Pokémon as transport

Many Trainers and other people living in the Pokémon world use Pokémon as a form of transportation. The mechanisms and methods used to ride Pokémon differ across regions, often requiring a certain Gym Badge or other form of certification. Additionally, the mechanics of riding Pokémon often differ between games.

In the core series games

Hidden Machines

Main article: Hidden Machine

Hidden Machines are machines that can be used to teach Pokémon useful moves. HMs are often used to progress within the story, helping carry the player character over certain obstacles. Surf, Fly, Rock Climb, Waterfall, and Whirlpool are some HM moves used that directly require carrying the player.

Kanto

Walking Pokémon

Chase riding a Charizard in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Main article: Walking Pokémon#Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, certain Pokémon can be ridden by the player. Some, such as Arcanine, replace the bicycle item and allow the player to move faster. Some, such as Lapras, allow you to ride on their back while using Sea Skim to travel across water. Others such as Snorlax, can be ridden but offer no additional benefits. After defeating the Elite Four, riding Charizard, Dragonite and Aerodactyl allows you to fly up in the sky allowing for more wild Pokémon encounters as well as allowing you to bypass trainers and obstacles, though you cannot fly over gates between routes and areas. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Secret techniques also replace HMs.

The following Pokémon can be ridden in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!:

Hoenn

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/ LatiasAS and Mega Evolve it to soar around over Hoenn.

Kyogre and Groudon

The player rides on GroudonOR/KyogreAS as it makes its way to the Cave of Origin.

Rayquaza

The player rides on Mega Rayquaza during the Delta Episode in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire to fly into space and stop a meteorite.

Sinnoh/Hisui

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. The Ride Pokémon are descendants of five of the ten companions of the ancient hero of legend, who have received their blessing from Arceus. After proving themselves worthy, the player can summon them by playing a Celestica Flute.

The following Ride Pokémon can be ridden in Arceus:

Unova

Flying Taxi

Main article: Flying Taxi

Since Generation VIII, several regions have flying carriages pulled by Pokémon that are used as a mode of air transportation, similar to HM Fly in previous generations. At Unova's Blueberry Academy, every carriage is pulled by a pair of Skarmory and piloted by a Cabbie.

  • Loading icon while using a Flying Taxi at the Blueberry Academy
    Loading icon while using a Flying Taxi at the Blueberry Academy

Kalos

Rhyhorn

In Pokémon X and Y, Rhyhorn racing was introduced as a competitive sport. Although the player cannot participate in an actual Rhyhorn race, the player's mother, Grace, is a retired Rhyhorn racer. The player can ride her Rhyhorn, which lounges outside of their house, but it cannot be taken outside of the small front lawn. The player rides a Rhyhorn on Route 9, as it is the only way to cross the jagged, rocky terrain to Glittering Cave. Large boulders block various parts of the route, but they can be easily smashed apart by Rhyhorn.

Mamoswine

In Pokémon X and Y, the player rides 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 Pokémon the Series episode 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.

Prior to the events of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, this service ceased operations. The main reason is the presence of wild Pokémon in the wild zones, which makes Gogoat scared. Currently, a man named Lugo is working to restart the Gogoat Shuttle business.

Alola

Poké Ride

Elio using the Poké Ride in Pokémon Sun and Moon
Main article: Poké Ride

In Alola, the player can summon a Pokémon through the Ride Pager, allowing the player to ride on them. Each Pokémon allows the player to use a special ability.

The following Poké Ride Pokémon can be ridden in Alola:

Mantine Surf

Mantine Surf is introduced as a minigame and in-universe sport in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The player can use it to travel between Mantine Surf Spots on the beaches of Alola's Islands.

Ultra Warp Ride

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Nebby creates an Ultra Wormhole and brings 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 SolgaleoUM/LunalaUS or Nebby to travel through Ultra Space by creating Ultra Wormholes and passing through them to get to alternate dimensions to catch Ultra Beasts.

Galar

Flying Taxi

Main article: Flying Taxi

Since Generation VIII, several regions have carriages pulled by Pokémon that are used as a mode of air transportation, similar to HM Fly in previous generations. These carriages are pulled by a Corviknight in Galar. They are each piloted by a Cabbie.

Rotom Bike

In Galar, similar to how it does to a Pokédex, Rotom can connect itself to a Bicycle through a Rotom Phone, greatly enhancing it.

Paldea

Flying Taxi

Main article: Flying Taxi

Since Generation VIII, several regions have carriages pulled by Pokémon that are used as a mode of air transportation, similar to HM Fly in previous generations. These carriages are pulled by a flock of Squawkabilly in Paldea. They are each piloted by a Cabbie.

  • Loading icon while using a Flying Taxi in Paldea
    Loading icon while using a Flying Taxi in Paldea

Koraidon and Miraidon

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, a KoraidonS/MiraidonV are ride Pokémon that the player befriends early on in the game and travels with them throughout the story. It allows the player to sprint on land, climb on walls, swim on water, and even fly in the air. The Pokémon replaces typical functions from previous games such as the bicycle and surfing.

Cyclizar

In Paldea, Cyclizar are mount Pokémon that were ridden by humans since ancient times and are seen being used as rides by many people in the region.

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. All five Starmobiles were built by Ortega. Additionally, they're fueled by the evolved forms of Mela's Charcadet. Starmobiles are most likely based on dekotora, a Japanese style of modifying trucks with elaborate stainless steel parts, murals, and LED lights.

