How to Get Fly in Pokémon FireRed: 8 Steps

If you have spent even ten minutes walking across Kanto in Pokémon FireRed, you already know one thing: your character has Olympic-level cardio, but your patience does not. That is exactly why Fly is one of the most useful Hidden Machines in the game. Once you get HM02 Fly, you can travel instantly to towns and cities you have already visited, saving time, Repels, and possibly your sanity.

This guide explains how to get Fly in Pokémon FireRed in 8 simple steps. You will learn where HM02 is located, what requirements you need before grabbing it, how to teach it to the right Pokémon, and how to use Fly outside battle without wondering why the game is suddenly acting like a stubborn Snorlax blocking your plans.

The good news? Fly is not hidden in a cave, guarded by a puzzle, or locked behind a dramatic Team Rocket speech. It is tucked away on Route 16, west of Celadon City, inside a small house that many players miss because it requires Cut to access. Let’s get you there.

What Is Fly in Pokémon FireRed?

Fly is both a battle move and a field move. In battle, it is a Flying-type attack where your Pokémon flies up on the first turn and strikes on the second. Outside battle, Fly becomes one of the most convenient travel tools in the entire game. After you teach it to a compatible Pokémon, you can open your party menu, select Fly, and instantly travel to most towns or cities you have already visited.

In Pokémon FireRed, Fly is obtained as HM02. Unlike TMs, HMs can be used repeatedly, so you do not need to panic about “wasting” it. However, once an HM move is taught, it normally cannot be forgotten unless you visit the Move Deleter later in the game. Translation: choose your Fly user wisely, unless you enjoy long-term commitment with feathers.

Before You Start: Requirements to Get and Use Fly

Before chasing HM02 like a Pidgey with a travel agency license, make sure you have a few things ready. You need access to Celadon City, a Pokémon that knows Cut, and enough story progress to reach the west side of town. To use Fly outside battle, you also need the Thunder Badge from Lt. Surge in Vermilion City.

Key Requirements

• Access to Celadon City: Fly is found west of Celadon, on Route 16.
• HM01 Cut: You need Cut to remove the small tree blocking the hidden path.
• A Pokémon that can learn Cut: Common options include Rattata, Oddish, Bellsprout, Sandshrew, or Meowth, depending on your version and team.
• Thunder Badge: Required to use Fly outside battle.
• A Pokémon that can learn Fly: Pidgey, Spearow, Fearow, Pidgeotto, Doduo, Charizard, and several other Flying-type Pokémon are common choices.

How to Get Fly in Pokémon FireRed: 8 Steps

Step 1: Reach Celadon City

Your first goal is to reach Celadon City, one of the largest cities in Kanto. Celadon is home to the department store, the Game Corner, Erika’s Grass-type Gym, and more distractions than a Meowth near a pile of coins. You usually arrive there after passing through Rock Tunnel, reaching Lavender Town, and traveling west through the underground path area toward Route 7.

Once you are in Celadon City, heal your Pokémon at the Pokémon Center if needed. You will not face a major battle just to get Fly, but having a healthy team is always smart. This is Pokémon FireRed, after all. One minute you are peacefully walking; the next minute a random trainer wants to test your emotional stability with four Poison-types.

Step 2: Make Sure You Have Cut

To reach HM02 Fly, you must use Cut on a small tree blocking the path on Route 16. Cut is obtained earlier in the game from the captain of the S.S. Anne in Vermilion City. If you skipped it somehow, you will need to go back and get HM01 Cut before continuing.

After obtaining Cut, teach it to a compatible Pokémon. Many players use a utility Pokémon for HM moves, often called an “HM helper.” That way, your main battlers do not lose valuable move slots. Cut is not the strongest attack in the world, so unless you are building the world’s most dramatic tree-trimming strategy, it is usually better on a support Pokémon.

Step 3: Go to the West Side of Celadon City

From Celadon City, walk toward the left side of town. You are heading to Route 16, the route that leads toward Cycling Road. This route is also near the sleeping Snorlax that blocks the main road, but do not worry: you do not need to wake Snorlax to get Fly.

This is one of the most common points of confusion. Many players see Snorlax and assume they must get the Poké Flute first. Not this time. HM02 Fly is reached through a separate upper path that branches away from the normal road. The Snorlax can keep napping like a champion mattress tester while you grab one of the best HMs in the game.

Step 4: Find the Cuttable Tree on Route 16

As you enter Route 16 from Celadon City, look for a small tree that can be cut. It is located near the eastern side of the route, just above the main path. Stand in front of the tree, open your Pokémon menu, select the Pokémon that knows Cut, and use it to remove the tree.

