Half the excitement of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is wandering across desolate terrain, listening to Low Roar’s moody soundtrack, and losing yourself in the isolation. But when you’ve already hiked across Mexico and back, only to realize you left a crucial package behind in a chamber three regions away, that quiet trek suddenly becomes less exciting but more of a nuisance. But thankfully, Death Stranding 2 has fast travel for quick visits in such desperate times.
You won’t have access to it right away but once it’s unlocked, you will have a few different tools at your disposal: from Fragile’s tech-powered DHV Magellan to trans-dimensional Beach Jumps and even hot spring teleportation. Each has its benefits, limits, and quirks. This guide explains everything about how to unlock Death Stranding 2 fast travel, how each method works, and what you can (and can’t) take with you in each quick visit.
- Read more: Death Stranding 2: All Episodes and Orders
How to Unlock the Fast Travel in Death Stranding 2
You won’t have access to fast travel (only a Sam running or driving vehicles) right off the bat in Death Stranding 2. The fast travel unlocks only after you complete Mission 12 in Episode 3, when you connect West Fort Knot (F1) to the Chiral Network and defeat the BT.
After going through all cutscenes when you go back to your Private Room, you will be informed that the DHV Magellan, Drawbridge’s floating base vehicle, can now be used to travel to areas you’ve previously visited in Mexico or Australia. You’ll hear about it before then if you poke around the Magellan or interact with Fragile and the Drawbridge crew. But you won’t get full access to all its abilities until this key mission is completed.
Fast Travel #1: The DHV Magellan (Drawbridge’s Flagship)
Once unlocked, this massive transport vessel becomes your main source to get around quickly with cargo, vehicles, and companions intact. That’s the best part of using DHV Magellan, you can move everything along with Sam.
To use the Magellan:
- Board the vehicle from a base or any connected port.
- Open the map and hold X to activate the “Chart Course” interface. To change between Mexico and Australia, use L1 and R1 to change the region.
- Select any previously visited location using the blue ship icon and choose “Embark“.
- The Magellan will sail (or rather, “tar drift”) to that location with everything inside it.
There are some caveats, though. If you’re aiming for the highest delivery ratings, be warned that using the Magellan will lower your score, as the system factors in effort and travel source. Further, there are parts of the game (mainly in story-locked missions) where the Magellan is unavailable, either grounded or docked in specific locations.
One good thing is that you can send the Magellan without being onboard. If you’ve anything in the ship’s private locker, or want to relocate your mobile base, simply chart the route and it’ll show up where you need it.
Fast Travel #2: Beach Jump via Transponders
The Beach Jump system is a more story-rich, tech-based fast travel tool that unlocks after you reach Mission 23, once you visit Heartman’s Lab. From there, you unlock a new gadget for the PCC called the Transponder. It lets you tap into the Chiral Network and teleport between any previously activated Transponders. However, you can’t take cargo with you during a Beach Jump. Everything you’re carrying gets stored in the transponder’s built-in Private Locker, so while this is handy for scouting or speed, it’s not good for deliveries.
To use Beach Jump:
- Visit any Transponder location.
- Interact with it and select a known destination.
- You’ll instantly warp to the new point.
You can also build your own Transponders using a PCC Level 2, giving you more control over your network. Once established, these work like “teleport anchors” across the map.
Fast Travel #3: Hot Spring Jumps
You’ll first encounter it during Order 26, when you access the Motherhood settlement. Just outside that area is a hot spring where you can take a dip, and if you choose “Put a Bucket on Your Head,” Sam will get teleported to another hot spring location. This unlocks a short quest which involves building additional hot springs.
Once you help with a request to construct one near the Dowser and report back to Heartman, you’ll be able to use your PCC device to locate underground water veins and create more hot springs. Each spring also provides temporary buffs like stamina regen or BT resistance, depending on the type. Hot Spring Jumps don’t allow cargo transport, so don’t plan on hauling anything useful this way.
- Read more: How to Soothe Lou in Death Stranding 2
Which Fast Travel Option is Best?
Each fast travel method in Death Stranding 2 serves a different purpose:
- DHV Magellan: Best to haul cargo, long-distance moves, or reset your base of operations, but you take a delivery score hit.
- Beach Jumps (Transponders): Best for quick scouting, getting to mission-critical zones, or connecting parts of the map, but no cargo is allowed.
- Hot Spring Jumps: Great for fast traversal with extra flair, but limited practicality.
The best method depends on your needs at the moment. Want to deliver five containers of anti-BT meds across the Outback? Choose Magellan. Just need to reach a new mission point quickly, and you’re unburdened? Beach Jump will be viable here. Want to chill mid-game while collecting data and soaking in a weird tale? Use bucket-head teleportation.
