Transportation in the Pokémon world
There are various methods of transportation used in the Pokémon world. These methods can be divided into transportation by land, air, and water. Some Pokémon can also be used as transportation.
Land
- Main article: Land transportation in the Pokémon world
Footwear
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 Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the Running Shoes can be triggered on and off by using the touch screen.
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
- Main article: Bicycle
In all core series games except Generations VII and IX, the player is able to acquire a bicycle. They often 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. In Hoenn, common choices are the Acro and Mach Bikes, while in Galar, many Trainers have their Rotom Phone power their bike, turning it into the Rotom Bike.
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 Pokémon the Series: Black & White, owned bikes, which were eventually destroyed.
Motor vehicles
In the games, cars can be seen in many places, both while parked and being driven. Cars are also often used for transportation in the anime.
In Pokémon X and Y, Lumi Cab is a taxi service that lets the player travel between many stops around Lumiose City for a fee; destinations that are farther away cost more. If the player has enough style, the fare will be half price. If the player does not have enough money to pay for the ride, the driver will challenge them to a battle.
Recreational vehicles have featured a few times in the games and anime, and a trailer house appeared in Pokémon Adventures.
A truck is used by the player's family to move from Johto to Hoenn in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. The player starts the game inside of the truck. Numerous concept art drawings featured trucks in the announcement trailer for Pokémon Sun and Moon, most of which appeared in-game. These included pick-up trucks, firetrucks, and ambulances. In Pokémon Red and Blue, a truck is located in a normally inaccessible part of the S.S. Anne. There were rumors that one could get a Mew or a rare item by using Strength on it. However, these proved to be false. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, if the Itemfinder is used to look for an item near the truck, a Lava Cookie can be found instead, possibly referencing the rumors. Trucks have also been used several times in the anime.
Buses are featured in some of the core series games, Pokémon Channel, and in the anime. In Pokémon Sun and Moon, many people take the Exeggutor Express to climb up Mount Hokulani. Tanks have made a couple appearances in the anime.
A few Trainer classes use motorbikes. Wes rides a futuristic levitating motorcycle in Pokémon Colosseum. Motorbikes have been used by Officer Jenny multiple times in the anime, and one was used by a Pokémon hunter in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest when he was chasing Celebi.
A scooter is used in the anime and in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness; in the latter, the scooter was later converted into a hoverscooter. Segways have also appeared in an episode of the anime, where they were referred to as scooters.
Trains
Trains and subway stations have appeared several times in the games and anime.
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 their Generation III remakes and found by a Pokémon Fan Club member in Vermilion City.
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.
In Galar, there is a railway system that connects various areas of the region. The railways connect the following areas: Wedgehurst, the Wild Area, Motostoke, Hulbury, Hammerlocke, White Hill Station and Wyndon.
Recreational equipment
Skateboards have also made an appearance in the anime. Skis are used by the Skier Trainer class and snowboards are used by the Boarder Trainer class, and both appear in the Japanese anime ending theme By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~. Sleds have also appeared multiple times in the anime.
Other
Other unique forms of land transport have appeared in the anime and spin-off games.
Many of Team Rocket's mechas have the ability to transport people and Pokémon.
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.
In New Pokémon Snap, the player character rides an upgraded version called the NEO-ONE vehicle. It was developed by Professor Mirror, with assistance from Todd Snap. It moves around by hovering, following a preprogrammed path, though there are instances where the player can choose to take an alternate path, which later reconnect with the main path. It is able to teleport to and from certain predetermined points around the Lental region.
Air
- Main article: Air transportation in the Pokémon world
Aircraft
Several forms of aircraft appear across the games, anime, and manga.
Airplanes and airports have appeared sparingly in the games, along with the Pilot Trainer class. Airplanes have also appeared several times in the anime.
In Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, Team Plasma uses an airship named the Plasma Frigate. Airships have also frequently been used by villains in the anime. Hover cars have also been used for various purposes in the anime. Additionally, the Rising Volt Tacklers travel in the Brave Asagi during Pokémon Horizons: The Series. Other futuristic hovercraft-like transport have been used in various Pokémon media, including Air cars, which have been seen commonly in the various manga.
In Pokémon Conquest, a blimp is used to carry Warriors between non-adjacent kingdoms. Blimps have also appeared several times in the anime, usually to travel long distances.
Helicopters are also a common form of aircraft used by various characters in the games, anime, and manga.
Hot air balloons
- Main article: Team GO Rocket balloons
- Main article: Team Rocket's mechas → Team Rocket's balloons
In Pokémon GO, hot air balloons allow players to battle members of Team GO Rocket. They are also used by Team Rocket in many episodes of the anime.
Spacecraft
UFOs are mentioned in the Pokédex entries of Elgyem, and flying saucers physically appear in the anime and manga. A couple rockets appear in the games, and several have appeared in the anime.
Cable cars
The cable car to Mt. Chimney appears in the games, anime, and manga. Other cable cars appear in the anime as well.
Recreational equipment
Hangliders have appeared a few times in the anime, Jet packs are used by various members of Team Rocket in the anime, including the Team Rocket trio, and Santa Claus rides a flying sleigh in a few Christmas-themed episodes.
Water
- Main article: Water transportation in the Pokémon world
Ships and boats
Several ships and boats appear throughout Pokémon media.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The S.S. Aqua is a boat that runs between Olivine City in Johto and Vermilion City in Kanto.
- 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.
