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Travel Scrabble: the best portable sets for trips
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For most trips, buy Scrabble to Go or Tile Lock Scrabble: both lock the tiles in place, so a bumped tray or a patch of turbulence will not wreck the game. For a nicer set with wooden tiles, the Deluxe Travel Edition is the pick. All of them play by the standard rules.
Which travel Scrabble should you buy?
Choose by how you travel. Cars, planes, and trains call for tiles that stay put. Cabins and hotel rooms leave more room for a wooden set. The table sums up the main options.
| Set | Tiles | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Scrabble to Go | 100 small plastic tiles that snap into the board | Planes, trains, and cars |
| Tile Lock Scrabble | 100 plastic tiles held by posts on the board | Bumpy rides and a simple setup |
| Deluxe Travel Edition | 100 solid wood tiles on a raised grid | Cabins and regular players |
| Vintage Bookshelf | 100 solid wood tiles, full-size board | A set that looks good at home too |
| World's Smallest Scrabble | Tiny magnetic tiles in a pocket case | A novelty, not a full game |
What makes a good travel set?
Three things matter: whether the tiles stay in place, how small the pieces are, and whether you can pause a game. A full Scrabble game has 100 tiles, and a travel set that lets them slide is more trouble than it is worth.
Smaller tiles also mean smaller print. Check the tile size before you buy. If reading small letters is hard, see our large print Scrabble guide, or leave the board at home and take a no-board word game instead.
Scrabble to Go
Scrabble to Go is a compact set from Winning Moves for 2 to 4 players. The listing says the 100 tiles snap into a plastic grid, so they will not jostle in turbulence. The board folds and zips shut, and closing the lid on the racks locks your tiles in, so you can stop a game and pick it up later.
It comes with four plastic racks with privacy shields, a cloth tile bag, and a score pad. The board measures 7.4 by 8.93 inches and the tiles are half an inch square. The listing itself asks buyers to check that size before ordering, and so should you: it is small.
Tile Lock Scrabble
Tile Lock Scrabble is an all-plastic board with small posts that hold the tiles. The listing says you can bump the board, or even pick it up like a tablet, and the tiles stay put. It has four rubber feet so it does not scratch a table.
The set includes 100 plastic tiles, four racks, and a drawstring bag, and the game plays as normal. The tiles and board are slightly smaller than standard Scrabble, and the board is about 10 inches square. It is a good fit if you want the simplest travel board.
Deluxe Travel Edition
The Deluxe Travel Edition is made by WS Game Company, and its listing says it is officially licensed by Hasbro. It is a folding wood case that opens to 9.8 by 9.2 inches and folds to 9.8 by 4.6 by 2.4 inches, with a magnetic closure. It weighs about 1.5 pounds.
Inside are 100 solid wood tiles, four wooden racks, a fabric pouch, a scorepad, and a pencil. The board has a raised grid that holds the tiles, and sliding panels reveal storage underneath. It is for regular players who want wood and are happy to carry something heavier than a plastic set. It is for 2 to 4 players.
A full-size board that packs small
The Vintage Bookshelf Edition is not a travel set by design, but its listing calls it travel-friendly. The fabric-wrapped case measures 10.6 by 8.4 by 2.6 inches, and the full-size board unfolds flat and packs away with the pieces. It has 100 solid wood tiles and four wooden racks. The tiles are standard size, so it is easier to read than the small sets above. Our luxury Scrabble sets guide has more on it.
Pocket-size Scrabble
World's Smallest Scrabble is a novelty. The case measures 3 by 1.75 by 0.5 inches, the tiles are magnetic, and the listing says it is for 1 to 2 players, ages 8 and up. It is fun for a desk or a stocking, but the tiles are far too small for a full game.
When a board is too much
If you are flying, camping, or sitting in a waiting room, a game without a board may serve you better. Bananagrams comes in a banana-shaped pouch, and its listing calls it great for travel. It has no board and no turns, so everyone plays at once. Quiddler is a card game, and its listing calls it good for travel. Our games like Scrabble guide covers both.
Words With Friends is a free-to-play phone and web game for two players, with the familiar rack of seven tiles. It runs on a device, so there is nothing to pack.
Tips for playing on the move
- Pick a flat surface. A tray table, a book, or a clipboard under the board makes a steadier base than your lap.
- Keep score your way. Our score keeper works on a phone, and the printable score sheet works with no signal.
- Agree on house rules first. Our house rules page lists options for short games, which suit a journey.
- Count the tiles. Before you pack, check you have all 100. Our tile values page lists the distribution.
Common questions
What is the best travel Scrabble set?
For most people, Scrabble to Go or Tile Lock Scrabble. Both hold the tiles in place. For wooden tiles and a nicer case, choose the Deluxe Travel Edition.
How big is a travel Scrabble board?
It varies. Scrabble to Go measures 7.4 by 8.93 inches, Tile Lock Scrabble is about 10 inches square, and the Deluxe Travel Edition opens to 9.8 by 9.2 inches. A standard board is 15 by 15 squares and much larger.
Do travel Scrabble sets have all 100 tiles?
Scrabble to Go, Tile Lock Scrabble, and the Deluxe Travel Edition each list 100 tiles. Count them when the set arrives, because the letter counts are the same as a standard game.
Do the tiles stay in place on a plane?
On Scrabble to Go they snap into the grid, and on Tile Lock Scrabble posts hold them. The Deluxe Travel Edition has a raised grid that reduces sliding. A flat tray table helps with all of them.
Are travel Scrabble tiles smaller than normal?
Yes. Scrabble to Go tiles are half an inch square, and Tile Lock tiles are a little smaller than standard. If you find small letters hard to read, a larger set is a better buy.
Can I pause a game of travel Scrabble?
On Scrabble to Go, close the lid on the racks, fold the board shut, and zip it up. The Deluxe Travel Edition has a magnetic closure that keeps the case shut between games.
Is there a travel Scrabble with wooden tiles?
Yes. The Deluxe Travel Edition has 100 solid wood tiles and four wooden racks in a folding wood case.
What can I play instead of travel Scrabble?
Bananagrams has no board and packs into a pouch, and Quiddler is a card game. For two players on a phone, Words With Friends is free to play.
Related: Which Scrabble set should you buy? · Luxury Scrabble sets · Games like Scrabble · Score keeper · Rules