What are the best ways 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 with a few strategic steps, you can unlock it relatively early in the game. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it.\n\nFirst, you need to progress through the main story until you reach Chapter 2. This is when the game opens up, and you gain access to the camp upgrade system. Fast travel is tied to camp upgrades, specifically the upgrade for Arthur’s lodging. To unlock fast travel, you must upgrade Dutch’s tent first, followed by Arthur’s. This requires a significant amount of money and resources, so it’s essential to plan accordingly.\n\nTo begin, focus on earning money. You can do this by completing story missions, hunting, and looting enemies. Hunting is particularly profitable if you sell pelts and animal parts to the Trapper or Butcher. Additionally, robbing stagecoaches and trains can yield substantial cash, but be cautious of the law. Once you have enough money, return to camp and interact with the ledger near Dutch’s tent. This ledger allows you to purchase camp upgrades.\n\nStart by upgrading Dutch’s tent. This is a prerequisite for upgrading Arthur’s lodging. Dutch’s tent upgrade costs $220, and it improves the overall morale and functionality of the camp. After upgrading Dutch’s tent, you can then upgrade Arthur’s lodging for $325. This upgrade unlocks the fast travel map, which is located near Arthur’s cot. The fast travel map allows you to travel to any previously discovered location instantly.\n\nHowever, fast travel in Red Dead Redemption 2 is not as straightforward as in other games. You can only fast travel from the camp, and it’s limited to major towns and landmarks. This means you’ll still need to ride to some locations manually. To maximize the benefits of fast travel, make sure to explore and unlock as many locations as possible early in the game. This includes visiting towns like Valentine, Rhodes, and Saint Denis, as well as key landmarks such as the Emerald Ranch and the Grizzlies.\n\nOne common challenge players face is accumulating enough money for the upgrades. To overcome this, focus on completing side activities like treasure hunts, which can yield large sums of money. For example, the Jack Hall Gang treasure map, found early in the game, can net you over $1,000 if you follow the clues correctly. Additionally, selling valuable items like gold bars found in the world can provide a quick cash boost.\n\nAnother tip is to manage your camp’s resources efficiently. Donating money and items to the camp’s funds can unlock additional upgrades and improve the overall experience. However, prioritize the upgrades that directly benefit you, such as Arthur’s lodging, before investing in other camp improvements.\n\nIn summary, unlocking fast travel early in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires progressing to Chapter 2, earning enough money, and upgrading Dutch’s tent and Arthur’s lodging. Focus on profitable activities like hunting, treasure hunts, and looting to gather the necessary funds. Once unlocked, fast travel will save you time and make exploring the game’s vast world much more manageable. Remember to explore and unlock as many locations as possible to maximize the benefits of fast travel.