Minecraft wiki entry for Elevators, associated text: This page deals with contraptions; however, it is worth noting that recent game versions offer considerable competition from basic blocks and plants: Ladders can be placed along the side of a column; regular, crimson, or twisted vines can be seeded on the side, bottom, or top of a block and grow from there. Underwater or underground, bubble columns provide an even faster option. (They do require a column of source blocks, but planting kelp can turn falling water into water sources easily.) A simple fall can be cushioned by water, slime blocks, or a brush with honey blocks.