- 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 S.S. Sinnoh is a boat in Sinnoh that runs from Snowpoint City to the Fight Area in the Battle Zone. In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the S.S. Sinnoh is a regular-looking ship. However, in Pokémon Platinum, it has been redesigned and renamed the S.S. Spiral, named after the two ice-breaking drills on its bow.
- The S.S. St. Flower is a luxury cruise liner that sails in the Hoenn region, often stopping at the site of the Hoenn Grand Festival. It was featured in The Ribbon Cup Caper, where it was headed to Slateport City. Its passengers are Coordinators who successfully collected five Contest Ribbons from Hoenn. The Ribbon Cup is displayed on board.
- 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 Pokémon 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- In Pokémon Sun and Moon, ferries are the main mode of transportation used to travel between the islands of Alola, as well as to Aether Paradise. Hau'oli City, Heahea City and Malie City each have their own ferry terminals. Professor Kukui owns a sail boat, that is used to transport Hau and the player from Melemele Island to Akala Island. Gladion drives a Team Skull themed boat to take Hau and the player to Aether Paradise. The Aether Foundation has their own similarly styled boat.
Additionally, several other ships and boats appear throughout various Pokémon media, including a variety of different types of boats. Gondolas have featured a few times in the anime. Jet skis were featured in the anime opening theme, We Will Be Heroes, as well as in Pokémon Adventures. Kayaks and canoes have also appeared a couple times in the anime, and a steamboat made an appearance in an episode. Additionally, Team Rocket has used many different boats in the anime.
Submarines
Submarines appear in the Hoenn-based core series games, in Pokémon Ranger and Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, and and are often used by Team Rocket in the anime to spy on Ash and his friends, who have also traveled in submarines.
In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire, the Submarine Explorer 1, made by Captain Stern, is stolen by Team Magma or Team Aqua (depending on the version) to reach Seafloor Cavern, where either Groudon or Kyogre lies.
Pokémon as transport
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. For example, in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, Lapras is used to transport the player and partner to other islands.
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. Pokémon Rangers often harness the power of certain Pokémon to fly, surf, or swim. Ash's Flying-type Pokémon were rode on many times, mostly by Pikachu while 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.
Hidden Machines
- Main article: Hidden Machine
Hidden Machines are machines that can be used to teach Pokémon certain moves. HMs are often used to progress within the story, and help carry the player character over certain obstacles. Surf, Fly, Rock Climb, and Whirlpool are some HM moves used that directly require carrying the player.
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 and his friends 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
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.
Gogoat have also 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 their horns; therefore the rider's feelings influence how successful they are 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 ability to read the feelings of its riders through their grip on its horns is important in controlling Skiddo when riding.
Soaring in the sky
- Main article: Soaring in the sky
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire introduced soaring in the sky, where the player can use the Eon Flute to summon LatiosOR or LatiasAS to fly over Hoenn.
Rayquaza
The player rides on a Mega Rayquaza during the Delta Episode in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire to stop a meteorite.
Poké Ride
- Main article: Poké Ride
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the player can summon a Pokémon through the Ride Pager, allowing the player to ride on certain Pokémon. Each Pokémon allows the player to use a special ability. Poké Ride Pokémon have also been featured several times in the anime. For example, Ash and Delia take a ride in a Pokémon Taxi driven by a Tauros in Alola to New Adventure!.
Ultra Wormholes and Ultra Warp Ride
- Main article: Ultra Warp Ride
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Nebby creates an Ultra Wormhole bringing Lillie and the player into the Ultra Deep Sea to save Lillie's mother.
In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player can summon either the Ultra Recon Squad's Solgaleo/Lunala or Nebby to travel through Ultra Space by creating Ultra Wormholes and passing through them to get to alternate dimensions to catch Ultra Beasts.
Walking Pokémon
- Main article: Walking Pokémon
In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, certain walking Pokémon can be ridden on top of, replacing certain functions such as the bicycle or Surf.
Flying Taxi
- Main article: Flying Taxi
In Galar, carriages pulled by Corviknight are used as a mode of air transportation, similar to HM Fly in previous generations. In Paldea, carriages are pulled by a group of Squawkabilly instead.
Ride Pokémon of Hisui
- Main article: Ride Pokémon (Hisui)
In Hisui, Ride Pokémon are a select group of Pokémon that are dedicated to assisting humans that they have deemed worthy. Ride Pokémon are descendants of five of the ten companions of the ancient hero of legend, who have received their blessing from Arceus.
Koraidon and Miraidon
- Main article: Koraidon (game)
- Main article: Miraidon (game)
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, KoraidonS and MiraidonV are ride Pokémon that the player befriends early on in the game and travels with them throughout the story. The Pokémon replaces typical functions from previous games such as the bicycle and surfing.
Starmobile
- Main article: Starmobile
Starmobiles are vehicles used in battle by the squad bosses of Team Star. Each Starmobile is powered by Pokémon: a Revavroom sits in the hood and controls the vehicle, while two Varoom are located on the back, acting as rear wheels. Additionally, according to Mela, the Starmobiles are fueled by evolved forms of Charcadet. Starmobiles are most likely based on dekotora, a Japanese style of modifying trucks with elaborate stainless steel parts, murals, and LED lights.
Gallery
Dawn using Rock Climb
Poké Ride artwork from Pokémon Sun and Moon
Artwork of the Gogoat Shuttle in Pokémon X and Y
Mantine Surf artwork from Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Walking Pokémon artwork from Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
The player riding a Basculegion
Starmobile artwork from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
