There are a lot of tips and tricks to learn about managing your growing civ in Civilization 7, but a key mechanic for long-term success is forming trade routes with the other Leaders. Even if you're aiming to dominate the world with a military victory, you will want to leverage the resources of other civs before you eventually go to war with them. Trade routes between cities have been in the series for years now, but they look a bit different in this version since it no longer hinges on diplomacy like before. There's no need to spend your Influence on us since we're more than happy to trade all the information you need about how to set up trade routes for free.
How to establish trade routes
Trade routes can be formed between your cities and towns and any other Leader's properties. Doing so will allow you to gain access to all of the natural resources that specific location currently holds. This can give you access to a ton of buffs that might otherwise be inaccessible, but you do need to do a little work to set it up.
Step 1: Start a game and find at least one other civ on the map.
Step 2: While you're doing step 1, make sure you check the Civic Tree and work towards researching the Code of Laws.
Step 3: Once you have finished researching the Code of Laws, you can build or buy a Merchant unit.
Step 4: Select your Merchant and it will show you all the trade routes, both possible and not possible, as well as all the potential resources you will get in each.
Trade routes may not be possible if your Merchant cannot physically reach that location or you have a bad relationship with that Leader.
Step 5: Select one that is possible and the map will take you to that location.
Step 6: Have your Merchant unit travel to that town.
Step 7: Wait as many turns as it takes for them to navigate there.
Step 8: Once the Merchant arrives, click the icon of two arrows pointing in either direction to establish a trade route. This will "consume" your Merchant.
