Farflung: rarer answers take you further
Five geography clues, with many right countries to choose from. Pick one that fits, drop your pin on the world map, and aim beyond the obvious: less familiar correct answers earn more kilometres.
Rare Routes opens in Daily, with the same five clues for everyone. Choose Unlimited at the top for another journey whenever you like. Both modes give you 60 seconds and one answer per clue.
How to play Rare Routes
- Read the clue. Each prompt has several right answers. Think of a country that fits, then see whether a less obvious one comes to mind.
- Choose one country. Select it on the map, or type its name and choose a search result. Drag to pan; scroll or pinch to zoom. You can change your selection before you drop the pin.
- Lock in your answer. Drop your pin before the 60-second clock runs out. A correct country earns 40–100 km; a wrong answer, skip or timeout earns zero.
- Explore the reveal. See how your country scored and browse the other possible answers before moving on. Five clues make one journey.
Prefer a keyboard? Search for a country, press Enter to select a result, then press Enter again to lock it in. The searchable list also makes small islands easier to choose.
How Rare Routes scoring works
Finding any correct answer gets you moving. A less obvious country can earn more kilometres than the first answer that comes to mind.
| Country tier | Kilometres |
|---|---|
| Common | 40 km |
| Uncommon | 55 km |
| Rare | 70 km |
| Elusive | 85 km |
| Farflung | 100 km |
A country keeps the same tier across clues. Five top-tier answers make a perfect journey of 500 km.
One minute per clue
You have 60 seconds to choose and drop each pin. The clock keeps running if you switch tabs. If time runs out, that clue earns zero and the accepted countries are revealed. Move on when you are ready.
Tips for finding a less obvious country
- Find a safe answer first. Think of a country you are sure fits. Then see whether you can name another.
- Work around the map. Check one region at a time instead of trying to remember the whole world at once.
- Read the exact condition. Name clues use the country name shown in search. Border clues ask for a land border, not just a shared sea.
- Learn from each reveal. An unexpected correct country is useful knowledge for your next game.
Rare Routes FAQ
Can more than one country be correct?
Yes. A clue can fit many countries. Choose one, then open Possible countries after your answer to see the others.
Is there a daily puzzle?
Yes. Daily is selected when you arrive and gives everyone the same five clues. A new journey arrives at local midnight.
Can I keep playing?
Yes. Choose Unlimited at the top for a new journey, then Play again after your five clues for another. Finishing Daily also gives you an Unlimited button.
Can I play past puzzles?
Open Past puzzles to choose a daily journey. The archive begins with October 22, 2026.
Does a refresh save my progress?
Daily keeps your submitted answers and result in this browser. Unlimited starts fresh when you reload.
Do I have to know exactly where a country is?
No. The world map is one way to choose. You can also search for a country by name, which is handy for small countries and islands.
Can I challenge a friend?
Yes. Select Share on your results to send the same five clues to a friend and compare how far you travel.
Is Rare Routes free to play?
Yes. Play free in your browser, with no account or download.
Keep exploring
Try drawing countries from memory in Border Recall, or take a break with another of our free browser games.