What’s the best way to unlock fast travel early in the game?

Unlocking fast travel early in Red Dead Redemption 2 can significantly enhance your gameplay experience by saving time and allowing you to explore the vast open world more efficiently. Fast travel is not immediately available, but it can be unlocked through camp upgrades and specific in-game actions. Here’s a detailed guide on how to unlock it as early as possible.\n\nFirst, you need to progress through the main story until you reach Chapter 2. This is when the camp upgrades become available. The camp is your central hub, and upgrading it is key to unlocking fast travel. To start, you’ll need to contribute money and resources to the camp ledger, which is managed by Dutch’s tent. The ledger allows you to purchase upgrades for the camp, including the fast travel map.\n\nTo unlock fast travel, you must first upgrade Dutch’s tent. This requires $220 and is the first major upgrade you should aim for. Once Dutch’s tent is upgraded, you can then purchase the fast travel map for an additional $325. This map will be placed near Arthur’s tent, allowing you to fast travel to major locations you’ve already discovered. Keep in mind that fast travel is only available from the camp, not to the camp, so plan your journeys accordingly.\n\nEarning the necessary funds can be a challenge early in the game. One effective way to gather money is by hunting and selling pelts. High-quality pelts from animals like deer, bears, and cougars can fetch a good price at trappers or general stores. Additionally, completing side missions and looting enemies during story missions can provide a steady income. Be sure to explore the world thoroughly, as hidden treasures and loot caches can also yield significant amounts of money.\n\nAnother tip is to prioritize upgrading Arthur’s satchel. The Legend of the East satchel, which increases your carrying capacity, can be crafted by Pearson at the camp. This allows you to carry more items, making it easier to gather and sell resources for camp upgrades. To craft this satchel, you’ll need to hunt specific animals and gather their pelts, so plan your hunting trips carefully.\n\nOnce fast travel is unlocked, use it strategically. While it’s convenient, fast travel can sometimes cause you to miss out on random encounters and world events that make Red Dead Redemption 2 so immersive. Balance fast travel with exploration to fully experience the game’s rich environment. For example, if you’re traveling to a distant location for a mission, consider riding there on horseback to encounter unique events along the way.\n\nIn summary, unlocking fast travel early in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires progressing to Chapter 2, upgrading Dutch’s tent, and purchasing the fast travel map. Focus on earning money through hunting, looting, and side missions to afford these upgrades. Prioritize crafting the Legend of the East satchel to maximize your resource-gathering efficiency. Finally, use fast travel wisely to balance convenience with the game’s immersive world.