Transportation in the Pokémon world

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There are various methods of transportation used in the Pokémon world.

Land

Running Shoes

Main article: Running Shoes

Introduced in Generation III, the Running Shoes are a pair of shoes that allow the player to run by holding down the B button in conjunction with the directional pad. Running is not allowed in most buildings however, until Generation IV. Running speed is affected by terrain, such as marshes and snow. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the Running Shoes can be triggered on and off by using the touch screen.

Roller Skates

Roller Skates in the anime
Main article: Roller Skates

Roller Skates are a key item in Pokémon X and Y that allow the player to move around faster than they would by running, but slower than they would on a Bicycle. The player can perform certain tricks while using the Roller Skates. They are also worn by Roller Skaters.

In the anime, Korrina often wears Roller Skates.

Bikes

In the games

Main article: Bicycle

In all core series games, the player is able to acquire a bicycle. Often they have a price that is beyond the player's capacity to pay for, but during the course of the game the player will be given one as a gift from an NPC.

Bicycles allow the player to travel faster than they can walking, running, or skating. Usually, the bicycle cannot be used in most, if any, buildings.

Some of the games also have different types of bicycles. The Hoenn games have two different types of bicycles: the Mach Bike, optimized for speed, and the Acro Bike, optimized for performing tricks. In the Sinnoh games, the bicycle has two different gears. In the Kalos games, the player is given a choice between two colors of a bicycle.

Throughout the games, there have occasionally been areas or obstacles requiring the use of the bicycle. In Kanto, Cycling Road can only be traversed on the bicycle. In Hoenn, the Mach Bike is required to climb muddy slopes or traverse weak ground without falling through, while the Acro Bike is required to cross stepping stones and thin rails. The Seaside Cycling Road in Hoenn can also only be traversed on a bicycle, and a person at the south end of the road will even time the player's traversal. In Sinnoh, there are occasionally ramps jutting out of the ground, allowing the player to jump the bicycle off these ramps and cross certain obstacles.

In the anime

Bikes are used at various times in the anime, most notably when Ash borrows Misty's bike, but crashes, thus ruining it. This bike is alluded to frequently throughout the first few seasons as a reason why Misty is angry at Ash. All of the main female characters, up until Best Wishes, owned bikes, which were eventually destroyed. In the original series, Ash, Misty, Brock used Nurse Joy's bicycles in The Bridge Bike Gang to give medicines to another Nurse Joy in an unknown town. In the Diamond & Pearl series, when Ash and his friends were traveling on Cycling Road, they used bikes. Barry is also seen with a bike in Gotta Get a Gible!.

Motorbikes

Wes's motorcycle, as seen in the beginning of Pokémon Colosseum

In the games

The Biker, Cue Ball*, and Motorcyclist Trainer classes use motorbikes.

In Pokémon Colosseum, Wes rides a futuristic levitating motorcycle.

In the anime

Motorbikes have been used by Officer Jenny multiple times. A Pokémon hunter used a motorcycle in Celebi: Voice of the Forest when he was chasing Celebi.

Trucks

A truck in the anime

Moving truck

A truck is used by the player's family to move from Johto to Hoenn in Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. The player starts the game inside of the truck.

S.S. Anne truck

A truck is located in a normally inaccessible part of the S.S. Anne, in Red and Blue. There were rumors that one can get a Mew or a rare item by using Strength on it. However, these proved to be false. In FireRed and LeafGreen, if the Itemfinder is used to look for an item near the truck, a Lava Cookie can be found instead, as possibly a reference to the rumors.

In Unova

Trucks can be seen on Skyarrow Bridge, driving on the road beneath the walkway for pedestrians. Trucks can also be seen driving on the highway, in Route 4.

