The GPS city rally has become the most popular outdoor team event in recent years – and for good reason. As the modern successor to the classic scavenger hunt, it combines movement, teamwork and the spirit of discovery with digital technology. In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know for a successful GPS city rally.
Contents
What is a GPS City Rally?
A GPS city rally (also called tablet rally or digital scavenger hunt) is an interactive outdoor team event where teams explore a city using GPS-enabled tablets or smartphones while solving various tasks.
The Basic Concept
Teams navigate through the city using a special app. At various stations, they encounter:
- Knowledge questions about the city and its history
- Photo and video tasks (fun or creative)
- Team challenges on location
- Puzzles and codes to crack
- Geocache elements to find
Classic Scavenger Hunt vs. GPS City Rally
| Classic Scavenger Hunt | GPS City Rally |
|---|---|
| Paper clues | Digital navigation via GPS |
| Fixed route | Flexible route choice possible |
| Manual scoring | Automatic real-time scoring |
| No photos/videos | Integrated multimedia tasks |
| Time-consuming preparation | Professionally prepared |
Practical Tip:
The GPS city rally is particularly well-suited for team building because it engages all participants equally – regardless of age, fitness level, or prior knowledge. Everyone can contribute!
The Typical Process of a GPS City Rally
A GPS city rally follows a proven process that can be flexibly adapted to your needs:
Phase 1: Briefing (15-20 minutes)
- Welcome by the event guide
- Explanation of the app and features
- Team assignment (if not done in advance)
- Distribution of tablets and materials
- Clarify final questions
Phase 2: The Rally (2-3 hours)
- Teams start at staggered intervals (5-10 min apart)
- Navigation to stations via GPS
- Solve tasks and collect points
- Live ranking visible on tablet
- Breaks at your own discretion
Phase 3: Finale (30-45 minutes)
- Group meeting at the finish point
- Evaluation of results
- Presentation of best photos/videos
- Award ceremony
- Optional: shared meal/drinks
Time Frame Overview
Short & sweet: 2 hours (ideal for lunch break or after-work)
Standard: 3 hours (the classic)
Extended: 4+ hours (with breaks and more stations)
The 5 Task Types in a GPS City Rally
A good GPS city rally offers varied tasks that appeal to different strengths within the team. At anydoors, we use these five categories:
1. Knowledge Tasks
What: Questions about the city, history, architecture, or current topics
Example: "In what year was this building constructed? You'll find the answer on the facade."
Promotes: Attention, research, collaborative thinking
2. Photo and Video Tasks
What: Creative or fun shots that the team creates together
Example: "Recreate the Bremen Town Musicians as a team!"
Promotes: Creativity, team spirit, fun factor
3. Team Challenges
What: Tasks that can only be solved together
Example: "Build a bridge with the provided materials that can support a tennis ball."
Promotes: Collaboration, problem-solving, communication
4. Puzzles and Codes
What: Logical challenges, number puzzles, decryption tasks
Example: "Solve this Sudoku – the solution gives you the code for the next station."
Promotes: Analytical thinking, patience, sense of achievement
5. Geocache Elements
What: Finding hidden clues or objects
Example: "Find the magnetic container within a 5-meter radius."
Promotes: Spirit of discovery, attention to detail
Practical Tip:
At anydoors, you can customize the task mix individually. More knowledge questions for educational events, more photo challenges for a party atmosphere, more team challenges for intensive team building.
The Optimal Team Size
The right team size is crucial for the success of your GPS city rally. Here are our recommendations from 25 years of experience:
Recommended Team Sizes
4-5 people
Everyone can contribute, all opinions are heard, high dynamics
6-7 people
Works with good communication, subgroups may form
8+ people
Some get "left behind", coordination takes longer
Total Participants: How Many Teams?
| Number of Participants | Number of Teams | Team Size |
|---|---|---|
| 10-20 people | 2-4 teams | 5 people |
| 25-40 people | 5-8 teams | 5 people |
| 50-80 people | 10-16 teams | 5 people |
| 100+ people | 20+ teams | 5 people |
Practical Tip:
For large groups (50+) we recommend staggered starts and different routes so teams don't constantly run into each other. This increases the element of surprise!
The Best Cities for GPS City Rallies
In principle, a GPS city rally is possible in any city – from small towns to metropolises. However, cities with the following features are particularly popular:
- Historic old town with short distances
- Many attractions in a compact area
- Good pedestrian zones with little car traffic
- Interesting stories and anecdotes
Top Cities for GPS City Rallies in Germany
We offer GPS city rallies in over 45 German cities. Here's a selection of the most popular:
Cologne
Cathedral, old town, Rhine riverfront – perfect combination for teams
Hamburg
Speicherstadt, harbor, Reeperbahn – maritime adventures
Munich
Marienplatz, English Garden, Viktualienmarkt
Frankfurt
Skyline meets Römer – discover contrasts
Dresden
Frauenkirche, Zwinger – baroque splendor
Düsseldorf
Old town, Media Harbor, Königsallee
Leipzig
City of music with trendy neighborhoods
Hanover
Herrenhausen Gardens, Maschsee, old town
Nuremberg
Imperial Castle, medieval old town
Potsdam
Sanssouci Palace, UNESCO World Heritage
Stuttgart
Schlossplatz, vineyards, modernity
Bremen
Town Musicians, Schnoor, Böttcherstraße
Also Available Internationally
We also organize GPS city rallies in popular European cities:
- Amsterdam – Canals and gabled houses
- Vienna – Discover imperial splendor
- Prague – The golden city
- Zurich – Old town by the lake
- Salzburg – Mozart and fortress
What Does a GPS City Rally Cost?
