How to Quantum Travel in Star Citizen

TL;DR: Press B in your pilot seat to switch your Master Mode to NAV, then middle-click to cycle your Operating Mode to QT. Set a route on the Starmap (or point at a nearby marker), let the drive auto-calibrate, then left-click to jump. That's the whole loop. The sections below explain each step in detail and cover the Starmap, fuel, troubleshooting, and what to do when you get pulled out of QT mid-jump.

Last updated: July 2026 — Accurate for Star Citizen Alpha 4.x (current: Alpha 4.9) including the Stanton and Pyro systems.

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Before You Can Quantum Travel

Quantum travel isn't available the moment you log in — a few conditions have to be true first. Make sure you have all of these sorted before you try to jump:

• You are in a ship. Quantum travel is a ship function. You cannot QT on foot or in a ground vehicle.
• You are in the pilot seat. Only the pilot controls quantum travel. If you are a passenger or in a gunner seat, you cannot initiate a jump.
• Your quantum drive (QD) is functional. The quantum drive is a physical component in your ship. If it is damaged or destroyed, you cannot travel. Check the MobiGlas (F1) vehicle section or look at your ship's component health in the VehicleHUD.
• You have quantum fuel. QT consumes quantum fuel (a separate tank from hydrogen fuel). If you are out of QT fuel, you cannot jump. Refuel at any Cry-Astro service station or major landing zone.
• You are not inside a no-QT zone. Landing zones, hangars, and certain proximity areas around stations prevent quantum travel. You need to fly clear of these areas first — typically just a few kilometers away from the pad.

Pro tip for faster calibration: Your ship's power triangle affects calibration time. Turning off shields and weapons redirects power to engines and systems — this calibrates your quantum drive faster. Open the power management panel (check your in-game keybindings under Options → Flight) and push power toward Engines to calibrate as quickly as possible.

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Step-by-Step: Basic Quantum Travel

This is the core quantum travel loop you will use every single session. Once you have done it a few times it becomes muscle memory.

1. Get airborne and clear the no-QT zone. Take off normally and fly away from the landing zone, station, or planet surface. You need a few kilometers of clear space before quantum travel becomes available. Your HUD will show a warning if you are still inside a restricted area.
2. Press B to switch to NAV mode. A single press of B — not a hold — sets your ship's Master Mode to NAV. Nearby quantum travel destination markers appear in space as purple diamond icons. These markers float in 3D space around you — rotate your view to see them all.
3. Middle-click to cycle into QT mode, then aim at a destination marker. Click your Middle Mouse Button to cycle your Operating Mode to QT. Aim your crosshair (or your ship's nose) at the QT marker for your chosen destination — or use a route set on the Starmap. The marker highlights and your HUD shows the destination name and estimated travel time.
4. Let the drive auto-calibrate. With the destination marker targeted, the quantum drive calibrates automatically — no button hold required. Watch the circular calibration indicator on your HUD fill from 0% to 100%. This typically takes 5–15 seconds depending on your ship, its quantum drive component, and your current power settings.
5. Left-click to jump. Once calibration is complete, your HUD will display a "QUANTUM READY" prompt. At this point, click your Left Mouse Button to initiate the jump. Your ship will shoot forward into the iconic blue quantum tunnel effect and travel toward your destination at incredible speed.
6. Arrive at your destination. The jump ends automatically as your ship decelerates near the destination. For planetside destinations you arrive about 30 kilometers above or near the surface location — a planet, moon, station, or jump point. From there, fly normally to your final stop.

Key summary: Press B for NAV mode → middle-click for QT mode → aim at marker → let it calibrate → left-click to jump. That is the complete loop.

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Using the Starmap

The quick NAV/QT method above works perfectly for nearby destinations that show up as markers in space. But when you need to travel to a far destination, plot a multi-hop route, or navigate across the Stanton system (or into Pyro), you will want the full Starmap.

Opening the Starmap

Press F2 (default binding) while in the pilot seat to open the Starmap overlay. This pulls up a 3D map of the current star system showing all planets, moons, stations, jump points, and points of interest. You can pan, rotate, and zoom using your mouse.

Plotting a Route

1. Open the Starmap with F2.
2. Find your destination by navigating the map or using the search field. Click on any location — a planet, moon, station, or outpost — to select it.
3. Click "Route to this Location" in the panel that appears. For destinations requiring multiple hops, the Starmap will automatically plot a multi-step route.
4. Close the Starmap with F2 again (or press Escape).
5. Your first waypoint will now appear as a QT marker in space. Switch to QT mode and let the drive calibrate for each hop as normal. When you arrive at the first waypoint, the Starmap will automatically cue up the next leg of the route.

Traveling to Pyro (Alpha 4.x)

In Alpha 4.x, the Pyro system is accessible from Stanton via jump points. To travel to Pyro:

1. Open the Starmap and find the Pyro Jump Point — it appears as a distinct icon near the outer edge of the Stanton system.
2. Set it as your destination and travel there via normal quantum travel hops.
3. When you arrive at the jump point, a unique jump sequence initiates, carrying you into the Pyro system.