In the anime

Trucks have appeared many times in the anime. For example, Jessie and James have used trucks many times as a mode of transport. Other appearances include:

Trains

In the games

Magnet Train
The Magnet Train
Main article: Magnet Train

The Magnet Train runs between Saffron City and Goldenrod City, connecting Kanto and Johto in the Generation II games and their Generation IV remakes. It was constructed some time after Generation I. To ride it, a person needs a Pass, which was given to those displaced by the train stations' construction. A Pass can be received by the Copycat if the player returns her doll which was given to her by the player in Generation I and the Generation III remakes and found by a person in Vermilion City.

Battle Subway
Main article: Battle Subway

The Battle Subway, accessible in Unova from Nimbasa City, functions as Unova's version of the Battle Tower. One train can also be ridden by the player to Anville Town. As well as featuring Battle Trains, the Battle Subway appears as typical public transportation for the citizens of Nimbasa City.

Monorail

In Coumarine City, a monorail will take the player between the seaside and hillcrest halves of the city.

Other trains in the games

In the anime

Ash and his friends in the Ampharos Train's cab
Freight train

A freight train appeared in Camp Pikachu. It consisted of a red steam locomotive, numerous freight wagons and a passenger carriage at the rear. It runs on a line in the mountainous areas of Johto. The Pichu Brothers enjoy going for rides on it. The Pichu Brothers' Rascal Railway at PokéPark is likely based on this train.

Other trains in the anime

Apart from these, trains have appeared many times in the anime, including:

Buses

In the games

In Pokémon Channel, there is a bus stop in Springleaf Field leading to other parts of Mintale Town including Viridian Forest, Cobalt Coast and Mt. Snowfall. These buses require passes, which can be purchased on the Shop 'N Squirtle channel.

In the anime

A bus from Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction

Many buses have appeared in the anime, such as Matt's bus in Pinch Healing! and Luka's bus in Mewtwo Returns. Buses have also appeared in movies, including one ridden by Ash, his friends, and Diancie in Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.

Other

Ambulances

Ambulances have been seen a few times in the anime. Team Rocket, disguised as paramedics, drove an ambulance in The Chikorita Rescue. An ambulance appeared again in a flashback in To Find a Fairy Flower!, when Florence was taken to the Calanthe Town hospital by ambulance. Another one featured in The Clumsy Crier Quiets the Chaos!, where Team Rocket were again disguised as ambulance drivers. Another ambulance was shown in A Giga Battle with Mega Results!, this time driven by Nurse Joy who used the ambulance to drive Ash and his friends to the Pokémon Center.

Cars

Scott's car

Cars are used multiple times in the anime. Among the people with cars are Gary Oak, Scott (whose car is based on a 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird), Norman, Reggie, Professor Birch, Bertha, Eusine, Cynthia, Professor Oak (whose car is based on a 1963 Toyota Publica convertible), Professor Birch, Professor Juniper, Officer Jenny (who appears to have a Jeep) and Penelope (who appears to have a Citroen 2CV).

Other cars have also been featured, and are most commonly seen throughout Kalos. Cars that have appeared include a Volkswagen New Beetle, 2007-2012 Honda CR-V, 2009-present Honda Insight, 2007-present Toyota Noah, Austin A35, and a Carbon Motors E7.

Limousines have also featured a few times, such as the one (a 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Limo) Paris was seen coming out of with her Lopunny in Arriving in Style!.

An amphibious car was used by Grings Kodai and Goone in Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

Scooters

Olesia was seen driving a scooter in No Big Woop!.

Segways

In The Scheme Team, Butch and Cassidy rode segways, although they were referred to as scooters.

Skateboards

In Extreme Pokémon!, Ash and Gary race on skateboards. Skateboards were also supposed to appear in Pokémon Gold and Silver as a different mode of transportation, but that idea was scrapped.

Skis

The Skier Trainer class uses skis to move quickly on top of snow and ice.

Skis also featured in the Japanese anime ending theme, By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ PopUp and Winter versions.

