Take to the skies and race around the world!

In Around the World in 80 Gusts, every player becomes the captain of an expedition balloon. Your goal is to cross continents and oceans, complete the route and return home in fewer travel days than your rivals.

Each Forecast reveals different winds at Low, Middle and High altitude. Choose the best flight path, manage your Food and Fuel, prepare for turbulent weather and decide when to land for repairs or supplies. Flying at night can help you travel farther—but only if you can solve a Star Signal correctly.

The world route takes captains from London to Cairo, Jaipur, Tokyo, Honolulu and San Francisco, before the final flight back to London. Families can also begin with the shorter Pacific Challenge, racing from Tokyo to Honolulu and San Francisco.

Every flight is a strategic decision

• Read the current wind and preview the weather ahead.

• Choose between Low, Middle and High altitude.

• Pack Food, Fuel and two pieces of useful equipment.

• Face storms, cloud, damaged equipment and unexpected encounters.

• Navigate at night by solving fictional constellation puzzles.

• Decide when to continue flying and when to stop for Service.

• Balance speed against safety and limited supplies.

• Record your travel time as you race between destinations.

The captain with the fewest travel days wins. If captains finish with the same time, spare movement and remaining supplies decide the result.

Two ways to play

World Race
Complete the full six-stage, 42-distance journey around the globe.

Pacific Challenge
A shorter two-stage race from Tokyo to Honolulu and San Francisco—ideal for learning the game or playing a quicker adventure.

What is included?

• 100 illustrated game cards

• 40 tracking counters

• 5 sets of Balloon, Journey, Supply and Time cards

• 6 Stage cards

• 12 Forecast cards

• 20 Encounter cards

• 20 Star Signal cards

• 20 Equipment cards

• 2 Reference cards

• Eight-page rules leaflet

Product details

• Players: 2–5

• Recommended age: 10+

• Game type: Family strategy, adventure and navigation card game

• Skills: Planning, decision-making, resource management, direction and logical thinking

• Two game modes: World Race and Pacific Challenge

• Made in the UK

With changing weather, different equipment combinations and unpredictable encounters, every expedition creates a new story. Will you risk a night flight for extra speed, climb above the clouds or conserve your Fuel for the difficult journey ahead?

Pack your balloon, catch the wind and race the world in 80 Gusts.