospheric
- Great for puzzle-solving fans
17. Bloons TD 6
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
Bloons TD 6 is a highly popular tower defense game where you must stop waves of balloons from reaching the end of the track by strategically placing towers. It offers hours of strategic gameplay and can be played offline, making it ideal for travel.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Strategic and challenging
- Addictive gameplay
18. Crossy Road
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
Crossy Road is an arcade-style game where you guide various characters across roads, rivers, and train tracks while avoiding obstacles. Its simple controls, colorful graphics, and endless replayability make it a great game to play during travel. The offline mode is perfect for areas with no internet.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Simple, addictive gameplay
- Quick rounds perfect for short breaks
19. Clash of Clans
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: No (Requires Internet)
Clash of Clans is a popular strategy game where you build and manage your own village, train troops, and battle other players. While it requires an internet connection to play, it’s a great game for competitive travelers who enjoy long-term strategic planning and teamwork.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Engages your strategic thinking
- Play with friends or join clans worldwide
- Long-term progression keeps it exciting
20. Stardew Valley
Platform: iOS, Android
Offline: Yes
Stardew Valley is an incredibly popular farming simulation game that offers a relaxing and immersive experience. You can grow crops, raise animals, and interact with villagers as you build your dream farm. Its offline mode makes it ideal for long flights or areas without internet access.
Why It’s Great for Travel:
- Offline play
- Relaxing and immersive
- Long gameplay sessions perfect for extended trips
Final Thoughts: Best Travel Games for Any Situation
Whether you’re on a long flight, stuck in a layover, or just waiting for your next destination, these top 20 travel games offer the perfect way to pass the time. With options for both offline and online play, you can find something to entertain you no matter where you are or what your internet connection is like.
From strategic tower defense games like Bloons TD 6 to relaxing adventures like Alto’s Odyssey and fast-paced racing in Asphalt 9, there’s a game on this list for every type of traveler. So, the next time you’re on the go, be sure to download a few of these games to keep your journey fun and entertaining!