Sleds

Sleds have appeared several times in the anime in various forms. A bobsled carved from ice appeared in Navel Maneuvers, which Ash used to race down the mountain on Navel Island to earn himself the Sea Ruby Badge. Ash and his friends also used a sled down a grassy hill in Sitting Psyduck. Another ice sled appeared in PK19. A sled pulled by Stoutland also featured in White—Victini and Zekrom and Black—Victini and Reshiram, which Donuke used to travel across the snow.

Sleds also featured in the Japanese anime ending theme, By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ PopUp and Winter versions.

Snowboards

The Boarder Trainer class uses snowboards to move quickly on top of ice.

Snowboards also featured in the Japanese anime ending theme, By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ PopUp and Winter versions.

Team Rocket's mechas

Main article: Team Rocket's mechas

Many Team Rocket's mechas have the ability to transport people and Pokémon.

Tanks

Nastina was seen using a tank in Tentacool & Tentacruel. Team Rocket also used a tank in It's Mr. Mime Time!, to try to kidnap all the Circus Pokémon.

ZERO-ONE

In Pokémon Snap, the ZERO-ONE is an all-terrain safari vehicle designed by Professor Oak. One of the main features of the ZERO-ONE is that it can switch modes depending on its terrain. It has a land mode, a water mode, and an air mode. The ZERO-ONE has no steering mechanism. Instead, it will follow a set path preprogrammed by Professor Oak that takes it to the goal gate.

Air

Airplanes

Police Plane

In the games

In Pokémon Black and White, Mistralton City has an airport that houses two airplanes.

In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Upon completing the Unova Pokedex, the player can go to the Cargo Service in Mistralton City where Skyla will take the player to the Nature Preserve in an airplane.

In the anime

Airplanes have been used several times in the anime. For instance, since the Unova region is far away from the other regions, it is said to be only reachable by plane. A plane was used by Ash to get there. Other appearances include:

Airships

In Black 2 and White 2, Team Plasma uses an airship named the Plasma Frigate.

In the anime, airships have been used frequently by villains. Futuristic airships of a large size, powered apparently by anti-gravity technology of some kind have been used by J, Lawrence III, Zero, and Argus Steel. Other futuristic hovercraft-like transport have been used in various Pokémon media, and include:

Blimps

The Blimp Airport in Sinnoh

In Pokémon Conquest, a blimp is used to carry Warriors between non-adjacent kingdoms.

Blimps have appeared several times in the anime, usually to travel long distances.

Cable car

The cable car in Pokémon Adventures

In the games, a cable car is the only transport to the summit of Mt. Chimney in the Hoenn region. In the anime, Ash, his friends and Team Rocket also board a cable car to reach the summit of Mt. Chimney in Fight for the Meteorite!. This cable car has also appeared in the Pokémon Adventures manga.

Other appearances of cable cars in the anime include:

Helicopters

Used by Team Rocket, Team Magma, Team Aqua and Team Galactic multiple times and by Rhonda in All Dressed Up With Somewhere To Go!. A pilot working with Ben used one in Pokémon Ranger: Heatran Rescue!.

Hot air balloons

Team Rocket's Meowth balloon

Used by Team Rocket in many episodes. Some balloons were shaped as a Wobbuffet, a Sneasel, a Gliscor, a Carnivine, and a Meowth.

A hot air-balloon was also used by Ash and his friends in the episode The Kecleon Caper, a Pikachu one in Mewtwo Returns, and by various contestants, including Ash, in The Big Balloon Blow-Up. They are also commonly used in various contests requiring Flying-type Pokémon, such as the PokéRinger competition in That's Just Swellow and Pursuing a Lofty Goal!, and the Pokémon Sky Relay in A Relay in the Sky!. A hot air balloon also appeared in the movie The Rise of Darkrai.

Hot air balloon-like aircraft or dirigibles were also used in Great Bowls of Fire!, however it possessed the notable difference of seeming to be driven forward in the air by Pokémon (in the episode's specific usage, Charizard).