Once the tree disappears, walk north through the opening. This leads to a hidden upper section of Route 16. It is easy to miss because the main road naturally pulls your attention toward Cycling Road and the sleeping Snorlax. FireRed does not put up a giant neon sign saying, “Important travel upgrade this way!” Apparently, subtlety was super effective.

Step 5: Follow the Hidden Path West

After cutting the tree, continue west along the upper path. You will pass through a small gatehouse area and eventually reach a secluded house. This area feels separate from the busy Cycling Road route below, and that is the whole point. The person inside the house is trying to stay hidden.

You do not need a Bicycle to reach this specific house. The Bicycle is required for Cycling Road itself, but HM02 Fly is found before you commit to that downhill ride of doom. Just keep following the upper path until you see the house.

Step 6: Enter the House on Route 16

Go inside the small house on the hidden section of Route 16. You will meet a girl who is enjoying a secret retreat. Talk to her, and she will give you HM02 Fly. In return, she basically asks you not to tell everyone about her private hideaway.

Congratulations, you have now obtained Fly. You did not need to defeat a boss, solve a boulder puzzle, or trade your soul to Team Rocket. You just respected someone’s quiet vacation spot and received the power of instant travel. Kanto is a strange place, but sometimes it is generous.

Step 7: Teach Fly to a Compatible Pokémon

Open your Bag, go to the TM/HM section, select HM02 Fly, and choose a Pokémon that can learn it. Common early and mid-game options include Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Spearow, Fearow, and Doduo. If you chose Charmander and evolved it all the way into Charizard, Charizard can also learn Fly in FireRed.

When choosing who should learn Fly, think about your team. Fly is useful in battle, but it takes two turns, which can sometimes give opponents a chance to prepare. Still, it is a solid move for many Flying-type Pokémon during the main story. Fearow, for example, makes a fast and practical Fly user. Pidgeot is also a classic choice if you have been raising Pidgey since the early routes and now feel emotionally obligated to keep it forever.

Step 8: Use Fly from the Party Menu

Once a Pokémon knows Fly and you have the Thunder Badge, open your menu, select your Pokémon party, choose the Pokémon with Fly, and select the move. A map will appear, letting you choose a town or city you have already visited. Pick your destination, confirm, and your Pokémon will carry you there instantly.

This is where the game changes. Instead of walking from Celadon to Pewter like a person with no weekend plans, you can zip across the region in seconds. Need to visit the Move Reminder? Fly. Need to go shopping in Celadon? Fly. Forgot something in Vermilion? Fly. Need to escape the emotional weight of another cave full of Zubat? Absolutely Fly.

Where Exactly Is HM02 Fly in Pokémon FireRed?

HM02 Fly is located on Route 16, west of Celadon City, inside a hidden house reached by using Cut on a small tree. The house is in the northwest area of the route, above the main road leading toward Cycling Road.

Here is the shortest version: go to Celadon City, walk west to Route 16, cut the tree near the entrance, follow the upper path left, enter the house, and talk to the girl inside. She gives you HM02 Fly. That is the whole route in one sentence, but the eight-step version above makes sure you do not wander around like a confused Psyduck with a map.

Best Pokémon to Teach Fly in FireRed

The best Fly user depends on your team. If you want a simple, practical option, Fearow is excellent because it is fast, easy to obtain, and strong enough for much of the story. Pidgeot is another fan-favorite, especially for players who caught Pidgey early and kept it through thick, thin, and questionable Gust damage.

Doduo and Dodrio are also strong choices. They may look like they skipped wing day at the gym, but Pokémon logic says they can Fly, and honestly, arguing with Pokémon biology is a losing battle. Charizard can learn Fly too, making it a satisfying option for players who started with Charmander. Nothing says “I made it” like flying around Kanto on a fire-breathing dragon-lizard that still somehow is not Dragon-type.

Recommended Fly Users

• Fearow: Fast, reliable, and available early through Spearow.
• Pidgeot: Classic, balanced, and nostalgic for many players.
• Dodrio: Strong physical attacker and surprisingly useful.
• Charizard: Great if you picked Charmander and want a stylish travel partner.
• Aerodactyl: A cool late-game option, though not practical for getting Fly early.

Common Mistakes Players Make When Getting Fly

One common mistake is thinking you must move Snorlax before getting Fly. You do not. The hidden path to HM02 is above the main road, and the sleeping Snorlax does not block it. Another mistake is forgetting to bring a Pokémon with Cut. Without Cut, you can stare at the tree all day, but it will not move out of respect for your ambition.

Some players also get HM02 but cannot use Fly outside battle. In that case, check whether you have the Thunder Badge from Lt. Surge. You may be able to teach Fly, but field use depends on the required badge. If the game refuses to let you fast travel, it is probably not broken. It is just enforcing badge rules like a tiny digital traffic officer.

