How to Fast Travel in RDR2

In the sprawling, breathtaking, and often unforgiving world of Red Dead Redemption 2, traversing vast distances can be both a joy and a time sink. While riding your trusty steed across picturesque landscapes is part of the game's charm, sometimes you just need to get from Valentine to Saint Denis in a hurry. So, how do you fast travel in RDR2 without spending an eternity in the saddle?

This ultimate guide will break down every fast travel method available to you, from early-game options to essential upgrades, ensuring you spend less time commuting and more time experiencing the Wild West.

Unlocking Fast Travel: Your Camp Map

The most convenient and, eventually, free method of fast travel in Red Dead Redemption 2 is directly from your gang's camp. However, this isn't available from the outset; you'll need to earn it through a couple of key camp upgrades.

How to Upgrade Your Camp for Fast Travel

To unlock the camp fast travel map, you must first progress a bit into the story and invest in your gang's lodgings.

1. Complete "Money Lending and Other Sins": This mission, given by Leopold Strauss, becomes available in Chapter 2 after you've completed the first five main missions. Handing in your first debt will introduce you to the camp's Ledger.
2. Access the Ledger: The Ledger is located next to the donation box by Dutch's tent in your camp.
3. Upgrade Dutch's Lodgings: On page six of the Ledger, under the "Lodging" section, you'll find an upgrade for Dutch's tent called "First Things First." This costs $220. While it might seem counterintuitive to spend money on Dutch's comfort, this upgrade is a prerequisite for unlocking your own fast travel options. It also encourages other gang members to contribute more to the camp.
4. Upgrade Arthur's Lodgings (Unlock Map): Once Dutch's lodgings are upgraded, a new option will appear in the Ledger called "Next in Line" or "Arthur's Wagon." This upgrade, costing around $325, will add a fast travel map to the back of Arthur's wagon. The total cost for both upgrades is approximately $545.

Using the Camp Map for Fast Travel

Once purchased, head to Arthur's tent in camp and look for the map hanging on the back of his wagon. Interact with it, and you'll be able to select any major city or point of interest you've previously discovered on the map. Your horse will even magically appear with you at your destination!

Important Note: Fast travel from your camp is typically one-way. You can travel from your camp to a discovered location, but you cannot directly fast travel back to your main camp from the wilderness using this method.

The Stagecoach: A Reliable Ride

Before you even unlock the camp fast travel, or if you're out in the wilderness and need a quick ride, the stagecoach is your go-to public transport option.

Locating Stagecoach Stations

Stagecoach stations are marked by a signpost icon on your map and are typically found in most towns, ranches, and other named locations. You'll likely encounter your first one in Valentine.

How to Use the Stagecoach

To use a stagecoach, simply approach the signpost icon on foot. If you're on your horse, it might appear unavailable. Interact with the sign, and you'll be presented with a list of destinations you've previously visited. Select your desired location and pay the fee.

• Cost: Stagecoach rides cost money, with prices ranging from $2 to $20 depending on the distance.
• Limitations: You cannot use stagecoaches if you have an active bounty on your head. You'll need to pay it off at a Post Office first.

The Train: Scenic and Swift

Another public transport option, often more convenient and sometimes cheaper than the stagecoach, is the train.

Finding Train Stations

Train stations are usually found in larger settlements and are indicated by an envelope icon on your map, often doubling as Post Offices.

Boarding a Train

Walk into the station and speak to the clerk at the counter to purchase a ticket.

• Cost: Train tickets are generally cheaper than stagecoach rides, costing between $3 and $10, depending on the distance.
• Availability: Unlike stagecoaches, you can typically take the train to any destination on the list from the start of Chapter 2, even if you have a bounty. Your horse will also appear with you at your destination.

Wilderness Camp Fast Travel: On-Demand Teleportation

This is arguably the most powerful fast travel method, allowing you to fast travel from almost anywhere in the game world, provided you've unlocked the camp map upgrade.

After you've purchased the "Arthur's Wagon" upgrade from the Ledger, the ability to fast travel from a wilderness camp becomes available.

