Stalker 2: How to Fast Travel

Fast traveling in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 can considerably speed up the long journey across the dangerous Zone, saving you from numerous hazards. However, this luxury isn't free: it costs in-game currency and takes time before reaching the nearest safe place. Unlocking fast travel requires finding and interacting with certain NPCs referred to as Guides that are spread very thinly across the wasteland.

These Guides do not automatically appear and can only be found hours after players have spent the game. As if that were not enough, the significant price of fast travel is 2,000 coupons, which limit its use in the early game.

How to Fast Travel

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Here’s what you need to know about Fast Travel in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2:

Get Help From Guides

Unlock the secrets of the Zone with the help of Guides. These mysterious beings will take you from one settlement to another, thus saving you time and energy. But remember, even magic comes at a cost.

To enable fast travel, you must find a Guide NPC and tell them you are looking for a guide. This will give you a list of previously visited locations and the coupon fee for each location. You should be prepared to pay some serious coin, at least over 1,500 coupons. You then get presented with the fee when choosing your destination. From there, it's another brief loading screen before you're transported to your destination.

A good example is Uncle Lyonya, a Guide encountered in Zalissya, the settlement at the beginning of the game. To travel to it quickly, you need to explore another settlement, such as Slag Heap.

The Second NPC

You'll likely encounter the next Guide, Bonkers, in Slag Heap of the Dangerous Garbage Zone. To access this location, you will need to complete the 'Behind Seven Seals' quest and claim the Northern Checkpoint key.

While the fast travel system in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is straightforward, it has a few realistic limitations. To unlock a location as a fast travel destination, you need to visit the place in person. Fast travel can also only be initiated by physically interacting with a Guide NPC, thus curtailing the availability of fast travel to areas that are not hostile. With the Zone being very dangerous, these limitations mean fast travel opportunities are relatively scarce.

Cost of Free Travel

Fast travel will only be available if you pay for a Guide, as the cost may vary with the distance and Guide chosen. Notably, after leaving the Swamp zone, some main storyline missions cannot be bypassed via fast travel when trying to reach Zalissya or Wild Island. It's essential to work through their necessary quests before leaving.