London is the only city that currently has two Race Across the World experiences, so it’s natural that they get compared to each other quite often. But is it really a fair comparison?
No matter where you do the race, Race Across the World: The Experience has the same rules and game mechanics: no public transport, no maps and teamwork is a must. But that’s pretty much where the similarities end, even when there are two separate races in one city.
Each race is an adventure through a city or a location that highlights hidden gems and spots you may never have visited before, or if you’re a local, never taken the time to really explore it.
We’ve also thrown in plenty of riddles, unique physical, escape room-style puzzles and a virtual budget for you to take care of, so there’s plenty to keep you busy regardless of location.
Read on to find out more about Race Across the World: The Experience in London and which location might appeal to you more for different reasons. And if you happen to do both, let us know - we love seeing team names repeated on leaderboards across the country!
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A Tale of Two Starting Lines: Where The Races Begin
Just as the names of the experiences suggest, both Race Across the World experiences in London start and unfold in completely different areas of London.
The City of London race starts at Liverpool Street Station, right in the thick of the City’s fast-paced commuter backdrop. As far as start lines go, this one is full of stark contrasts of modern and ancient London side by side.
In contrast, the West End starting location is Green Park Tube Station, so players who start the game here begin the race surrounded by royal park greenery, Mayfair prestige and theatrical buzz.
Unravelling The Route: Ancient Londinium vs Regency Glamour
No spoilers here, but if you know anything about either location already, it’s probably enough to give you a bit of a clue about what to expect in terms of famous route highlights. But don’t underestimate how many surprises you’ll come across as well.
The City of London is the nucleus of it all: where the story of London began and the beating heart of the city. Expect traces of Romans, modern architectural marvels, and everything in between. This race follows in the footsteps of London's ancient past and takes players on a winding, whirlwind tour through each of the City’s eras.
On the other hand, London’s West End might be newer, but what it lacks in Roman activity it more than makes up for with glitz and glamour. Built primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries, the West End is a vibrant, high-energy entertainment hub perfect for racing. Criss-cross over Soho, Covent Garden and Mayfair, tracking down the iconic people and places that put this star-studded corner of London on the map.
Puzzles and Clues: Deciphering The Streets
No matter where you play Race Across the World: The Experience, your team will have to tackle three physical puzzles located at hidden checkpoints along the way.
Each physical puzzle you’ll encounter on Race Across the World: The Experience is unique, so if you decide to play both routes at different times, you won’t have any advantage.
Again, we don’t want to give away any spoilers, but we can promise that the puzzles will appeal to fans of Race Across the World and anybody who’s interested in global travel, culture and the challenges that come with navigating in unfamiliar territory.
Pit Stop Strategy: The Checkpoints
The good news is, both of the Race Across the World experiences in London have top notch built in checkpoints, so when it comes to rehydrating or just resting up, you’ll do it in style no matter which race you pick.
The majority of checkpoints on Race Across the World: The Experience are pubs and cafes, and they’ve all been handpicked by us for your enjoyment. Many of them have excellent, exclusive discounts on offer so don’t miss out on them!
However, if you’re planning on organising a get-together after the race, the end locations may be something you want to consider before choosing a race. We keep exact finish locations hidden to avoid any spoilers, but if you want to know ahead of booking, send us a message and we’ll help you out!
The Verdict: Which London Route Should Your Team Book?
Time for the tricky part: picking a race that suits you best. Ultimately, both routes cover a similar physical distance (around 4-5 km / 2.5-3 miles) and take 2-3 hours to complete (without breaks), meaning some of the only real differentiators are the atmosphere, the physical puzzles and the types of landmarks you'll be interacting with.
That said, there are many factors that go into what kind of a race you’ll experience. If you’re playing during the weekend, you can expect the City of London race to be a bit quieter than London’s West End, and of course the opposite applies for weekdays.
If you love history, want a slightly quieter weekend route to focus on the game, or are planning a corporate team-building day, the City of London is probably your best bet.
If you want your race to be high energy, are planning a fun date day, have family/teenagers in tow, or want to transition seamlessly into a night out right after crossing the finish line, then a race across London’s West End is likely to be your best choice.
Whichever you pick, you can expect a high-stakes race across a part of London we can almost guarantee you’ve never seen in this level of detail before. The only question is, which part are you most willing to unravel with your team? We’ll leave that up to you!
Ready to Race?
Race Across the World: The Experience is available in the City of London, London’s West End, Manchester, York, Edinburgh and Bristol.
If you’re ready to race, book your tickets now from our website.
Select your city to be taken to the relevant booking page. Ticketing is handled by Fever, but if you need to make adjustments to your booking, please email us.
Check out our FAQs for answers to any questions you may have or feel free to contact us. See you on the leaderboard!