Spacecraft

UFO

A UFO in the anime

According to the Pokédex entries of Elgyem, UFOs were likely to be the mode of transport used by these Pokémon.

In the anime, a flying saucer appeared in A UFO for Elgyem! made by Professor Icarus, which was later destroyed by Team Rocket. The professor had become inspired by a UFO sighting when he was 8, and had previously made a small flying saucer after quitting university. The professor stated that by manipulating dark matter and by extension, gravity, real UFOs could reach speeds faster than the speed of light.

Another UFO appeared in Capacia Island UFO! driven by several Beheeyem which crash landed near Capacia Island. Ash, his friends, and Team Rocket sneaked onto the UFO to try to save the people of Capacia Island who had all been turned into Behheyem.

Rockets

Mossdeep Space Center

The Mossdeep Space Center located in Mossdeep City successfully sends rockets into space, though specifics of the space missions are unknown. In Emerald, the Space Center plays a big part in the plot, where Team Magma attempts to steal rocket fuel while a rocket begins to launch into space. It also plays a key role in the Delta Episode of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, where Professor Cozmo intends to use a rocket full of Infinity Energy as well as the energy of human (found in Key Stones) to create a warp hole to take an asteroid off collision course with the planet. A rocket can be seen outside the Space Center.

In the anime
A rocket blasting off in Where No Togepi Has Gone Before!

Rockets have appeared several times in the anime. Many Team Rocket's mechas are rocket-powered, and a rocket appeared Where No Togepi Has Gone Before!, disguised as Team Rocket’s secret base which eventually launched with Ash, his friends, and Team Rocket inside.

Other

Hangliders

Jet pack

In The Scheme Team, Butch and Cassidy rode on jet packs to go to the location of their mission. Domino also used one in Mewtwo Returns. Jet packs are also used by the Team Rocket Trio in the Best Wishes series to escape from the "Twerps", replacing their traditional hot air-balloon getaway; it has thus proved to be more effective.

Sleigh

Santa Claus rode a sleigh drawn by Ponyta in Christmas Night, and Stantler in Stantler's Little Helpers and Delibird's Dilemma to fly all over the world to give away gifts to good children.

Water

Ships and boats

Ghost ship

Main article: Ghost ship

The ghost ship is a 300-year-old ship whose captain won the Orange League, and his trophy is protected by his Gastly and Haunter. Until shortly before Ash and his friends arrived on Moro Island, it rested on the bottom of the ocean of the coast of the island.

Royal Unova

Main article: Royal Unova

The Royal Unova is a luxury liner in the Unova region that sails up the river from Castelia City. It sails every evening and returns to Castelia City when it is officially night. Many Trainers ride the ship. The Royal Unova can sometimes be seen passing underneath the Skyarrow Bridge while the player crosses the bridge, even if it is not evening when the player does so.

S.S. Anne

Main article: S.S. Anne
The S.S. Anne

Depending on the canon, the S.S. Anne stops only once every four years, annually, or monthly in Vermilion City. The S.S. Ticket that is needed to board the ship is only given away to exclusive people, such as Bill and Professor Oak. However, they can give the ticket away to others.

S.S. Aqua

Main article: S.S. Aqua

The S.S. Aqua is a boat that runs between Olivine City in Johto and Vermilion City in Kanto.

S.S. Tidal

Main article: S.S. Tidal

The S.S. Tidal is a boat that mostly runs in the Hoenn region.

After the player has become the Champion, it will always run between Lilycove City and Slateport City, and to the Battle Tower in Ruby and Sapphire. However, it will also run to other places if the player has a ticket. With the Battle Pass, it will run to the Battle Frontier (in Emerald); with the Eon Ticket, it will run to Southern Island; with the MysticTicket, it will run to Navel Rock; with the AuroraTicket, it will run to Birth Island; and with the Old Sea Map, it will run to Faraway Island.

