How to Unlock and Use Fast Travel in Death Stranding 2 (July 2025 Guide)

While traversing the post-apocalyptic landscapes of Mexico and Australia on foot is central to Death Stranding 2: On the Beach's experience, sometimes you just need to get somewhere fast. I've spent countless hours navigating both continents, and let me tell you – having fast travel unlocked makes a massive difference when you're trying to complete deliveries or return to previous locations.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about fast travel in Death Stranding 2, including how to unlock each method, when to use them, and their limitations.

Quick Overview: Three Fast Travel Methods

Death Stranding 2 features three distinct fast travel methods, each with unique benefits and restrictions:

1. DHV Magellan - Your mobile base that can teleport through tar currents (unlocks in Episode 3)
2. Transponders/Beach Jump - Instant teleportation between facilities (unlocks in Episode 7)
3. Hot Springs - Secret fast travel method between hot spring locations (unlocks after finding The Motherhood)

Unlike the first game, you can actually transport cargo using the DHV Magellan, making it incredibly useful for timed deliveries or fragile cargo. However, each method comes with trade-offs that reinforce Kojima's vision of meaningful traversal.

How to Unlock Fast Travel with the DHV Magellan?

The DHV Magellan becomes your primary fast travel hub after completing a crucial story mission. Here's exactly how to unlock it:

When It Unlocks

Fast travel via the DHV Magellan unlocks after completing Order No. 12: Investigate Unusual Tar Currents Near F1in Episode 3: Drawbridge. This typically takes around 10-12 hours of gameplay, depending on how much time you spend exploring Mexico first.

The Unlock Process

1. Progress through the story until you reach West Fort Knot (F1) in Australia
2. Defeat the massive mechanical BT boss (an octopus-like mech) outside the facility
3. Connect West Fort Knot to the Chiral Network
4. Exit the facility to trigger a cutscene with Fragile
5. After returning to your Private Room, Tarman will call you via intercom to explain the new fast travel system

The game makes it impossible to miss this unlock – you'll receive a tutorial notification explaining how to use the DHV Magellan for fast travel.

How to Use DHV Magellan Fast Travel

Using the DHV Magellan for fast travel is straightforward:

1. Board the DHV Magellan (you must be inside the ship)
2. Open your map by pressing the Options/Menu button
3. Hold X to bring up the "Chart Course" menu
4. Select your destination from available tar pit locations
5. Confirm to fast travel instantly

Important: The DHV Magellan can only travel to locations that:

• You've previously visited
• Are connected to the Chiral Network
• Have tar pits (marked by ship icons on the map)

Cargo Transportation Benefits

Unlike other fast travel methods, the DHV Magellan allows you to transport:

• All cargo on your person
• Cargo stored in vehicles parked inside the ship
• All your equipment and weapons

However, any cargo transported via fast travel receives a "Magellan evaluation," which slightly reduces the number of likes you'll earn for deliveries. For S-rank completionists, this penalty might make manual delivery preferable.

Unlocking Transponders and Beach Jump

Transponders offer a more flexible fast travel option that doesn't require returning to the DHV Magellan.

When It Unlocks

Transponders become available after starting Episode 7 and require a PCC Level 2 to construct. The game will introduce this mechanic through the story, so it's impossible to miss.

How to Use Transponders

1. At Facilities: Most major facilities automatically have transponders once unlocked
   • Access the Delivery Terminal
   • Navigate to "Facility Features"
   • Select "Beach Jump"
   • Choose your destination
2. In the Field: Build your own transponders
   • Equip PCC Level 2
   • Find flat ground within the Chiral Network
   • Construct the Transponder
   • Interact to initiate Beach Jump

Limitations

Transponders have significant restrictions:

• No cargo transportation - all cargo goes to a Private Locker at your departure point
• No vehicles - only Sam teleports
• Only equipped items travel with you - weapons in rack and utility pouch items

This makes transponders ideal for quick repositioning but terrible for deliveries.

The Secret Hot Spring Fast Travel

Hot Springs offer a whimsical third fast travel option that many players miss entirely.

