Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), developed by Rockstar Games, is widely regarded as one of the most immersive open-world games ever created. Set in the vast, sprawling American frontier of the late 1800s, the game features a highly detailed environment, rich in content and exploration. While wandering through the game’s stunning landscape can be rewarding, it can also be time-consuming. That’s where fast travel comes in handy. Knowing how to use fast travel efficiently in RDR2 is essential for players who want to save time and focus on missions or side activities. In this article, we’ll explore the different ways to fast travel, how to unlock fast travel options, and some tips on how to maximize their use.
What is Fast Travel in RDR2?
Fast travel is a gameplay feature that allows players to move quickly from one location to another without having to ride a horse or walk the entire distance. In a game as expansive as RDR2, which includes cities, towns, and miles of wilderness, fast travel can significantly cut down on time spent traveling between distant points on the map.
There are three main fast travel methods in RDR2:
- Fast travel through a camp upgrade
- Stagecoaches and train stations
- Map waypoints after upgrading the camp.
Let’s dive into how each method works and how you can unlock or use them.
1. Fast Travel via Camp Upgrades
One of the primary methods of fast travel in RDR2 is through the camp upgrade system, particularly from the gang’s camp, where Arthur and the Van der Linde gang are based. This fast travel system is useful for jumping between your current location and other points you’ve visited.
How to Unlock Camp Fast Travel
To unlock the fast travel option in your camp, you’ll need to upgrade your tent, specifically Arthur’s lodging. This is done by contributing money to the camp fund and then purchasing the necessary upgrades. Here’s how you can do it:
- Contribute to the Camp Fund: To upgrade the camp, you need to contribute money by either donating cash or valuables like jewelry. This helps maintain the camp’s finances.
- Purchase Dutch’s Lodging Upgrade: The first upgrade you’ll need to buy is for Dutch’s tent. This costs $220. Upgrading Dutch’s tent boosts the morale of the gang and opens up further upgrades.
- Upgrade Arthur’s Lodging (Fast Travel Map): After upgrading Dutch’s tent, you’ll unlock the ability to upgrade Arthur’s personal lodging. This upgrade costs $325, and after purchasing it, you’ll receive a fast travel map located at Arthur’s tent. With this map, you can fast travel to locations you’ve already discovered on the game’s map, such as towns and cities like Valentine, Saint Denis, Rhodes, and more.
Using the Fast Travel Map
Once you’ve upgraded Arthur’s lodging, the fast travel map becomes available. To use it:
- Approach the fast travel map located at Arthur’s tent.
- Interact with the map to bring up a list of available locations.
- Select your desired destination, and you’ll be instantly transported there.
One limitation of this system is that fast travel from the camp is one-way only. You can fast travel from the camp to any unlocked location, but you cannot fast travel back to the camp using the map.
2. Stagecoaches and Trains
In Red Dead Redemption 2, the game’s world is populated with NPC-driven modes of transport such as stagecoaches and trains, which act as an early form of fast travel. These transportation services can be found in towns and cities and offer a convenient way to quickly travel between various hubs without having to ride your horse the entire distance.
How to Use Stagecoaches
Stagecoaches are essentially horse-drawn carriages that travel between major locations in the game. They’re easy to find at Stagecoach Stations, which are typically marked on your map with a small wagon icon.
- Where to Find Stagecoaches: Stagecoaches are located in towns and larger settlements, including places like Valentine, Rhodes, Saint Denis, and Annesburg. Simply look for the Stagecoach Station icon on the map, approach the driver, and interact to see the available destinations.
- Using the Service: When you interact with a stagecoach driver, you’ll be presented with a list of destinations you can fast travel to. Simply select your desired destination, pay the fee (which varies depending on the distance), and you’ll be transported to that location.
How to Use Trains for Fast Travel
Trains provide a similar fast travel service to stagecoaches but allow you to experience the journey with a more scenic view. Using a train to fast travel is straightforward:
- Where to Find Trains: Trains are available at train stations scattered across the map. You can find train stations in places like Valentine, Annesburg, and Saint Denis, among others.
- Buy a Ticket: To use a train, head to the ticket booth at the station and buy a ticket. The price will depend on how far you’re traveling.
- Train Routes: Once you buy a ticket, the train will depart for your selected destination. Trains typically take slightly longer than stagecoaches but provide an immersive experience with views of the landscape.
One advantage of trains and stagecoaches over the camp fast travel map is that they offer a two-way travel option. You can fast travel to and from towns using these services, giving you more flexibility when planning your journey.
3. Map Waypoints and Other Travel Methods
While the camp map and transportation services like stagecoaches and trains are the main fast travel methods in RDR2, players can also take advantage of the game’s various waypoint and auto-ride features to streamline their travel time.
Horse Riding with Cinematic Mode
If you don’t want to manually steer your horse across the map, you can make use of the game’s Cinematic Mode to let your horse follow a set route automatically. Here’s how it works:
- Open the map and set a waypoint at your desired destination.
- Get on your horse and start riding in the direction of the waypoint.
- Activate Cinematic Mode by holding down the camera button (typically on the D-pad, depending on the console or PC version).
When in Cinematic Mode, your horse will follow the road to the waypoint automatically. While this isn’t as fast as instant travel, it allows you to take a break and enjoy the ride without having to control the horse the entire time.
Using Campfires to Travel Between Camps
Another lesser-known method of fast travel involves setting up camp in the wilderness. You can move between temporary camps using the campfire system. Here’s how:
- Set Up Camp: When you’re in a remote area, you can set up camp by holding the appropriate button (usually L1 on PlayStation or LB on Xbox). Setting up camp allows you to rest, craft, and fast travel between discovered locations.
- Fast Travel from the Campfire: Once the camp is set, you can use the campfire to fast travel to any discovered towns or points of interest, similar to the fast travel map in the gang’s camp.
Tips for Efficient Fast Travel in RDR2
- Unlock Locations Early: The fast travel system is only useful if you’ve discovered several locations. As you progress through the game, try to visit new towns and cities as early as possible to make them available for fast travel later on.
- Balance Fast Travel and Exploration: While fast travel can save time, much of the joy of Red Dead Redemption 2 comes from exploring its vast open world. Be selective about when you fast travel and when you take the time to ride across the landscape to enjoy dynamic events, hunting opportunities, or hidden treasures.
- Use Fast Travel to Manage Time-Sensitive Missions: If you’re on a time-sensitive mission or need to quickly complete tasks across different areas, fast travel can help you manage your schedule without losing too much time riding between locations.
Conclusion
Fast travel in Red Dead Redemption 2 offers players a convenient way to navigate the massive open world. By upgrading Arthur’s lodging in camp, using stagecoaches and trains, and taking advantage of the waypoint system, players can save valuable time and focus on the aspects of the game they enjoy most. However, balancing fast travel with exploration ensures you don’t miss out on the game’s rich details and spontaneous adventures that emerge across its beautiful landscape.
