Walking Is Overrated—Let’s Fly Instead
If you’ve been trudging across Kanto route by route, step by step, it might feel like your journey will take forever. Every time you leave a city, you know another maze of grass, trainers, and caves awaits. But what if you could skip it all in an instant? In Pokémon Yellow, there’s a way to do just that—HM02 Fly. It’s not just a move—it’s your ticket to fast travel and total freedom. Here’s how to find it, teach it, and make your travels smoother than ever.
Introduction :
Ready to soar across Kanto like a pro? Fly lets you warp to any previously visited city in seconds. But before you can take to the skies, you’ll need to complete a short side mission tucked away on Route 16. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Prerequisites Before You Go
Make sure you’ve got the following covered:
- Defeat Lt. Surge in Vermilion City – You’ll need the Thunder Badge to use Fly outside of battle.
- Have a Pokémon that knows Cut – You’ll need it to clear a tree blocking the way. (Still missing it? Visit the S.S. Anne’s Captain in Vermilion City.)
- (Optional) Bring a Flying-type Pokémon ready to learn Fly – Great options include Pidgeotto, Charizard, or Fearow.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Fly in Pokémon Yellow
Step 1: Defeat Lt. Surge in Vermilion City
Before you can use Fly outside of battle, you must first earn the Thunder Badge by defeating Lt. Surge, the Electric-type Gym Leader located in Vermilion City. His team consists entirely of Electric-type Pokémon, which can be a problem for Water- or Flying-type Pokémon. A good strategy is to bring a Ground-type Pokémon such as Diglett or Sandshrew, both of which are immune to Electric-type attacks and can easily deal with Surge’s team. Once you win the battle and receive the badge, you’ll gain the ability to use Fly on the overworld—though you’ll still need to find the HM first.
Step 2: Get a Pokémon That Knows Cut
In order to access the hidden house that contains HM Fly, you will need a Pokémon that knows the move Cut. If you haven’t obtained Cut yet, you’ll find it by boarding the S.S. Anne, docked at Vermilion City. Explore the ship until you reach the Captain’s quarters. After helping him recover from seasickness, he will reward you with HM01 (Cut). Teach it to a compatible Pokémon like Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or another species that can learn the move. You’ll need to use Cut later to remove a tree blocking your path west of Celadon City.
Step 3: (Optional) Prepare a Pokémon to Learn Fly
Though not strictly necessary at this point, it’s a good idea to have a Pokémon in your party that can learn Fly once you obtain the HM. The move can be taught to several Flying-type Pokémon, but some of the best candidates include Pidgeotto, Fearow, and Charizard. These Pokémon benefit from Fly not only for its utility as a travel move but also because of the Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB) they receive in battles. Having a solid Flying-type Pokémon ready ensures you can use Fly as soon as you receive it.
Step 4: Travel to Celadon City
Your next objective is to reach Celadon City, one of the major urban centers in the Kanto region. If you’re starting from Lavender Town, follow Route 8 westward and then use the Underground Path to bypass the Saffron City gates, which are still blocked at this stage of the game. When you emerge from the Underground Path, head west to enter Celadon City. If you’re already nearby, you can also use moves like Dig or items like Escape Rope to return to familiar areas and then make your way there more efficiently.
Step 5: Exit Celadon City Using the West Exit
Once you arrive in Celadon City, locate the west exit of the city. This area is near the Celadon Gym and the Pokémon yellow Center, and leads you toward Route 16. This is the area you’ll need to explore in order to access the house that contains HM Fly. Look for a small guard house near the top-left corner of the city’s map—this is where you’ll be heading next.
Step 6: Cut Down the Small Tree Blocking the Way
As you approach the guard house near Celadon City’s western edge, you’ll see a small tree obstructing the path just above it. This is where the move Cut becomes essential. Stand directly in front of the tree, open your menu, and select the Pokémon that knows Cut. Once you activate the move, the tree will disappear and the path ahead will become accessible. Walk through the newly opened space to continue your journey.
Step 7: Navigate the Guard House Path Correctly
After you cut down the tree and pass through the gap, you’ll enter a guard house. This structure contains two paths—one that leads downstairs and one that continues on the top level. Make sure to take the top path through the guard house, as the lower path simply leads you into the main part of Route 16. The house you’re looking for is hidden along the upper trail, so do not descend the stairs. Exit the guard house from the upper level and keep following the outer route.
Step 8: Enter the Hidden House and Receive HM Fly
As you continue along the upper path outside the guard house, you’ll eventually come across a small building that appears almost hidden at the end of the route. Enter the house and speak to the girl inside. She will mention that she used to be affiliated with Team Rocket but has since left that life behind. As a reward for finding her and making it all the way to her secluded home, she will give you HM02 – Fly. Once you receive the move, you can teach it to any compatible Pokémon in your party.
Why Fly Is a Must-Have Move
Fly isn’t just a convenient shortcut—it’s a powerhouse tool with multiple uses:
- Travel instantly between cities and skip tedious backtracking
- Escape dungeons or caves without wasting an Escape Rope
- Deal serious damage in battle—Fly is a strong two-turn Flying-type attack
- Reach Cycling Road, which requires Fly to access conveniently
Bonus Tips for Smart Trainers
- Best Pokémon for Fly: Charizard, Fearow, Pidgeot, and Dragonite all make excellent flyers.
- Can’t find the path? Make sure to Cut the correct tree near Route 16’s entrance.
- Don’t forget Cut! If you missed it, go back to the S.S. Anne’s Captain before the ship leaves!
Conclusion: Your Wings Are Ready
With HM02 Fly in your possession, the Kanto region just got a whole lot smaller. No more endless hiking across the same routes—now you can skip the grind and get straight to the action. Whether you’re heading to your next Gym Battle or just forgot to stock up on items, Fly has your back. So teach it to a trusty flying companion and take off—adventure awaits in every direction!
Need help with another hidden item or tricky location in Pokémon Yellow? I’ve got you covered. Just say the word, Trainer!
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