How to Unlock

1. Progress to Order No. 26 and reach The Motherhood
2. Find the Miracl Spring hot spring outside the settlement
3. Interact with the spring and choose to "Put a Bucket on Your Head"
4. Complete the aid request to build another hot spring
5. Report back to Heartman's Lab

Building Hot Springs

After unlocking, you can build additional hot springs:

1. Use the Hot Spring Digger (available via PCC Level 2)
2. Search for underground water veins
3. Construct the hot spring at valid locations
4. Total of 9 hot spring locations available

Using Hot Spring Travel

1. Bathe in any hot spring
2. Put the bucket on Sam's head
3. Select another hot spring as your destination
4. Enjoy the relaxing teleportation animation

Hot Springs share the same limitations as transponders – no cargo or vehicles can travel with you.

When Fast Travel Is Restricted

There are several situations where fast travel becomes temporarily unavailable:

• During specific story missions
• When completing certain Main Orders
• During tar current anomalies in the narrative
• If you have active timed deliveries in progress

The game will notify you when fast travel is restricted, so don't worry if the option suddenly disappears – just progress through the current mission.

Alternative Fast Movement Options

While not technically fast travel, these methods significantly speed up traversal:

Roads and Infrastructure

• Repaired roads prevent cargo damage and conserve battery
• Community-built structures can create efficient routes

Monorails

• Unlock in Australia for long-distance rail travel
• Connect major hubs for cargo-friendly transportation

Vehicles

• Tricruiser for rough terrain
• Pickup-Offroader for heavy cargo
• Floating Carrier for massive loads

Zip-lines

• Return from the first game
• Excellent for mountain traversal
• Can be chained for rapid movement

Tips for Efficient Fast Travel Use

After extensive playtime, here are my recommendations for using fast travel effectively:

1. For Timed Deliveries: Use the DHV Magellan despite the evaluation penalty – arriving on time matters more than perfect scores
2. For Fragile Cargo: The DHV Magellan protects cargo during transport, making it ideal for breakable items
3. For Exploration: Transponders let you quickly check facilities for new orders without the trek back
4. For Completionists: Build a network of hot springs for achievement hunting and easter egg discovery
5. Mexico Return: Once unlocked, use fast travel to easily return to Mexico and complete any unfinished business

Comparing Fast Travel to Death Stranding 1

Death Stranding 2's fast travel system is significantly more robust than the original:

• Cargo Transport: The DHV Magellan allows cargo transport (first game didn't)
• Multiple Methods: Three distinct fast travel options vs. one
• Earlier Unlock: Available around 10 hours in vs. much later in DS1
• More Locations: Broader network of fast travel points

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fast travel immediately in Death Stranding 2?

No, fast travel unlocks after completing Order No. 12 in Episode 3, typically 10-12 hours into the game. You'll need to progress through Mexico and early Australia first.

Does fast travel affect my delivery rating?

Yes, using the DHV Magellan for cargo transport applies a "Magellan evaluation" that slightly reduces your likes earned. Transponders and hot springs don't affect ratings since cargo doesn't travel with you.

Can I fast travel between Mexico and Australia?

Absolutely! Once you unlock fast travel, you can freely move between both continents using any connected tar pit locations. This makes completing Mexico content much easier later in the game.

What's the fastest way to unlock all fast travel methods?

Focus on the main story through Episode 7. The DHV Magellan unlocks naturally in Episode 3, while transponders require reaching Episode 7. Hot springs are optional but worth seeking out at The Motherhood.

Can I fast travel during boss fights or story missions?

No, the game restricts fast travel during key story moments and certain Main Orders. You'll need to complete the current objective before fast travel becomes available again.

Do other players' structures affect fast travel?

While other players can't build fast travel points for you, their roads and zip-lines can make manual travel much faster, reducing your reliance on fast travel.

Final Thoughts

Fast travel in Death Stranding 2 strikes a careful balance between convenience and maintaining the game's core traversal experience. While it's tempting to teleport everywhere once unlocked, I've found the journey often provides unexpected encounters and opportunities. The DHV Magellan serves as your primary workhorse for moving cargo quickly, while transponders and hot springs offer situational benefits for exploration and backtracking.

My advice? Use fast travel strategically rather than constantly. Save it for return trips, timed deliveries, or when you genuinely need to cover massive distances quickly. The meditative act of walking across these haunting landscapes remains Death Stranding's greatest strength – fast travel just ensures it never becomes a chore.

Ready to continue your journey? Check out our guides on how long it takes to beat Death Stranding 2 or explore all 17 episodes and orders to track your progress. If you're new to the series, don't miss our guide on whether you should play Death Stranding 1 first.