Traversing the sprawling landscape of the Scottish Highlands on foot is a rewarding experience, but nothing compares to the freedom of soaring over the battlements of Hogwarts on a broomstick. While flight is a core mechanic of the wizarding world, the game does not grant you this ability immediately. You must earn your wings through progression and a bit of gold. This detailed breakdown covers everything from your first flying lesson to advanced maneuvers and broom upgrades.

Unlocking the Ability to Fly

Accessing a broom is tied directly to your progress in the main story. You cannot simply walk to a shop and buy one as soon as you arrive at the school. The primary gatekeeper is the main quest titled "Jackdaw’s Rest." This is a pivotal mission that takes you into a dangerous cavern and eventually leads to the discovery of the Map Chamber.

Once "Jackdaw’s Rest" is completed, the game will notify you that a new class is available: Flying Class. This lesson is held on the lawn outside the castle and is presided over by Professor Kogawa. During this quest, you will learn the fundamental controls of broom flight, including how to steer, gain altitude, and perform basic speed bursts. You will also go on a brief aerial tour of the castle grounds with a fellow student, Everett Clopton, which serves as your practical exam.

It is important to note that completing the class grants you the skill to fly, but you do not get to keep the school broom. You must purchase your own personal transport to use it freely in the open world.

Where to Buy Your First Broom

After finishing your first flying lesson, your next stop should be Hogsmeade. Specifically, you need to visit "Spinwitches Sporting Needs." This shop is located in the southern part of the village and is run by Albie Weekes.

When you first enter the shop after the flying class, Albie will have five different broom models available for purchase. Each of these initial brooms costs 600 Gold. It is worth noting that at this stage, the differences between the brooms are purely cosmetic. Whether you choose the Ember Dash, the Hogwarts House Broom, or the Wind Wisp, they will all perform identically in terms of speed and handling. Choose the one that best fits your character's aesthetic.

If you find yourself short on gold, selling gear you no longer need to local vendors is the most efficient way to raise the 600 coins required. Once you complete the purchase, the broom is added to your permanent inventory.

How to Mount Your Broom: Platform Controls

The method for summoning and mounting your broom varies depending on the platform you are using. In Hogwarts Legacy, the broom is kept in a specialized "Tool Wheel" rather than a standard inventory slot.

On PlayStation 5

To mount your broom, hold down the L1 button to open the tool wheel, then press the Circle button. Your character will instantly summon and mount the broom in one fluid motion.

On Xbox Series X|S

Hold the LB button to bring up the tool wheel, and then press the B button. Ensure you are in an open area, or the option will be grayed out.

On PC (Keyboard and Mouse)

Hold the Tab key to display your quick-access items, then press the number 3 key.

On Nintendo Switch

Hold the L button and press the A button.

Remember that you cannot mount a broom while indoors, while in combat, or while in specific "no-fly zones" like the interior of Hogsmeade village.

Mastering the Flight Controls

Once you are airborne, the control scheme changes significantly from ground-based movement. Understanding the dual-axis control system is essential for navigating tight spaces or winning races.

Basic Movement and Steering

In general, the left analog stick (or WASD keys) handles your horizontal movement. Pushing forward moves the broom in the direction the character is facing, while left and right steer the broom's trajectory.

However, altitude is usually mapped to the right analog stick (or specific keys on PC). Pushing the right stick up will cause you to descend, and pulling it down will cause you to ascend. This "inverted" feel is standard for flight simulators, though you can adjust these settings in the game's options menu if it feels unintuitive.

Speed and Boosting

There are three levels of speed when flying:

  1. Normal Flight: Moving the left stick forward without any additional inputs. This is best for taking in the scenery.
  2. Flight Speed: Holding the R2 (PS5), RT (Xbox), or Shift (PC) button. This increases your base travel speed significantly without consuming any stamina. This is your primary mode for traveling between distant points on the map.
  3. Turbo Boost: Pressing the L2 (PS5), LT (Xbox), or Left Click (PC) button. This provides a massive burst of speed.

The Stamina Meter

When you are using the Turbo Boost, you will notice a yellow meter in the bottom right corner of the screen. This meter depletes as long as you are boosting at high altitudes. If you fly close to the ground (typically within 20-30 feet), the meter will stop depleting and even start to recharge, allowing for infinite boosting. This mechanic encourages "low-altitude" flying, which makes the sense of speed feel even more visceral as you zip past trees and rocks.

