Getting out of Cerulean City in the Pokémon games is one of the most memorable moments for players, especially those exploring the Kanto region for the first time. After defeating the Cerulean City Gym Leader, Misty, many trainers find themselves wondering how to leave the city and continue their journey. The process involves a few key steps, some exploration, and a bit of puzzle-solving. Whether you’re playing Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, or LeafGreen, the path out of Cerulean City follows a similar sequence. This guide will explain everything you need to know about how to get out of Cerulean City smoothly and move forward in your adventure.
Understanding Cerulean City’s Layout
Cerulean City is located in the northern part of the Kanto region and serves as the second major city you encounter in most Pokémon games from Generation I and its remakes. It is famous for the Cerulean Gym, where Misty, the Water-type Gym Leader, awaits challengers. The city also has several key locations, including the Pokémon Center, Poké Mart, Bike Shop, and a house that leads to Nugget Bridge on Route 24.
Before you can exit Cerulean City, you must complete a few story-related tasks. Many players get stuck here because several routes are blocked early in the game. Understanding which exits are available and when they unlock is crucial to progressing.
Steps to Leave Cerulean City
1. Defeat Misty at the Cerulean Gym
Your first major objective in Cerulean City is to challenge Misty, who uses Water-type Pokémon. Her typical lineup includes Staryu and Starmie. Make sure your team is prepared, ideally with Electric or Grass-type Pokémon to exploit her team’s weakness. Once you defeat Misty, you’ll receive the Cascade Badge and TM11 (Water Pulse in FireRed and LeafGreen).
This victory is important because it allows you to control higher-level Pokémon and progress to the next phase of the story. After this battle, several areas that were previously blocked become accessible.
2. Visit the House Next to the Gym
After your battle with Misty, you will notice a house to the north of the Gym that has been broken into. A police officer stands outside, investigating a robbery committed by Team Rocket. Initially, the officer will block the entrance. However, once you’ve earned the Cascade Badge, the officer will move aside, allowing you to enter the house.
Inside, you’ll find the homeowner upset about the burglary. Exit through the back door of the house, and you’ll encounter a Team Rocket Grunt in the backyard. Defeat him in battle, and you’ll receive the TM for Dig as a reward. This event unlocks the pathway to the next area.
3. Access Route 5 Through the South Exit
Once you’ve defeated the Team Rocket member, you can proceed south of Cerulean City. However, you’ll notice that the direct path is blocked by a guard at the gate who says he’s thirsty. This means you cannot use the main Saffron City gate yet. Instead, look for an alternate route to continue your journey toward Vermilion City.
To do this, find the small underground path entrance located just south of the Cerulean City Pokémon Center. This tunnel connects Route 5 to Route 6, allowing you to bypass Saffron City temporarily. When you emerge from the tunnel, you’ll find yourself on the path to Vermilion City, where your next Gym challenge awaits.
Alternative Paths and Exploration
While the main storyline takes you south through the underground path, Cerulean City also offers other routes worth exploring. Many players choose to travel north toward Nugget Bridge first before leaving the city entirely.
Route 24 and Nugget Bridge
North of Cerulean City lies Nugget Bridge, one of the most iconic locations in the game. You’ll encounter a series of five trainers in a row, followed by a Team Rocket recruiter who offers you a spot in the organization after your victory. Once you defeat them all, you can continue north to Route 25, where you’ll meet Bill, the Pokémon researcher who lives in a cottage by the sea.
Meeting Bill is an essential part of the game’s story. After helping him revert to his human form (after an experiment gone wrong), he rewards you with a ticket to the S.S. Anne, a luxury cruise ship docked in Vermilion City. This ticket becomes your key to advancing further in the game.
Return to Cerulean City After Meeting Bill
After you visit Bill and receive the S.S. Ticket, return to Cerulean City. At this point, you’ll have both the Cascade Badge and the ship ticket, meaning you are fully prepared to head south toward Vermilion City. Make sure to heal your Pokémon and stock up on supplies before you leave.
Common Mistakes Players Make
Many players, especially beginners, get stuck in Cerulean City because they don’t realize how to unlock the southern exit or trigger the Team Rocket event. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Skipping Misty’s Gym BattleYou must defeat Misty before the police officer moves from the robbed house entrance.
- Ignoring the Team Rocket GruntThe event outside the house is essential to open the southern path.
- Trying to Enter Saffron City Too EarlyThe guard blocks the way until you obtain a drink from Celadon City later in the game.
- Not Visiting BillWithout the S.S. Ticket, you cannot access the next major story event in Vermilion City.
Exploring Beyond Cerulean City
Once you’ve successfully left Cerulean City, the adventure continues with exciting new challenges. You’ll travel south through the underground path, reaching Route 6, which leads directly into Vermilion City. Here, you can explore new areas, catch different Pokémon, and take on Lt. Surge, the Electric-type Gym Leader.
In Vermilion City, you’ll also board the S.S. Anne using the ticket you received from Bill. Inside the ship, you’ll face multiple trainers, find valuable items, and eventually meet your rival for another battle. Helping the ship’s captain earns you the HM01 Cut, which allows you to remove small trees blocking pathways. This ability will let you access previously unreachable areas in earlier routes, including shortcuts around Cerulean City itself.
Backtracking with New Abilities
After obtaining the Cut HM, you can return to Cerulean City and explore additional paths you may have missed. Some routes, like Route 9 to the east, become accessible only after using Cut. This area leads to the Rock Tunnel and Lavender Town, further expanding your journey through the Kanto region.
Tips for New Players
If you’re new to the Pokémon series or revisiting the Kanto region, here are a few helpful tips for navigating and leaving Cerulean City efficiently
- Train your Pokémon before challenging Misty, especially Electric or Grass types like Pikachu or Bellsprout.
- Always talk to NPCs (non-player characters); many provide clues or items that help progress the story.
- Check your map regularly to understand how routes connect between cities.
- Save your game frequently, especially before major battles or storyline events.
- Use the underground path to bypass blocked routes until Saffron City opens later in the game.
Learning how to get out of Cerulean City is an essential step in every Pokémon trainer’s journey through the Kanto region. It’s a moment that teaches players how exploration, strategy, and persistence pay off. By defeating Misty, battling Team Rocket, helping Bill, and finding your way through the underground path, you move closer to becoming a Pokémon Champion. Cerulean City stands as both a challenge and a gateway, marking the transition from early-game discovery to a broader, more adventurous world. Once you step beyond its borders, the path to Vermilion City awaits, filled with new Pokémon, battles, and the promise of greater adventures ahead.