Note: Pyro is a lawless system with significantly more danger. Make sure your ship is fueled, armed, and in good repair before making the trip.

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Quantum Travel Tips

Speed Up Your Calibration Time

Quantum drive calibration is the main delay between deciding to jump and actually jumping. You can cut it down significantly:

• Redirect power to engines. Open your power management controls (check your keybindings in Options → Flight, or use the in-cockpit panel) and push the power triangle toward Engines/Systems. This gives more power to the quantum drive and reduces calibration time.
• Turn off shields and weapons. You do not need these during a jump. The freed-up power goes directly to your QD.
• Upgrade your quantum drive. A better quality quantum drive component calibrates faster, holds more QT fuel, and in some cases allows longer range jumps. Check ship component vendors at major stations.

Managing Quantum Fuel

• Quantum fuel is separate from hydrogen fuel (which powers your thrusters and guns). Keep an eye on the QT fuel gauge on your HUD.
• Refuel at Cry-Astro service stations — look for the orange Cry-Astro branding at major stations and orbiting locations throughout Stanton. Refueling is cheap and fast.
• You can also refuel at major landing zones (Area18, Lorville, New Babbage, Orison) at the refueling terminals or by landing and requesting service.

Safe Zone Restrictions

• You cannot initiate quantum travel inside Armistice zones (certain landing areas) or in close proximity to large structures. Fly out to open space first.
• Your HUD will display a "Quantum Drive Disabled" or "Restricted Area" warning when quantum travel is unavailable. Simply fly further out until the restriction clears.
• Planet atmospheres also block quantum travel. You must be in space, clear of the upper atmosphere, before a QT jump is possible.

Travel Times

• Short hops within the same planetary body's orbit take 30 seconds to a few minutes.
• Cross-system travel within Stanton (e.g., Crusader to microTech) takes several minutes.
• Long-range destinations and multi-hop routes can take 10–20+ minutes of total travel time.
• You can leave your ship on autopilot during a quantum jump — step away and come back when you arrive.

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Troubleshooting Common Quantum Travel Problems

Quantum Drive Won't Calibrate

• Check that you are in the pilot seat. Passengers and gunners cannot initiate QT.
• Check your Operating Mode. You need to be in NAV mode (press B) and QT mode (middle-click) before the drive will calibrate.
• Check for a Restricted Area message. Fly further away from the nearest structure, planet surface, or landing zone.
• Check your quantum drive component. If it is damaged (orange or red in the vehicle HUD), it may be too damaged to function. Find a repair shop or use a ship repair terminal.
• Check your QT fuel level. An empty QT tank prevents calibration. Refuel at a Cry-Astro or landing zone.

No QT Markers Appear in NAV Mode

• You may be too close to a planet or station — the markers are suppressed in restricted zones. Fly further out.
• Your quantum drive may not be powered. Open the ship's systems panel and verify the QD component is online.
• Check your keybindings in the Options menu to confirm B is still mapped to "Switch to NAV Mode", not the older "Hold Quantum Travel" bind.

Quantum Jump Gets Interrupted Mid-Travel

If your jump is interrupted, one of two things happened:

• You took significant damage to the quantum drive during the jump (rare but possible from environmental hazards). Inspect your ship's component health and repair if needed.
• You were quantum interdicted. See the "Quantum Interdiction" section below — this is a player or NPC attack specifically designed to pull ships out of QT.

Arrived at the Wrong Location

• Double-check your locked destination before jumping. The destination name appears in your HUD when you lock on — read it carefully before clicking to jump.
• Some markers have similar-sounding names (e.g., multiple stations near the same planet). Use the Starmap for precision navigation.

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Quantum Interdiction

Quantum interdiction is when a player or NPC uses the RSI Mantis or another interdiction-capable ship to forcibly pull you out of quantum travel. It is the Star Citizen equivalent of being yanked out of warp — you drop into normal space, usually right next to the ship that interdicted you.

What Interdiction Looks Like

• You will see a visual distortion and hear an audio cue indicating your QT is being disrupted.
• Your ship drops out of the quantum tunnel into normal space.
• A hostile ship (or NPC pirate) will typically be very close by, ready to engage.

What to Do When Interdicted

1. Do not panic. You are in normal space. All your ship systems still work.
2. Assess the threat. Is it an NPC pirate or a player? Check your contacts panel.
3. Option 1 — Fight back. If your ship is combat-capable, engage the attacker. Destroying or disabling the interdicting ship will let you re-calibrate and continue.
4. Option 2 — Flee. Boost away from the interdicting ship at maximum thrust. Once you are far enough from the interdiction field, you can calibrate your QD again and escape. Putting distance between you and the attacker weakens the interdiction field.
5. Option 3 — Comply (if necessary). In some situations, compliance is the only viable option. NPC pirates may demand a fee or cargo. Player pirates vary.
6. Re-calibrate when clear. Once the interdiction field is no longer active (the attacker is destroyed or you have flown out of range), switch to QT mode and select a new destination to escape.

Prevention tip: Interdiction is most common along well-traveled routes and near known pirate zones (especially in Pyro). If you are carrying valuable cargo, consider scouting your route on the Starmap and choosing less-traveled waypoints where possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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