S.S. Cactus

Main article: Abandoned Ship

The S.S. Cactus was a large ship from the Hoenn Region, that supposedly carried large amounts of passengers and cargo. However, for some reason, the ship was partially submerged along Route 108, where it currently remains ruined on a sandbar. It is not specifically known where the boat ran between, though based on its location, one could assume it might have stopped at either Slateport City or Dewford Town. In present day, many Pokémon live in it, and lots of Trainers enjoy exploring and training on the boat, known as the Abandoned Ship.

Seagallop Ferries

Main article: Seagallop

The Seagallop Ferries run between Vermilion City in Kanto and each of the nine Sevii Islands.

There are currently four known tickets that can be used to board a Seagallop Ferry: The Tri-Pass allows the holder to travel to One, Two and Three Islands, the Rainbow Pass to the same three islands, as well as Four, Five, Six, and Seven Islands, the MysticTicket allows travel to Navel Rock, and the AuroraTicket allows travel to Birth Island.

S.S. Spiral

Main article: S.S. Spiral

The S.S. Spiral is a boat in Sinnoh that runs from Snowpoint City to the Fight Area in the Battle Zone.

In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, the S.S. Spiral was a regular looking ship. However, in Pokémon Platinum, it had a redesign. The S.S. Spiral became a red boat with a crane on the back, and, its possible namesake, two spinning drills to part the ice floes in the area from Snowpoint City to the Battle Zone.

S.S. Libra

Main article: S.S. Libra

The S.S. Libra runs from Orre to other regions and is used as a Pokémon cargo ship. During the events of Pokémon XD, it was destroyed by Shadow Lugia and all the Pokémon currently in it were transformed into Shadow Pokémon. Michael later found its remains near Phenac City.

The Union

Main article: The Union

The Union was hand crafted by Booker and remains at the Ranger Union in Almia. Before retirement, Murph took it to the Oblivia region to assist Ben and Summer with their missions there.

Cruiseship (Decolore Islands)

Cruiseship in the anime

In the anime, a cruiseship traveling between Unova and Kanto allow Trainers to visit the Decolore Islands. Porter are guides on these cruiseships. Ash and his friends traveled on these ships to journey through the Decolore Islands, starting from Nuvema Town in Farewell, Unova! Setting Sail for New Adventures! and finishing at Vermilion City in Best Wishes Until We Meet Again!.

Other ships and boats

A variety of other unnamed boats are known to exist, for example:

Gondolas

Gondolas have featured a few times in the anime. It is the major mode of transport in Alto Mare, a city of canals. Ash and his friends toured around Alto Mare in Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias using Ross's gondola. A gondola also appeared in Jumping Rocket Ship, where Croagunk is seen passing by Team Rocket after they crash-landed into a canal.

Jet skis

Jet skis featured in the anime opening theme, We Will Be Heroes.

Kayaks and canoes

Used by a Nurse Joy in The Joy of Pokémon, and by Ash and his friends in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.

Steam boats

Ash and his friends went on a Wailord-shaped Steam Boat in Steamboat Willies!.

Team Rocket's boats

Team Rocket has used many different boats in the anime.

Submarines

The most used of Team Rocket's submarines, a Magikarp submarine

In the games

In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire, a submarine made by Captain Stern is stolen by Team Magma or Team Aqua (depending on version) to reach Seafloor Cavern, where either Groudon or Kyogre is.

Pokémon Pincher's Submarine
Main article: Submarine (Ranger)

This is a submarine that is owned by the Pokémon Pinchers. It is later crashed.

In the anime

Submarines are often used by Team Rocket, mainly to spy on Ash and his friends.

Ash and his friends have also traveled in submarines, such as in Relicanth Really Can!, Hold the Phione! and in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.