The costs of a GPS city rally depend on several factors. Here's a transparent overview:
Pricing Structure
Base Price
from €49.95
per person
What Influences the Price?
| Factor | Impact on Price |
|---|---|
| Group size | Larger groups = lower price per person (tiered pricing) |
| Duration | 2h vs. 4h makes a difference |
| Customization | Corporate CI, custom questions → surcharge |
| Additional services | Catering, moderation, venue |
| Day of the week | Weekend more expensive than weekday |
Volume Discounts at anydoors
- From 30 people: 5% discount
- From 50 people: 10% discount
- From 100 people: 15% discount
What's Included in the Price?
- Professional on-site briefing
- GPS tablets for all teams
- Individual rally route
- Photo and video tasks
- Live ranking and evaluation
- Award ceremony with highlight presentation
- All photos/videos available for download
Budget Tip:
Schedule your event during the week and in the off-season (November-February) – there are often attractive special rates!
Weather & Season
A common question: "What do we do in bad weather?"
The Good News
GPS city rallies are feasible year-round! In fact, events during light rain often have a special charm – fewer tourists, more team spirit.
Our Weather Policy
- Light rain: Event takes place (rain jackets recommended)
- Heavy rain/thunderstorms: Free rescheduling possible
- Extreme cold/heat: Adjustment of route length
The Best Months
| Season | Months | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Peak season | April - October | Best weather conditions, long days |
| Autumn | September - November | Colorful leaves, pleasant temperatures |
| Winter | December - February | Christmas markets as bonus stations! |
| Spring | March - May | Blooming parks, event season starts |
Insider Tip:
A winter city rally with Christmas market stations is a real highlight! Mulled wine breaks included.
Preparation & Checklist
To make your GPS city rally a complete success, here's our checklist:
Before the Event (Organization)
- Set a date – weekdays are cheaper than weekends
- Confirm number of participants – for team assignment
- Choose a city – or on-site at company location
- Define time frame – 2, 3, or 4 hours?
- Book provider – at least 4 weeks in advance recommended
- Plan catering – shared meal afterwards?
Communication to Participants
- Date & time
- Meeting point (with directions)
- Clothing recommendation – comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate
- Duration of the event
- What happens afterwards (dinner, transport home?)
On the Day of the Event
- Check weather forecast
- Bring smartphone/power bank (for your own photos)
- Arrive on time at meeting point
- Bring team spirit!
Why GPS City Rally as a Team Event?
What makes the GPS city rally the perfect team building event? Here are the key benefits:
1. Suitable for Everyone
No special skills required, no athleticism needed. Everyone can participate – from interns to executives, from ages 20 to 65.
2. Real Teamwork
Tasks are designed to be solvable only together. Lone wolves don't stand a chance – teamwork is rewarded.
3. Out of the Office
Fresh air, new environment, break from the routine. This creates memories and strengthens cohesion.
4. Fun Guaranteed
The mix of competition, exploration, and creative tasks ensures great atmosphere. The photo challenges will be shared for years to come!
5. Flexible Group Size
From 10 to 500 people – the GPS city rally scales perfectly with group size.
6. Location Independent
At your company location, at a conference in another city, or as an incentive trip – possible anywhere.
"The GPS city rally was the best team event we've ever had. Everyone was thrilled – from interns to board members."
– HR Director at a DAX company
Frequently Asked Questions About GPS City Rallies
Do we need our own smartphones?
No! We provide high-quality tablets with pre-installed app and mobile internet.
How fit do you need to be?
The rally is designed for normal walking pace. No athletic fitness required. If needed, we adapt the route for participants with mobility restrictions.
Can we make our own team assignments?
Of course! You can assign teams in advance or we can randomize on-site – whatever you prefer.
Is the rally available in English?
Yes! All our GPS city rallies are available in German and English – ideal for international teams.
What happens if there are technical problems?
Our event guide is available by phone throughout the rally and can help immediately with any issues.
Can we run the rally ourselves (without a guide)?
Yes, that's possible! With the self-guided option, you receive the tablets and a comprehensive briefing – the rest runs automatically.
How far in advance should we book?
We recommend 4-8 weeks lead time. For short-notice requests, we'll try to find a solution!
Can we include our own tasks/questions?
Absolutely! Company quiz, insider questions, team jokes – we're happy to customize for you.
Conclusion: The GPS City Rally as the Perfect Team Event
The GPS city rally combines everything that makes a great team event:
- Fun and excitement through competition and discovery
- Real teamwork through collaborative tasks
- Flexibility in location, time, and group size
- Memories through photos and videos
- Easy organization through professional providers
Whether as a company outing, incentive, team building day, or company celebration – the GPS city rally fits every occasion and target group.
Ready for Your GPS City Rally?
Get free consultation and receive an individual quote for your team!
Or call us directly: +49 176 - 61 88 20 73
Related Links
- Book GPS City Rally: All info & cities
- Other Outdoor Events: Discover all events
- Locations: Where we operate
- First Article: Team Building Trends 2026
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