Looking for a travel tarot deck that won’t take up half my bag. My current one is ridiculously bulky and I just. never bring it anywhere because of that
Are mini decks actually usable or are they more of a novelty thing? Would love to hear what people are using if they read on the go
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The most common is the traditional RWT, but travel size (traditional deck on the right for reference):
And then a lot of oracle decks have their own mini variation these days (sizes vary based on the deck).
The WU travel set has a mini guidebook as well. Great for beginners but you could save even more space just carrying the cards.
If you really want to push it, there are also some mini Tarot decks, but you start to even get into keyring size at that point. You need good eyesight to work with a deck like that!
My full-size deck basically lives on my nightstand because I can’t be bothered to lug it around. The RWT is always a good choice, but if you prefer Oracle decks then these are my travel size picks:
I know some people think the deck is overhyped, but it is popular for a reason.
If that isn’t your vibe, then Everyday Witch is good too:
There’s a big difference between ‘mini’ and ‘pocket’ sizes, and that trips people up more than you’d think. The true minis from Lo Scarabeo are about 44mm by 80mm - roughly 1.7 x 3.1 inches - and they make a ton of them. Celtic Tarot Mini, Pagan Cats Mini, Art Nouveau Mini… the list keeps going. Cute and very packable. But some people find them genuinely hard to shuffle because they’re so small, and the cardstock on the Lo Scarabeo ones is pretty slick too.
If you want something small but still actually comfortable to handle, look at the pocket/bridge size range instead. The Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot Deck in a Tin is 2.25 x 3.75 inches, so bigger than a true mini but way smaller than standard tarot. Comes in a sturdy little tin which is great for throwing in a bag. The images are still clear and readable at that size, and the colors have this nice muted vintage feel since it’s based on Pamela Colman Smith’s original 1909 artwork.
Anything in that pocket/bridge range is fully usable for real readings. The keychain-sized stuff like the Tiny Universal Waite (literally 2 x 3.5 centimeters) is basically impossible to shuffle - more of a collector thing.
I read on the go constantly.
My travel deck is the Radiant Rider-Waite in a Tin, cards are 2 x 3.5 inches and they come in a metal tin that holds up well tossed in a bag. The colors are brighter and more saturated than the standard RWS, which I think helps at the smaller size because the details pop more. Some of the tins can get a bit dented over time if you’re rough with your bag.
One thing people don’t think about with smaller decks - they’re great for bigger spreads when you don’t have a ton of table space. Like if you’re at a cafe or sitting on a park bench, a Celtic Cross with pocket-sized cards takes up way less room than you’d expect. Someone on a US Games review pointed out the same thing.
If you want something with personality beyond the standard RWS look, the Lo Scarabeo mini range has some fun options. The Tarot of Pagan Cats Mini is still based on RWS structure but with cats as all the characters, and people say it’s cute but still readable for intuitive work. The Ceccoli Tarot Mini is another one at 4.4cm by 8cm - reviewers describe it as portable and readable. Lo Scarabeo’s booklets come in five languages, which is nice if you travel internationally.
The Gentle Tarot pocket size is on Kickstarter right now. Already fully funded.
I own the standard size first edition, and the artwork really lends itself to shadow work - the imagery just sits with you and invites deeper reflection. Something about a smaller deck makes that easier to access for me (not sure why, but it does).
The creator is super professional, already has sample decks made, so this one’s basically a sure thing if you back it.
The Sasuraibito Tiny Traveler and White Sage Tarot are my go-to pocket decks. Been eyeing the Rainbow Heart pocket edition preorder too, though the shipping timeline seems kind of unclear right now.
Marshmallow Marseille is fantastic. Just… that box. It will not survive bouncing around loose in your bag, so keep it in a pocket if you can.
For tins, The Wild Unknown travels well. If you want something more traditional, the Centennial RWS or the Morgan-Greer both work great (the Morgan-Greer is gloriously 70s, which is its own selling point).
The Everyday Witch mini is genuinely tiny but still readable and shuffleable if you want to go really compact.