Pokémon as Transport

Pokémon riding on other Pokémon

In the games, Surfing and Flying are common modes of transport. Notably, Lapras, the Transport Pokémon, is often seen as a way of ferrying people across the sea. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire also introduced soaring in the sky where the player can use the Eon Flute to summon LatiosOR or LatiasAS to fly over Hoenn.

In the anime, Pokémon are also used occasionally for transportation. People, as well as Pokémon themselves, may ride on Pokémon for various reasons. This is mostly seen in races, wherein only Pokémon may be used to move around. This was first notable in The Flame Pokémon-athon!, where Ash and his friends joined a race.

Like in the games, Trainers also Surf or Fly using their Pokémon, such as in Mewtwo Strikes Back where Trainers attempted to use their Pokémon to reach Mewtwo's Island. Ash and his friends also used Lapras in going around the Orange Archipelago. Ash's Flying-type Pokémon were rode on many times, mostly by Pikachu for looking for something or attacking Team Rocket's balloon. Pikachu rode on Butterfree in episodes such as Bye Bye Butterfree. It also rode on Pidgeotto, Swellow and Staraptor, Ash's bird-based Pokémon, multiple times.

Rhyhorn

In Pokémon X and Y, Rhyhorn racing was introduced as a mode of transportation adopted by competing Rhyhorn racers. Though the player cannot participate in an actual Rhyhorn race, the player's mother, Grace, is a retired Rhyhorn racer, and her Rhyhorn partner lounges outside her house. The player can ride this Rhyhorn, but cannot take it outside the small front lawn. The player can also ride Rhyhorn on Route 9, which is the only way to cross the jagged, rocky terrain to Glittering Cave. Big boulders which block various parts of the route can be easily smashed apart by the Rhyhorn.

In the anime, Rhyhorn have also been used as a mode of transport by Rhyhorn racers. Rhyhorn racing was first introduced in Lumiose City Pursuit! where Serena was attempting to ride her mother's Rhyhorn under the watchful eye of her mother, an accomplished Rhyhorn racer. An actual Rhyhorn race was first shown in Giving Chase at the Rhyhorn Race! where Ash competed in a Rhyhorn race. Serena also rode on a Rhyhorn in A Race for Home! to catch up to the fleeing Team Rocket. Serena was able to catch up to Team Rocket since Rhyhorn are faster than the Skiddo which Ash, Bonnie and Clemont had rode on to catch up to Team Rocket.

Mamoswine

In Pokémon X and Y, the player must ride a rental Mamoswine in order to traverse Route 17 which is mostly covered in snow so thick that it is completely inaccessible by foot. With the Mamoswine, the player can plow through the snow with ease, and crush big boulders blocking certain parts of the route.

Rental Mamoswine also appeared in the anime in Over the Mountain of Snow!, where two Mamoswine were hired by Ash and his friends to travel through the steep and snow-laden Route 17.

Skiddo and Gogoat

Professor Oak riding on Gogoat

In the games

In Pokémon X and Y, a Gogoat Shuttle service in Lumiose City allows the player to ride a Gogoat around the city. Signposts are located all around the Boulevards where the shuttle service can be used. The fare is flat at $200.

Similarly, on Route 12, Skiddo can be ridden at Baa de Mer Ranch. These Skiddo can be used to explore parts of the route that cannot be accessed by foot alone.

In the anime

Gogoat have been used as a mode of transport in the anime. In particular, Alexa has ridden atop her Gogoat on several occasions to find things to report on. Gogoat have the ability to sense the feelings of whoever grips its horns; therefore the rider's feelings influence how successful he or she is at riding.

Similarly, in A Race for Home! Ash and his friends have ridden on Skiddo when they visited Baa de Mer Ranch. Serena and her mother also had a Skiddo race to determine whether Serena would pursue Rhyhorn racing as a career. Like Gogoat, Skiddo's the ability to read the feelings of its riders through their grip on its horns is important in controlling Skiddo when riding.

See also