Setting Up a Wilderness Camp

1. Open your Item Wheel: While out in the wilderness (away from towns or active missions), open your item wheel (hold L1/LB).
2. Select "Wilderness Camp": Navigate to the "Kit" section and select the "Wilderness Camp" option.
3. Place Your Camp: Find a suitable spot to pitch your temporary camp.
4. Interact with the Campfire: Once the camp is set up, approach the campfire and you'll see an option to "Fast Travel" alongside sleeping, crafting, and cooking.

Fast Traveling from Your Wilderness Camp

Selecting the fast travel option from your wilderness camp will bring up a map similar to the one at your main camp, allowing you to travel to any previously discovered major location. This is a game-changer for cutting down travel time in the vast open world.

Pro Tip for Red Dead Online: In Red Dead Online, to unlock wilderness camp fast travel, you'll need to reach Naturalist role level 5, then purchase the "Wilderness Camp Travel" pamphlet from Harriet and read it from your satchel. You can also save money by relocating your main camp to a desired region (costs $2) and then fast traveling to it from a wilderness camp for just $1.

The Mysterious "Return to Story Area" Option

Occasionally, if you wander too far from an active mission area, the game might offer you a "Return to Story Area" prompt. Accepting this will instantly transport you back to the relevant part of the map, effectively acting as a situational fast travel. While not something you can trigger on demand, it's a useful feature to be aware of.

Horseback Riding: The Original Fast Travel (with Efficiency Tips)

Even with all the fast travel options, you'll still spend a significant amount of time on horseback. Here's how to make those journeys more efficient:

• Set a Waypoint: Open your map, place a waypoint, and your horse will generally follow the roads to that destination.
• Cinematic Camera Auto-Ride: While riding your horse, set a waypoint, then engage the cinematic camera (hold the touchpad on PS4, or the view button on Xbox One). If you start galloping (by tapping/holding the sprint button) and then release it while in cinematic mode, your horse will often auto-pilot along the path to your waypoint, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery (or check your phone!). This feature does not work during missions or when riding with NPCs.
• Maintain Horse Stamina: Keep your horse's core and stamina full to ensure it can gallop for longer periods without tiring. Use horse stimulants for extended sprints.
• Bond with Your Horse: A higher bonding level with your horse grants it more health and stamina, making long journeys easier.

Conclusion

Red Dead Redemption 2's world is a masterpiece, but getting around it doesn't always have to be a long haul. By understanding and utilizing the various fast travel methods – from the essential camp map upgrade to the reliable stagecoaches and trains, and the incredibly convenient wilderness camp fast travel – you can significantly cut down on travel time. Each method has its own advantages and limitations, so choosing the right one for your situation is key to maximizing your adventure in the Wild West.

Which fast travel method do you find yourself using the most in RDR2? Share your favorite tips and tricks in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can you fast travel from anywhere in RDR2?

No, not initially. While you can use stagecoaches and trains from specific stations early in the game, the ability to fast travel from almost anywhere in the wilderness (via a wilderness camp) requires you to first unlock the camp fast travel map by upgrading Arthur's lodgings in Chapter 2.

Q2: Is fast travel free in RDR2?

The primary camp fast travel system (from Arthur's wagon) is free to use once you've paid the initial upgrade costs for Dutch's and Arthur's lodgings (totaling around $545). However, using stagecoaches and trains incurs a fee for each trip. Wilderness camp fast travel also costs money per trip, but can be very cheap (e.g., $1 to your main camp).

Q3: How early can I unlock fast travel in RDR2?

You can start working towards unlocking the camp fast travel map as early as Chapter 2. You'll need to complete the mission "Money Lending and Other Sins" for Leopold Strauss, which then grants access to the Ledger for camp upgrades. Public transport like trains and stagecoaches are available from the beginning of Chapter 2.

Q4: Does fast travel affect game progression or honor?

Using fast travel methods in RDR2 does not negatively affect your game progression or honor. It's simply a way to move across the map more quickly. However, it's worth noting that using the cinematic camera's auto-travel feature means you might miss random encounters or wildlife spotting opportunities along the way.