From Mahjong to Dominoes, the Best Travel Game Sets

You choose your travel buddies carefully for a reason—there’s a special balance that needs to happen, planners and go-with-the-flow-ers coming together in the same landscape. The same goes for the people you gather around for a game of cards (or backgammon, or dominoes, or Mahjong). Over the past year, a group of friends and I have toted a beloved Mahjong set across New York City, gathering in each other’s homes to learn the ropes of this age-old game—proof that travel sets can have a life outside of airplane trays and Airbnb dining tables. There’s something glamorous about investing in a beautifully crafted backgammon board, a lacquered chess set, or a leather-wrapped deck of cards; something that’ll look just as at home on a coffee table as it does tucked into a weekender.

So whether you’re waiting out a delayed flight in an airport lounge, lingering over aperitivo hour on a vine-covered villa terrace, or packing up for a long day at the beach, a thoughtfully designed game set can make even the smallest vacation moments memorable. Ahead, we gathered some of our favorite luxury travel sets worth the space in your luggage.

This vibrant design from The Mahjong House makes a very compelling case for upgrading your tiles. Illustrations of peacocks, butterflies, and florals turn each acrylic tile into a miniature work of art, while the colorful palette feels perfectly suited for a poolside picnic table. The 160-piece American Mahjong set includes everything you’ll need to play, making it an easy choice for group getaways where afternoons naturally drift into game night.

There’s a case to be made for every tic-tac-toe set being a travel tic-tac-toe set, due quite simply to its size; but this leather kit transforms one of the world’s simplest games into a luxury accessory. It comes with a structured zip-around case, logo-stamped playing pieces, and the house’s signature crosshatch leather. Measuring just over five inches square, it’s compact enough to slip into your plane bag (and, later, your mini beaded vacation purse), making it a stylish companion for long flights, beach club afternoons, or cocktails on the hotel terrace.

Housed in a buttery leather sleeve that’s unmistakably Bottega, this comes with two custom decks created in collaboration with legendary Italian cardmaker Modiano. The illustrated cards pay tribute to the house’s artisans, depicting the meticulous craft behind its signature Intrecciato weaving—meaning each hand is a subtle nod to Italian design heritage. If you’re playing with a group and need multiple sets, it’ll come in handy.

This is a classic game reimagined, with glossy resin tiles housed in a calfskin case that’s almost too beautiful to tuck away in your bag. Almost. This case is small enough for spontaneous games by the lake, in an airport lounge, or after a long lunch that stretches into sunset cocktails—even the simplest games deserve first-class treatment.

Croc-embossed Italian leather, gold hardware, and a beautifully crafted nappa leather board are the headlines here—the vibe is very much “beach club in Capri” or “fireside lodge in Aspen.” The best part: The zip-around case keeps every piece neatly in place, so it’s just as practical as it is polished.

Few things slow a trip down (in the best way) quite like an unhurried game of chess. Pendleton’s travel-ready design leans into that ritual with a roll-up board printed in one of the heritage brand’s iconic patterns, reversible wooden pieces, and a vegan leather pouch for toting it around. It’s less about winning and more about claiming an hour with nowhere else to be—consider it an invitation to trade screen time for something a little more timeless.

Smythson’s backgammon set swaps the traditional bulky case for a slim roll made from the British brand’s signature cross-grain calf leather. It unfurls to reveal a smooth leather playing surface that folds back up in seconds when it’s time to head to dinner. Equal parts travel accessory and heirloom, it’s the kind of travel game that’s destined to collect passport stamps right alongside you.

Everyone knows someone who insists they’re "not competitive"—right until the dice come out. That’s the magic of Yatzy, a simple game that’s equal parts luck and strategy and easy enough for anyone to join in. Printworks dresses up this favorite with its signature book-style box, turning it into something you’ll happily display on a bookshelf between trips. It’s a great antidote to long layovers, rainy vacation afternoons, and the inevitable "What should we do now?”

This elevated take on Connect 4 skips the neon plastic in favor of painted wood and a playful palette that feels more boutique hotel than family game closet. It folds neatly for travel, comes together in seconds, and is guaranteed to spark a little friendly trash talk between sightseeing stops.

Hidden inside Rimowa’s signature aluminum attaché is a complete American Mahjong set, where hand-painted resin tiles, leather accents, and precision-engineered compartments turn every round into a design experience. It’s certainly a splurge, but it’s also the sort of piece that gets passed from one generation of travelers to the next (and makes a thoughtful wedding gift for the couple who loves the game).

Verve Culture’s Mahjong set pairs handmade wooden tiles with a mango wood storage box that feels worlds away from the plastic versions many of us grew up with. It’s classic without feeling fussy—proof that heirloom-worthy doesn’t have to mean eye-wateringly expensive.

There are few travel companions as reliable as a simple deck of cards. F. Hammann elevates that humble essential with a handcrafted full-grain leather case lined in soft suede, made in Germany by the country’s oldest leather goods manufacturer.