10 Best Offline Games for Airplane Mode (No WiFi Needed)

Quick Answer

The best offline games for airplane mode — no WiFi needed — include Alto’s Odyssey and Crossy Road (relaxing arcade), Smash Hit (reflex), Traffic Rider and Asphalt Nitro (racing), Plants vs Zombies 2 (strategy), and Streets of Rage 4 (paid, premium). On iOS, add Playdead’s Inside, Subway Surfers and Brain Test. Download them before you fly — while some show ads when online, all play fully offline once installed.

Offline games are the perfect way to kill time while travelling — no signal required, so they keep you entertained from take-off to landing. They’re not just for flights, either: they’re great whenever you’re without a connection or want to avoid using data. Below are the best offline games for Android and iOS, what each is like, and a couple of tips for a smooth airborne gaming session. (For games to play on a school or work network instead, see our guide to unblocked games for school.)

Best Offline Android Games at a Glance

#	Game	Genre
1	Zombie Hunter	Shooter
2	Cover Fire	Shooter
3	Smash Hit	Reflex / arcade
4	Traffic Rider	Racing
5	Asphalt Nitro	Racing
6	Crossy Road	Arcade
7	Plants vs Zombies 2	Strategy
8	Alto’s Odyssey	Adventure
9	Sea Battle 2	Strategy
10	Streets of Rage 4 (paid)	Beat ’em up

The Best Offline Android Games

1. Zombie Hunter

A high-graphics shooter where you take down zombies, from the well-known creators of Dead Target and Dead Warfare. Plays fully offline. The main drawback is a limited set of levels, so you’ll replay the same stages — which can get repetitive on a long flight. Get it on Google Play.

2. Cover Fire

Lead a squad and shoot enemies with guns and snipers, earning a few seconds of extra time per successful hit. There are two sniper characters to choose from. It’s an enjoyable offline shooter, though it can occasionally crash on lower-end phones. Get it on Google Play.

3. Smash Hit

A beautifully atmospheric reflex game: travel forward and smash glass obstacles in time with mesmerising sound and music. It rewards focus and timing, and Play Store reviewers frequently rank it among the very best offline games for airplane mode. Get it on Google Play.

4. Traffic Rider

If you enjoyed Traffic Racer, you’ll love this. A first-person motorbike racer with a full career mode that feels like riding a real bike, with endless scenic views for unlimited play. Some reviewers find later stages tough, but that’s part of the challenge. Get it on Google Play.

5. Asphalt Nitro

A compact version of Gameloft’s luxurious Asphalt racing series, with real supercars (Lamborghini, Ferrari) and nitro boosts across demanding tracks. One of the most thrilling racers on the Play Store and a perfect offline pick — no internet required. Get it on Google Play.

6. Crossy Road

Low-graphics but wonderfully addictive: cross endless busy roads and rivers without getting hit. Over 200 million players have tried it. It shows ads when you’re online, so airplane mode actually makes for a cleaner, ad-free experience. Get it on Google Play.

7. Plants vs Zombies 2

A superb action-strategy game: defend against waves of hilarious zombies across time by planting an arsenal of plants. Deep, charming and endlessly replayable. Some users report occasional device-specific bugs, but it remains a standout offline title. Get it on Google Play.

8. Alto’s Odyssey

A gorgeous, serene endless-sandboarding adventure across dunes, canyons and hidden temples, with relaxing music and beautifully smooth gameplay. Perfect for unwinding on a flight — arguably the most calming game on this list. Get it on Google Play.

9. Sea Battle 2

A modern take on Battleship: place your fleet, then launch attacks with an arsenal of weapons to sink your opponent’s ships. The single-player mode plays offline (multiplayer needs a connection). Simple, strategic and fun. Get it on Google Play.

10. Streets of Rage 4 (Paid)

If you loved classic beat ’em ups like Tekken, this premium title is a must-have. Fight through waves of enemies with satisfying combos and gorgeous hand-drawn art. It’s paid (around $8.99) but well worth it for a console-quality offline experience. Get it on Google Play.

Best Offline iOS Games

iPhone and iPad users have an equally strong lineup that plays without WiFi:

#	Game	Genre
1	Playdead’s Inside (paid)	Puzzle-adventure
2	Offroad Car Simulator	Driving sim
3	Traffic Rider	Racing
4	Subway Surfers	Endless runner
5	Mimpi Dreams (paid)	Adventure
6	Dream Walker	Arcade
7	Freestyle Motocross Skill 3D	Racing
8	Brain Test: Tricky Puzzles	Puzzle
9	Hunter Assassin	Stealth arcade

Standouts: Playdead’s Inside is a hauntingly beautiful award-winning puzzle-adventure; Subway Surfers is the endlessly replayable runner everyone knows; and Brain Test serves up clever, funny puzzles perfect for passing time.

Tips for Gaming on Airplane Mode

• Download before you fly: install and open each game once on WiFi — some fetch extra data on first launch.
• Airplane mode saves battery and blocks ads in many free games, so your session is both longer and cleaner.
• Check “plays offline” on the store page before travelling — a few otherwise-offline games gate certain modes behind a connection.
• Bring a battery pack for long flights; graphics-heavy racers drain batteries fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What games can I play offline on a plane?
Any of the titles above — Alto’s Odyssey, Crossy Road, Smash Hit, Traffic Rider, Asphalt Nitro, Plants vs Zombies 2 and more all play fully offline once installed.

Which apps work in airplane mode?
Any app already installed on your phone can open offline, though some features that need the internet won’t work. Offline games, downloaded music and ebooks all work fine in airplane mode.

What’s the best offline game overall?
It depends on taste, but Alto’s Odyssey (relaxing), Asphalt Nitro (racing) and Subway Surfers (runner) are among the most popular and consistently well-reviewed.

Do offline games still show ads?
Many free games show ads only when connected — so playing in airplane mode often removes them entirely, which is a nice bonus.

Do I need to download anything before my flight?
Yes — install and launch each game once while you still have WiFi, since some download additional data or assets on first run.