Game Guide/Public Transportation
This article is a copy of "Public Transportation," an official article from the World of Warcraft Community Site. These articles overviewed the different methods of public transportation available in World of Warcraft prior to Cataclysm. The original articles are no longer available, but they can still be viewed through online archives (see below).
Article
 |
Do NOT change this article or section. It needs to be an accurate copy of the source.
|
-
Fly the skies of Azeroth! World of Warcraft features an advanced flying transportation network. Players can unlock flying routes, then buy tickets to ride flying mounts over long distances to reduce walking time. Players can travel on four types of air mounts and in Goblin Zeppelins (more on that later).
- Unlock new flying routes - To unlock new flight paths, you must search for flying-mount locations and speak with special NPC route masters -- indicated by a green "!" above their heads. After connecting two flying points, you can travel, for a fee, between those locations on an air mount. You start the game with your home city's flying point active; the remaining flying points must be discovered. When you click on a route master, a world map appears showing the flight routes you've unlocked and the price for each flight.
- See new places! - Flying gives you an entirely different view of the world. If you think you know your way around, wait until you see Azeroth by air! The flight paths are specifically designed to delight passengers with entertaining sights and glimpses of new regions, such as dangerous high-level areas that you might not be ready to explore yet. You can also get a clear view of other players adventuring on the ground and see some of the monsters that you'll be encountering later in the game.
- Flying allows you to quickly return to previous locations to complete quests, meet up with friends, shop, visit the bank, and more.
- To avoid fatal falling damage, you will be seatbelted onto the air mount for the entirety of the journey, so all you'll have to worry about is sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the ride.
-
- There is no waiting for a flight. Once you buy your ticket, you're automatically placed on the mount, and your air journey begins!
- While riding on an air mount, you can rotate the camera to view your surroundings and the ground below (and capture screenshots). You can also chat, use your character screens, organize your inventory, and so on.
- Players do not start with any flight node other than their starting city. On the Alliance side, Night Elves get Rut'theran Village/Darnasssus, Dwarves and Gnomes get Ironforge, Draenei get Exodar and Humans get Stormwind. On the Horde side, Tauren get Thunder Bluff, Orcs and Trolls get Orgrimmar, Blood Elves get Silvermoon, and Undead get Undercity.
- If you log out while in flight, you will continue flying when you log back in.
- Final Destination Flight Paths: If you're making several jumps to get to your destination, you will now be able to choose that flight path from your initial Flight Master. The costs will remain the same, but you do not need to manually click on each pat
Alliance Transportation
Alliance Air Transportation
| Gryphons |
|
The mighty gryphons of the Aerie Peaks aided the Alliance in its time of need. Part eagle and part lion, these proud creatures stand as noble symbols of the Alliance's fortitude. In addition to conveying important documents between the human, dwarf, and gnome leaders in the regions around Stormwind and Ironforge, gryphons have also been harnessed for paid transportation along routes throughout Alliance-controlled lands. |
| Hippogryphs |
|
Having sworn allegiance to the night elves in honor of Cenarius, the magical hippogryphs now patrol the skies above Northern Kalimdor, scanning the horizon for invaders. During the war, these magnificent creatures, with bodies that resemble both stags and ravens, were ridden into battle by Sentinel archers. They have since agreed to serve as paid transport for the Alliance, carrying travelers along with them on their patrol routes. |
Other Alliance Transportation
| Deeprun Tram |
|
In the aftermath of the Second War, the humans of Stormwind began the grueling task of rebuilding the war-torn lands surrounding their battered kingdom. In those days, the bonds of brotherhood that cradled the Alliance were still at their strongest, and the dwarves of Ironforge were quick to lend aid to their human allies. King Magni Bronzebeard was frustrated, however, at the sluggish pace with which his country's aid was being delivered to Stormwind, and eager as well to establish a means of reinforcing the human kingdom with dwarven soldiers should the need arise. To address these two concerns, King Bronzebeard turned to Azeroth's most esteemed engineer, High Tinker Mekkatorque, who immediately began drafting designs for a grand subterranean railway system that would link Stormwind and Ironforge. Today, his vision has become reality, and the newly-built Deeprun Tram has developed into an indispensable link between the two great capitals, providing swift and safe transportation for thousands of their citizens, and bolstering military cooperation between the armies of these two proud Alliance strongholds. |
Horde Transportation
| Wyverns |
|
The sentient wyverns of Kalimdor were eager to ally themselves with the shamanistic Horde, whose commitment to honor and victory they strongly admire. Sharing a common ancestry with dragons and gryphons, wyverns revel in flight, dutifully carrying Horde riders along various routes surrounding Thunder Bluff and Orgrimmar for a small fee. |
| Vampire Bats |
|
Like their Southern Kalimdor siblings, the vampire bats of Zul Aman have always savored the frenzied turmoil of battle. This chaotic disposition has naturally aligned them with the Forsaken, who continue their struggle against Lord Arthas' Scourge while maintaining a tense alliance with the Horde. In addition to ferrying throughout Lordaeron those who pay for their service, the vampire bats also act as scouts for the Dark Lady. |
| Dragonhawks |
|
In the aftermath of the Third War, the fierce warriors of the Dragonhawk battalions were often the first into combat, picking apart the enemy ranks and surrounding enemy towers with dense fog so that reinforcements could strike unhindered by enemy defenses. |
| Goblin Zeppelin |
|
Horde players can hop a Goblin Zeppelin for a flight up high above the world!
Other Information
Q&A; Can the Alliance Ride the Goblin Zeppelins? |
Neutral Transportation
| Boats |
Other Information
|
| Great Sea Turtles |
|
Hop aboard the amazing Great Sea Turtle! The Walker of Waves travels between Unu'pe, Borean Tundra and Moa'ki Harbor, Dragonblight. The Green Island travels between Moa'ki Harbor, Dragonblight and Kamagua, Howling Fjord. |
| Miscellaneous |
Throughout your journeys you'll encounter many strange and unique flying mounts such as mighty drakes, ingenious flying machines, and even the mystical hippogryphs of the Silver Covenant.
|
| Airships |
|
The airships fly over Ice Crown. There is an airship for both the Horde and Alliance that serve as flying quests hubs. |
| Dalaran City Portals |
|
Dalaran City offers a wealth of free one-way portals to other locations. Alliance portals are located at the Silver Enclave in Southwestern Dalaran. The Horde portals are located at the Sunreaver's Sanctuary in northeastern Dalaran. Talk to a Friendly Dalaran Wizard for directions. Alliance Portals
Horde Portals
Battleground Portals
|
| Shattrath City Portals |
| Shattrath City offers a wealth of free one-way portals to other locations. The portals are located in the Terrace of Light in the center of town.
Alliance Portals
Horde Portals
Shared Portals
Other Portals
|
| Other Portals |
| There is a portal between Undercity and Silvermoon City for the Horde. |
Notes
- The Tirisfall to Grom'gol Zeppelin was added to the list in May 2005.
- The 'Final Destination Flight Paths' in the first section was added in March or April 2006.
- Shattrath City Portals were added mid 2008.
- In November 2008, they added Dragonhawks, WotLK Zepplin and Boat Paths, Great Sea Turtles, Miscellaneous , Airships and Dalaran City Portals
- Auberdine to Valaar's Berth boat path was added in February 2009
- Other Portals were added in May 2009.