Why Fly Is So Useful in Pokémon FireRed

Fly saves a huge amount of time. Kanto has many backtracking moments, especially when you need to revisit earlier cities, heal quickly, buy items, challenge optional trainers, or return to specific locations for story progress. Once you unlock Fly, the game feels smoother and less repetitive.

It is especially helpful after major milestones. After Celadon, you may need to revisit Lavender Town, Vermilion City, Saffron City, Fuchsia City, Cinnabar Island, and eventually Indigo Plateau. Walking everywhere is possible, but Fly makes the journey cleaner. It turns Kanto from a marathon into a menu selection, and your shoes will thank you even if your sprite never changes footwear.

Battle Tips for Using Fly

In battle, Fly can be useful but should be used thoughtfully. Because it takes two turns, your Pokémon avoids many attacks on the first turn, then strikes on the second. This can help dodge certain moves, but it can also give the opponent time to switch, use a setup move, heal, or prepare. Against computer trainers in the main story, Fly is usually dependable. Against tougher battles, you may want to consider timing carefully.

Fly works well on Pokémon with good Attack stats. Since FireRed uses Generation III mechanics, move categories are based on type, and Flying-type moves are physical. That makes Fly better on physical attackers like Fearow, Dodrio, and Charizard than on Pokémon with weaker Attack. For regular story play, though, convenience matters just as much as perfect strategy.

Extra Experience: What Getting Fly Feels Like in a Real FireRed Playthrough

Getting Fly in Pokémon FireRed feels like the moment the game quietly hands you the keys to Kanto. Before Fly, every trip is a commitment. You want to go from Celadon to Pewter? Pack snacks. You want to return to Vermilion? Prepare for grass, trainers, caves, and the haunting possibility of one more wild encounter when you are already two steps from the exit. The game is charming, but before Fly, Kanto can feel like it was designed by someone who believed walking built character.

In many playthroughs, players reach Celadon City and immediately get distracted. The department store is huge, the Game Corner is suspiciously shiny, Erika’s Gym is waiting, and Team Rocket is up to exactly the kind of nonsense you would expect from adults who dress like matching trouble magnets. Because of all that, HM02 is easy to overlook. It is not sitting in the center of town. It is not handed to you after a Gym battle. It is not part of a dramatic story scene. It is just waiting in a little hidden house west of the city.

The first time many players find Fly, it feels like discovering a secret the game trusted you to notice. You cut the tree, walk through the upper path, find the quiet house, and receive an HM from someone who wants her privacy. It is simple, but it has that classic Pokémon charm: a useful reward tucked behind a small observation test. No giant arrow, no glowing marker, no quest log yelling at you. Just exploration.

From a practical standpoint, Fly changes how you plan your adventure. Suddenly, healing is faster. Shopping is easier. Revisiting old areas is no longer a chore. If you forgot to catch a Pokémon near Viridian Forest, you can go back without mentally calculating a cross-region hiking route. If you need more supplies from Celadon Department Store, you can return in seconds. If you want to challenge trainers you skipped, Fly makes cleanup much less annoying.

Fly also creates a stronger bond with your Flying-type Pokémon. The Pokémon you teach Fly often becomes your travel partner for the rest of the game. Maybe it is the Pidgey you caught at the beginning and refused to box because loyalty matters. Maybe it is a Spearow that evolved into Fearow and now handles both transportation and battle cleanup. Maybe it is Charizard, because flying on Charizard is objectively cooler than walking, biking, or politely asking a Doduo how this is physically happening.

One good habit is to get Fly as soon as you have access to Celadon and Cut. Do not wait until late game. The earlier you get it, the more value it provides. Even if you are not ready to use it constantly, having it available reduces travel time and makes the rest of the adventure feel more flexible. In a game full of routes, caves, badges, and errands, Fly is one of the best quality-of-life upgrades you can get.

Conclusion

To get Fly in Pokémon FireRed, travel to Celadon City, head west to Route 16, use Cut on the small tree, follow the hidden upper path, enter the secluded house, and talk to the girl inside to receive HM02 Fly. Teach it to a compatible Pokémon, make sure you have the Thunder Badge, and you can fast travel across Kanto to places you have already visited.

Fly is one of the most useful HMs in the game because it saves time, simplifies backtracking, and makes your adventure feel much smoother. Whether you teach it to Pidgeot, Fearow, Dodrio, or Charizard, it quickly becomes one of those moves you wonder how you ever lived without. Kanto is a big region, and your legs have done enough. Let your Flying-type handle the commute.