Kitakami

Flying Taxi

Main article: Flying Taxi

Since Generation VIII, several regions have carriages pulled by Pokémon that are used as a mode of air transportation, similar to HM Fly in previous generations. These carriages are pulled by a flock of Noctowl in Kitakami. They are each piloted by a Cabbie.

  • Loading icon while using a Flying Taxi in Kitakami
    Loading icon while using a Flying Taxi in Kitakami

Pokédex entries

Certain Pokédex entries mention Pokémon being used as transport.

Pokémon Game Pokédex entries

Lapras 		R A Pokémon that has been overhunted almost to extinction. It can ferry people across the water.
Y A gentle soul that can read the minds of people. It can ferry people across the sea on its back.
Stad Capable of understanding the language of humans, it enjoys ferrying people on its back. It is on the verge of extinction.
S It ferries people across the sea on its back. It may sing an enchanting cry if it is in a good mood.
C This gentle Pokémon loves to give people rides and provides a very comfortable way to get around.
FR Its high intelligence enables it to understand human speech. It likes to ferry people on its back.
LG A Pokémon that has been overhunted almost to extinction. It can ferry people on its back.
DPPt It loves crossing the sea with people and Pokémon on its back. It understands human speech.
SS It ferries people across the sea on its back. It may sing an enchanting cry if it is in a good mood.
BW It loves crossing the sea with people and Pokémon on its back. It understands human speech.
B2W2 Able to understand human speech and very intelligent, it loves to swim in the sea with people on its back.
Y Its high intelligence enables it to understand human speech. It likes to ferry people on its back.
US It likes swimming around with people on its back. In the Alola region, it's an important means of transportation over water.
PE A gentle soul that can understand human speech. It can ferry people across the sea on its back.
BDSP It loves crossing the sea with people and Pokémon on its back. It understands human speech.
S It ferries people across the sea on its back. It may sing an enchanting cry if it is in a good mood.
V Able to understand human speech and very intelligent, it loves to swim in the sea with people on its back.

Gigantamax
Lapras 		Sw Over 5,000 people can ride on its shell at once. And it's a very comfortable ride, without the slightest shaking or swaying.

Skiddo 		S Until recently, people living in the mountains would ride on the back of these Pokémon to traverse the mountain paths.

Corviknight 		Sh With their great intellect and flying skills, these Pokémon very successfully act as the Galar region's airborne taxi service.
S Corviknight can’t serve as a taxi service in Paldea because the Pokémon’s natural predators will attack it while it flies, endangering the customer.

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Ranger series

In the Pokémon Ranger series, Pokémon Rangers can command certain Pokémon with their Capture Styler to use them as transport.

Fiore

Pokémon Rangers in the Fiore region can use different Pokémon as transport.

Almia

Field Moves

Several Field Moves involve using Pokémon as transport.

Oblivia

Field Moves

Several Field Moves involve using Pokémon as transport.

Ranger Signs

This section is missing one or more images.
Please feel free to add any missing images to this section. Needed images can be uploaded to the Bulbagarden Archives.
Reason: Add images of riding other Ranger Sign Pokémon
Main article: Ranger Sign

Several Legendary Pokémon can be summoned with Ranger Signs and can be ridden around the region. The following Legendary Pokémon can be ridden in Oblivia:

Browser entries

Certain Browser entries mention Pokémon being used as transport.

Pokémon Game Description

Lapras 		Pokémon Ranger If you can connect with Lapras, it may ferry you across the sea on its back.

Dragonite 		Pokémon Ranger Dragonite transports Rangers from town to town if they are deemed to be worthy.

In animation

Pokémon the Series: XY

In Pokémon the Series, 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 Grace, 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.

Gogoat have also been used as a mode of transport in Pokémon the Series. 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.

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

The Ultra Guardians each have Air Ride Pokémon.

Pokémon: Paldean Winds

Carmen riding a Cyclizar in Pokémon: Paldean Winds

In Pokémon: Paldean Winds, Carmen can be seen riding a Cyclizar.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Blasty using Hydro Canon

In Pokémon Adventures, Green uses several of her Pokémon as transportation. During her battle in the Pokémon League against Dr. O, she uses the water pressure created with Blasty's Hydro Cannon to propel herself and him into the air to launch an aerial attack. She also uses Jiggly to carry her around, which Jiggly does by inflating herself. After Jiggly's Evolution, Green uses Ririri to fly instead. She uses her Abra to transport Silver to where he was born to prevent him from partaking in the battle against the Masked Man. During the battle, she rides on top of Moltres to counter Lugia and Ho-Oh. During this same fight, Green lends her Articuno to Red to ride on and her Zapdos for Blue to ride on.

Kitty carries Yellow during her battle against Lance, allowing her to partake in an aerial battle against the controlled Lugia. He also helps her catch up to Sird and Orm after taking Silver captive. When he carries Yellow, he latches onto her back, making it appear as if she has butterfly wings.

Related articles

Nature: Pokémon • Humans • Animals • Flora
History: Games • Pokémon the Series • Horizons • Adventures
Culture: Currency • Magazines • Movies • Radio • TV (Sinnoh)
Transport (Land • Air • Water • Pokémon) • Weaponry
Mortality: Illness • Death • Ghosts
Pokémon world templates
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