The Key to the Perfect Pokémon Go Road Trip

It’s unlikely that you’ve been able to miss the new mobile app by Niantic and Nintendo that has been taking the world by storm: Pokémon Go. 

Even if you haven’t tried it out (yet) it’s likely that you’ve seen the hordes of people clustered around key points all swiping at their phones. Merging real world locations with fictional characters, this app has been getting people out and about in record numbers, hunting for pokémon and incubating eggs in the hopes that they can catch ‘em all. One New Zealander went so far as quitting his job to embark on a nationwide pokémon hunt. 

Although some called him foolhardy, his quest has ended up attracting worldwide media attention and multiple job offers from international gaming companies. This may sound like a dream come true for pokémon fans, but tracking these fantastical creatures isn’t without risk. A spate of injuries have been reported, as overly keen pokémon hunters have sometimes lost track of their real-world surroundings in their zeal to capture rare specimens. Keeping a clear head and a good awareness of what’s happening around you are important traits for an aspiring pokémon trainer.

One of the intriguing aspects of Pokemon Go is the fact that not only do pokémon locations vary according to terrain (Magikarps and Tentacools being found near water, Venonats and Weedles hanging out in grassy areas, Rattatas and Pidgeys infesting the suburbs, etc) but in order to have a good chance of catching every type, you’ll need to travel away from your native region and strike out for other cities, provinces - even countries. 

If you’re prepared to go the extra mile to fill out your pokémon collection, some serious road tripping is in order. While driving isn’t a good time to catch these creatures (especially if you’re at the wheel!) travelling to another location and staying there for a while is the perfect way to add some diversity to your Pokedex and have a chance at finding those ultra rare pokémon. 

Setting out on your great Pokémon Go hunt in a motorhome rental offers the best of both worlds - after all, it’s accommodation on wheels so you have the flexibility to head in whichever direction seems promising, and it’s easy to settle down for a day or two to enjoy the local attractions and catch all the local specimens! We’d suggest sitting down and figuring out an itinerary that covers the different parts of the country you’d like to explore - that way you’ll be able to book holiday parks or campgrounds ahead of time with the chance secure even cheaper rates. 

While travelling is a fantastic way to discover different concentrations of pokémon (rarity seems to vary from place to place, with some types much more common in certain regions than others) the rules around which types you’re likely to find in different climates and terrain stays pretty much the same worldwide. Below is a brief list of places that you might find certain pokémon - these aren’t hard and fast rules, but more like guidelines.

Fire & Ground type:

If you have a desert near you, you’re in luck - otherwise you’ll have to settle for relatively arid areas - they also show up at beaches occasionally.
 

Grass type:

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out where these are going to be found. Parks and golf courses are promising spots, but these critters can be found (less commonly) almost anywhere.
 

Normal type:

Normal type pokémon can be found hanging out in cities and suburbs, and also seem at home near lakes and in parks.
 

Water type: 

Beaches are one of the best places to find water type pokémon, but urban waterfronts will work just as well - even ponds, streams and lakes.
 

Dragon & Ice type:

It’s hard to know exactly where to find these pokémon as they tend to be more rare, but a few people have reported having some luck discovering them around rivers.

 

Now that you’re armed with information, a plan and a mobile phone, it’s time to start plotting your quest to be the very best, like no one ever was! Some of the best places to catch Pokemons include London, New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, Chicago, Rome and Sydney.