How Map-to-Map Transitions Work (Beware of the Transition Trap!)

The new wipe in Escape from Tarkov (EFT) has introduced a new trap for players. The way transit points work isn't straightforward and hasn't been properly explained. Let's see how they function and the issues they can cause for first-time users.

In Patch 0.15, "Marathon Mode" was introduced, allowing players to move from one map to another. Now, with Patch 0.15.2.0, you can transition between maps during any raid without activating Marathon Mode (which is no longer available).

However, the exact mechanics of these transit points haven't been clearly explained, leading to confusion among many players.

For example, a Reddit user recently posted a screenshot asking why all his extraction points were red, thus unavailable, making it impossible for him to extract from the map he was on (like in the screenshot above).

What Happened?

How the transit point works

1. Activation Prompt: When you enter the area where a transit point can be activated, an "Interact" prompt appears on your screen.

   
   

   

   
   

2. Starting the Transition: Press and hold the interaction key a few seconds (default is F) to initiate the transition phase.

   
   

3. Item Delivery Interface: An interface appears, allowing you to transfer items (both FIR and non FIR items) to your stash. You'll need to pay a fee that depends on the number of items you transfer. This is similar to interacting with the BTR on the Woods or Streets of Tarkov maps.
   

   As with the BTR, the number of items you can send to your Hideout during map-to-map transit in Escape from Tarkov is not fixed — it depends on your Scav Karma (Fence Reputation) level:
   

   • -0.99 to 0.99: 3x4 slots

   • 1.00 to 1.99: 4x4 slots

   • 2.00 to 2.99: 4x4 slots

   • 3.00 to 3.99: 4x5 slots

   • 4.00 to 4.99: 4x5 slots

   • 5.00 to 5.99: 5x5 slots

   • 6.00 and above: 5x5 slots

   
   

   IMPORTANT: if you cancel this action, you can't go back to it in any way. The transit countdown starts immediately. Even if you leave the transit area and get back in it, you won't get the item transfer interface again.
   

   

   
   

4. Countdown Begins: After clicking "Deliver" to transfer items (or "Cancel", or pressing ESC, if you choose not to transfer anything), a 30-second countdown starts. At the end of the countdown, you're moved to the next map. If you move away from the transit area before the countdown finishes, the transit is aborted — but you’ll still be bound to use a transit to exit the map. Regular extractions will no longer be available. However, you can still use other transits, if any are available on the map you’re in. If you return to the transition area — whether the same or a different transit — the countdown restarts from 30 seconds.
   

   

   
   

5. Transition to the other map: After the usual queuing and loading screens, you will spawn in.

   
   

Note: If you had any blacked limbs before transitioning, they will be restored to their full health pool. This applies even if you had already used a surgical kit to fix them. You will still need to heal the limb afterward.

This is because surgical kits only restore limbs partially, with a reduced maximum HP. After transitioning, the limb's maximum HP is fully restored, but any missing health must still be manually healed.

Consequences of interacting with the transit point

• No Return: Once the countdown has started, you can't go back to the item delivery screen, even if you leave the transit area and go back in.

• Extraction Points Unavailable: You can leave the transit area to continue exploring, looting, or fighting on your current map. However, all extraction points become unavailable, so you can't exit the raid through them. You can only transit to another map.

• Other Transit Points Remain Active: If the map has multiple transit points to different maps, you can still use the other transit points to go to those maps.

• Restarting the Countdown: Returning to the transit area will start a new 30-second countdown, after which you'll transition to the next map.

The "Trap"

UPDATE: With Patch 0.16.6.0, released on April 24, 2025, the interaction mechanic for transit zones has changed. Instead of a simple click, you now need to press and hold the interaction key, making it harder to activate the transit by mistake, but it still possible. You know that when something can go wrong, it will (especially in Tarkov!).

The trap arises when players accidentally interact with the transit point, which is what happened to the Reddit user I mentioned earlier.

Once you do this, there's no way to reverse it, all extraction points become unavailable and the only options left are to either transit to the next map from the transit point you interacted with, or to transit to another map via a different transit point, in case the map you are in has more than one available.

This is particularly risky on maps like Shoreline, where the transit point area for Lighthouse partially overlaps with the extraction point called "Path to Lighthouse." While it might seem logical for these areas to overlap, it can cause confusion and unintended interactions with the transit. UPDATE: With Patch 0.16.6.0, released on April 24, 2025, the interaction mechanic for transit zones has changed. Instead of a simple click, you now need to press and hold the interaction key, making it harder to activate the transit by mistake.

The Moral of the Story

While I hope that BSG will change how the interaction with transit points works—allowing us to abort a transit to avoid mistakes and modify the items we've selected to transfer to our stash—for now, be cautious about what you interact with in the game.

Happy exploring, and safe transitions to all!

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