How to Drive a UFO in Mario Kart World (2025): UFO Locations, Tricks & Secrets
Have you spotted a mysterious flying object hovering in the skies of Mario Kart World while exploring Free Roam? You’re not alone. Many players have encountered these elusive UFOs during their free driving adventures. But here’s the twist — these aren’t just background eye candy or quirky easter eggs. With the right approach, you can actually pilot a UFO in Mario Kart World — and it’s one of the most thrilling experiences in the game!
In this complete guide, we’ll cover how to find UFOs, where they spawn, how to control them, and strategies for maximizing your short time in the air. From activating secret P-switches to navigating shadowy forest paths, here’s everything you need to know about driving UFOs in Mario Kart World.
🚀 UFOs in Mario Kart World: An Overview
UFOs in Mario Kart World can be found exclusively in Free Roam mode, and piloting one turns your gameplay into a futuristic aerial experience. These flying vehicles function similarly to karts but with the added twist of being able to hover mid-air and abduct items using a tractor beam.
However, there’s a catch — each time you gain control of a UFO, you’re only given about 30 seconds to enjoy the ride before it vanishes, leaving your character gliding back to the ground. This limited time makes finding and using UFOs both exciting and strategic.
Why You Should Drive a UFO
- Collect Blue Coins in hard-to-reach areas
- Grab Peach Medallions from floating or distant platforms
- Experience aerial maneuvering in ways no kart can offer
- Complete exclusive challenges tied to UFO usage
- Discover hidden parts of the map not accessible on the ground
Let’s explore where and how to find them.
📍 UFO Location #1: P-Switch Near Moo Moo Meadows
If you’re looking for a guaranteed UFO experience, your first stop should be just north of the Moo Moo Meadows track.
How to Get There:
- Launch Free Roam mode and head to Moo Moo Meadows, which is centrally located on the map.
- From the track’s northern exit, drive up the main road.
- Look to your left, in the grass area — you’ll spot a blue P-Switch.
What Happens When You Activate It:
- As soon as you hit the P-Switch, you’ll be immediately transported into a UFO cockpit.
- The mission? “Search fields. Abduct Blue Coins.”
- Use the R button to activate your tractor beam and start collecting coins mid-air.
🚨 Note: You can’t fly this UFO around freely after the mission ends. Once the timer runs out, the UFO disappears, and you’re returned to Free Roam.
Still, this is one of the most reliable and fastest ways to get a taste of flying a UFO.
🌲 UFO Location #2: Secret Woods Near Mario Circuit
Want a UFO you can fly without being thrown into a timed challenge? Head to the forests west of Mario Circuit, near the edge of the volcano zone.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- From Mario Circuit, take the bridge westward over the river.
- As you reach the darker, wooded section, look for a large tree near a cliff.
- Drive behind the tree, off-road — don’t worry, there are no penalties here.
- Continue following the torch-lit path deeper into the forest.
You’ll eventually spot a hovering UFO emitting a faint green beam of light.
How to Pilot This UFO:
- Drive beneath the beam — this triggers a beam-up sequence and puts you in control of the craft.
- This version is not tied to a timed mission, but it still follows the same 30-second flight limit.
- You can repeat this process as often as you’d like. Once the UFO vanishes, fast-travel back to Mario Circuit and return for another ride.
💡 Pro Tip: Use this UFO to reach cliffside Peach Medallions and discover floating islands otherwise inaccessible by ground vehicles.
🔭 Additional UFO Sightings in Free Roam
Outside the guaranteed locations, several players (including our team) have reported spontaneous UFO appearances across the map.
Here’s what we know so far:
Choco Mountain Region
- Location: South of Choco Mountain, in the central Free Roam area.
- How to Spot: Keep your eyes on the sky. Occasionally, a UFO will float closer to ground level.
- How to Drive It: If the UFO hovers low enough, you can approach it. Once you’re within range of its beam, it will pull you up automatically — no switch required.
Tips for Random UFOs:
- Stay mobile: UFOs in these areas don’t always stay still — they move!
- Follow them: If you see one above you, track it for a while to see if it descends.
- Try again: If it disappears, wait a few in-game minutes and return. Spawn rates may vary based on time of day or your location on the map.
🛸 Mastering the Controls: How to Fly a UFO in Mario Kart World
Once you’re inside a UFO, the mechanics change slightly from normal kart controls.
Basic UFO Controls:
- Left Stick: Steer the UFO in mid-air.
- A (Accelerate): Propel forward at a medium-fast pace.
- B (Brake): Slow your speed or come to a hover.
- R (Tractor Beam): Use this to abduct items like Blue Coins or interact with floating objects.
- Note: Using the tractor beam slows your speed, so time it wisely.
Advanced Tactics:
- Tilt and Glide: UFOs aren’t locked into flat planes. Slightly tilt to the left or right to reach angled platforms.
- Hover and Collect: Stop mid-air over items, then activate the beam to pick them up easily.
- Combo Strategy: Use UFOs to first collect floating coins, then glide down into a nearby shortcut or off-map area to unlock secret achievements.
💰 What Can You Do With the UFO?
While piloting the UFO, you won’t be racing other players, but there are multiple benefits and hidden objectives:
- Abduct Blue Coins to complete specific Free Roam missions.
- Collect Peach Medallions hidden above cliffs, on clouds, or across ravines.
- Trigger Secret Challenges — some floating markers only appear when you’re in a UFO.
- Earn Badges — frequent flyers can earn “UFO Pilot” and “Galactic Collector” badges.
- Unlock Hidden Characters or Skins — speculation continues, but some players claim abducting all floating coins in one flight reveals rare cosmetic unlocks.
🔍 Rumor: A hidden “Galactic Racer” character may unlock after piloting a UFO from all known locations. This remains unconfirmed but is worth attempting.
⏱️ How to Maximize Your 30-Second Flight Window
With only 30 seconds per UFO session, make every second count:
- Scout the area beforehand so you know where coins and medallions are.
- Plan a route: Prioritize the most valuable pickups first.
- Don’t spam the beam: Using the tractor beam too often will cut into your mobility.
- Use gliding transitions: At the end of your UFO session, glide into hard-to-reach areas to extend your exploration time.
📌 UFO FAQ – Everything You Need to Know
Q: Can you keep the UFO after the timer expires?
A: No. The UFO always vanishes after 30 seconds, returning you to ground mode.
Q: Can UFOs be used in multiplayer races?
A: Not currently. UFOs are exclusive to Free Roam exploration.
Q: Do UFOs always spawn in the same location?
A: Some do. The P-Switch and forest locations are confirmed spawns. Others appear to be random.
Q: Can UFOs crash or get damaged?
A: No. They vanish on a timer, not due to collisions or hazards.
🌌 Final Thoughts: The UFO Experience in Mario Kart World
The inclusion of UFOs in Mario Kart World adds an unexpected but delightful layer to Free Roam exploration. Not only do they provide a new form of gameplay — aerial navigation and item collection — but they also serve as a nod to the game’s playful and mysterious design.
Whether you’re a casual player or a completionist, learning how to fly a UFO gives you access to secret areas, limited-time missions, and unique rewards that ground-based vehicles simply can’t reach.
So next time you’re out cruising near Moo Moo Meadows or wandering the misty woods near Mario Circuit, look up — your next UFO joyride might be just a few steps (or switches) away.