How to Get Elytra in Minecraft: Find the End City and Ship
To get elytra in Minecraft, defeat the Ender Dragon, travel through an end gateway to the outer End islands, find an End city with a ship, and take the elytra from the item frame on that ship. Here is how to get elytra in Minecraft, step by step, from the dragon fight to your first flight.
Elytra are the only wings in the game and turn slow overworld travel into gliding flight. There is exactly one place they spawn, so the route matters.
Beat the Ender Dragon First
You cannot reach the outer End islands until the dragon is dead and an end gateway appears.
- Locate a stronghold by throwing eye of ender and following them, then find the portal room.
- Fill the End portal with eyes of ender and drop into the End dimension.
- Destroy the end crystals on the obsidian pillars, then attack the dragon until it dies.
- Wait for the end gateway to appear near the central exit portal once the dragon falls.
Tip: Bring extra blocks, a bow, and slow-falling or a water bucket. Falling off the main island into the void is the most common way runs end early.
Travel to the Outer Islands
The end gateway is a small portal that teleports you roughly a thousand blocks out to the ring of outer islands where cities generate.
- Throw an ender pearl into the gateway portal, or build up and step through the top.
- Arrive on the outer islands, a landscape of tall end-stone terrain and chorus plants.
- Bridge across the void gaps between islands, since they are separated by open drops.
- Search for a purple End city, a tall tower structure that stands out against the pale terrain.
Warning: The void has no bottom. One fall means losing everything you carry, so bridge carefully and keep blocks on your hotbar.
Find the End Ship
Not every End city has a ship, and the elytra only spawn on the ship. Keep exploring until you find one.
- Look for a floating vessel near the city, shaped like a dark end-stone galleon hovering off the main tower.
- Bridge out to the ship across the gap, since it floats separately from the city.
- Beware the shulkers, box-like mobs on the walls that shoot levitation projectiles.
- Head to the ship’s interior where the elytra hang in an item frame.
If a city has no ship, note its location and move on to the next one. Cities are common on the outer islands, so another is usually nearby.
Take the Elytra and Equip It
The elytra sit in an item frame on the deck near the entrance to the ship’s lower rooms.
- Remove the elytra from the item frame by attacking it once.
- Grab the bonus loot from the two chests on the ship, plus the dragon head on the prow.
- Open your inventory and place the elytra in the chestplate slot.
- Jump and press the jump key again while falling to start gliding.
Fly, Repair, and Boost
Learning how to get elytra in Minecraft is only half the job; flying well takes a little practice and upkeep.
- Boost with fireworks: hold a firework rocket and use it while gliding for a big speed burst.
- Repair with an anvil: combine a worn elytra with phantom membrane to restore durability.
- Watch your altitude: angle down to gain speed, then level out to convert it into distance.
This table compares travel speeds so you can see why the wings are worth the trip.
| Travel method | Relative speed | Needs setup |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Slow | No |
| Sprinting | Moderate | No |
| Elytra glide | Fast | Elytra |
| Elytra with rockets | Very fast | Elytra plus fireworks |
Elytra with firework boosting is the fastest sustained travel in the game, far outpacing sprinting or a horse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I craft elytra? No. Elytra cannot be crafted. The only way to obtain them is from the item frame on an End ship in the outer End islands.
How many elytra can I find? One per End ship. Since there are many End cities on the outer islands and beyond, you can collect as many as you have patience to explore for.
How do I repair elytra? Combine the elytra with phantom membrane on an anvil, or use the Mending enchantment so it repairs from experience orbs as you play.
Do I need to beat the dragon to get elytra? Yes. The end gateway that leads to the outer islands only appears after the Ender Dragon is defeated, so the fight is required.
Can I wear armor and elytra at the same time? Not on the chest. Elytra occupy the chestplate slot, so you fly without chest armor. Helmet, leggings, and boots still provide their normal protection.
