Mounts in Final Fantasy XIV are your ticket to faster, more stylish travel across Eorzea. From your first humble chocobo to fearsome dragons and luxury cars, the game has hundreds of rideable mounts to collect. This complete guide walks you through how the mount system works, how to claim your very first mount, where every other mount comes from, how to unlock flying, and how to summon and manage the ones you own.
Before you start collecting, it helps to know the basics. Every mount in Final Fantasy XIV moves at the same base speed, so they are purely cosmetic — there are no "better" or "worse" mounts for travel. That means you are free to ride whichever one you think looks coolest. Here is everything you need to know, step by step.
What you'll need
- A character that has reached level 20 in any combat class or job.
- Progress through the early Main Scenario Quests (MSQ) up to joining a Grand Company.
- For flying: access to the relevant expansion zones and the Aether Current feature.
How mounts work in FFXIV
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Step 1: Understand what mounts are
Mounts are rideable creatures and vehicles that speed up your travel. There are two states: ground mounts, which run across the land, and flying mounts — the same mounts, but able to take to the air once you have unlocked flight in a given zone. Because all mounts share the same movement speed, collecting them is about personal style and prestige rather than performance.
Ground mounts run on land; the same mounts can fly once a zone's flight is unlocked. -
Step 2: Unlock your first mount, the Company Chocobo
Your first mount is free. Level a combat class to 20 and progress the Main Scenario until you can pledge to one of the three Grand Companies — the Maelstrom, the Order of the Twin Adder, or the Immortal Flames. Once enlisted, take the quest "My Little Chocobo" from your Grand Company and buy a Chocobo Issuance for 200 Company Seals. Use the item and your loyal chocobo mount is yours for good.
Reach level 20, join a Grand Company, then claim the Company Chocobo. -
Step 3: Discover where other mounts come from
After your chocobo, the collection opens up. Mounts come from a huge variety of sources: Main Scenario and side quests hand out free mounts at story milestones; Grand Company seals buy faction mounts from the quartermaster; trials and raids can drop rare boss mounts; achievements reward unique mounts for long-term goals; vendors accept tomestones and gil (and the Market Board lets players trade some mounts); and the optional Mog Station store sells cosmetic mounts for real money.
Mounts are earned from quests, boss drops, achievements, vendors, and the Mog Station. -
Step 4: Unlock flying with Aether Currents
Flying is unlocked per zone, not all at once. In each flyable area you must collect every Aether Current for that zone. Some currents are found floating in the world (attune to them as you explore), while others are rewarded by completing specific side quests. Open the Aether Currents menu to track your progress; once you have gathered them all for a zone, you can fly there freely on any mount.
Attune to every Aether Current in a zone — from the map and from quests — to unlock flight there. -
Step 5: Summon and manage your mounts
Open the Mount Guide from the Character menu to see every mount you own. Select one and press Summon Mount, or drag a mount onto a hotbar slot to call it with a single key. For variety, set up the Mount Roulette action to summon a random mount you own. Some special mounts even seat two to four players, so you can give friends a lift, and many come with their own background music.
Use the Mount Guide to summon any mount, or assign favorites to a hotbar key.
Tips for collecting mounts
- Do your daily roulettes. Running content keeps trial and raid mounts in reach, since rare boss mounts often need repeated clears.
- Save your Grand Company seals. Seals buy useful faction mounts as well as gear and materials, so spend them with a plan.
- Knock out Aether Currents early. Grabbing them as you complete a zone's story means you can fly the moment you finish exploring.
- Chase achievement mounts over time. Many are long-term goals like leveling every job — they come naturally as you play.
Troubleshooting
I can't summon a mount at all
You must have completed "My Little Chocobo" first. If you have, make sure you are not in an area or instance that disables mounts, and that you are out of combat.
My mount won't fly
Flight is locked until you have collected all Aether Currents for that specific zone. Check the Aether Currents menu — if any are missing, look for floating currents in the world or unfinished side quests marked for currents.
A mount I earned isn't showing up
Most mounts arrive as an item you must use from your inventory before they appear in the Mount Guide. Look for a mount-related item, right-click it, and confirm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first mount you get in FFXIV?
The Company Chocobo, unlocked at level 20 through the "My Little Chocobo" quest after you join a Grand Company. It costs 200 Company Seals and is free to keep.
Are all mounts in FFXIV the same speed?
Yes. Every mount moves at the same base speed both on the ground and in the air, so the choice is purely about appearance.
How do you unlock flying mounts in FFXIV?
Flight is unlocked zone by zone. Collect every Aether Current in a given area — some are found in the world and some come from side quests — and you can then fly there on any mount.
Do you have to pay real money for mounts?
No. The vast majority of mounts are earned through gameplay. Only the optional Mog Station store sells some cosmetic mounts for real money, and they are never required.
Can mounts carry more than one player?
Some can. Certain mounts seat two to four players at once, letting you ferry party members around together.
Final thoughts
Mounts are one of the most rewarding things to chase in Final Fantasy XIV. Start with your free chocobo, knock out Aether Currents to take to the skies, and then pick a long-term collection goal — whether that is raid drops, achievement mounts, or simply the ones that look the best. For the latest official details on the game and its features, see the official Final Fantasy XIV website.