Why Can't I Use My Broom?

You will occasionally encounter situations where your character refuses to mount the broom, or you are forced to dismount. The game uses a specific icon to notify you of these restrictions. Look at your mini-map in the bottom left corner; if you see a red icon of a bird (a Hippogriff) with a line through it, you are in a No-Fly Zone.

Common restricted areas include:

  • The Interior of Hogwarts Castle: You can fly around the exterior and land on certain balconies, but you cannot fly through the Great Hall or the Grand Staircase.
  • Hogsmeade Village: To maintain the atmosphere of the shopping district, the game prevents flying over the village. There is an invisible barrier around the perimeter.
  • Dungeons and Caves: Any indoor quest-specific location or monster den will restrict flight to ensure you engage with the environmental puzzles and combat as intended.

If you are in an open field and still cannot fly, check if you are currently in a combat state. If enemies are actively targeting you with spells or projectiles, the broom mount option is disabled until you either defeat them or move far enough away to lose their aggro.

Upgrading Your Broom Performance

While the initial brooms are all identical in performance, you can significantly improve their speed and handling through upgrades. This process is handled by Albie Weekes back at Spinwitches in Hogsmeade, but it requires you to complete a series of challenges.

The Flight Tests

After you buy your first broom, Albie will mention that he is working on some enhancements but needs flight data. This triggers the "Flight Test" side quest. You will be sent to the Quidditch Pitch to meet Iselda Reyes, a competitive student who has set up a time trial course.

To complete the test, you must fly through a series of rings in the fastest time possible. Hitting the large yellow bubbles between the rings will give you a temporary speed boost and replenish your stamina meter. Beating Iselda’s time will allow you to return to Albie, who will eventually notify you (via Owl Post) that the first upgrade is ready.

Upgrade Costs and Benefits

There are three upgrades in total:

  1. Level 1 Upgrade: Costs 1,000 Gold. Improves the broom’s acceleration and top speed.
  2. Level 2 Upgrade: Costs 4,000 Gold. Further increases speed and improves the height at which you can boost without depleting stamina.
  3. Level 3 Upgrade: Costs 7,500 Gold. Maximizes speed and handling, making the broom feel incredibly responsive even at high altitudes.

Each upgrade requires you to beat a progressively more difficult time trial set by Iselda in different regions of the map (The South Sea Bog and the Coastal Mine area).

Advanced Tips for Efficient Flight

  • Balloon Popping: As you fly around the world, you will see sets of five colorful balloons floating in the sky. Popping these by flying through them counts toward your Exploration Challenges. Completing these challenges unlocks unique broom appearances that cannot be bought in shops.
  • Dismounting Safely: To dismount, press the Circle (PS5), B (Xbox), or B key (PC). If you are close to the ground, your character will land gracefully. If you are high up, they will perform a quick descent before landing. You can also use the "B" key on PC to drop down quickly.
  • The Map Shortcut: While on your broom, you can still open your map to set waypoints. However, a more immersive way to navigate is to use the "Revelio" spell while flying. This will highlight nearby points of interest, Floo Flames, and collection chests with icons that appear directly in the world space, allowing you to steer toward them without constantly pausing the game.
  • Switching to Mounts: Later in the game, you will unlock flying mounts like the Highwing (a Hippogriff) or the Graphorn (ground-based). While mounts are majestic and don't require stamina for high-altitude boosting, the broom remains the superior choice for most players because it can be summoned and dismissed much faster and is easier to maneuver in tight spaces.

Customizing Your Flight Experience

Beyond the functional upgrades, the visual variety of brooms is one of the game's most enjoyable collection aspects. Aside from the five brooms sold at Spinwitches, you can find "Wandering Vendors" in the Highlands who sell rare, high-priced brooms with unique designs, such as the Sky Scythe or the Silver Arrow. These vendors often appear in small hamlets like Aranshire or Upper Hogsfield.

Additionally, some brooms are rewards for specific side quests or for finding all the landing platforms scattered across the world. While a new broom won't make you fly faster than your upgraded starter broom, having a collection allows you to match your gear to your character's personality or house colors.

Mastering the broom in Hogwarts Legacy changes the pace of the game. It turns the journey between quests from a chore into a highlight. By following the questline to the flying class, investing in those early upgrades, and learning the nuances of the stamina meter, you’ll be able to explore every corner of the wizarding world with ease.