Introduction
Extract points in Escape from Tarkov are your gateway to survival and success in each raid. Understanding exactly where and how to exit a map safely is fundamental not only to preserving your hard-earned loot but also to ensuring that every raid contributes to your overall progress. Unlike many other shooters, Tarkov punishes reckless extraction attempts with bullet wounds, ambushes, and the loss of everything you carry. Whether you spawn in the middle of Customs, deep inside the forest on Woods, or navigating the tight corridors of Factory, having a mental map of each exit and its requirements can mean the difference between a lucrative escape and a frustrating wipe. In this guide, we dive deep into extraction choices across all major Tarkov maps, explore their mechanics, weigh their risks, and offer strategic insights to help you maximize your survival odds and capitalize on every raid.
Each map in Tarkov is designed with multiple exit points, and these vary widely in terms of accessibility, quest requirements, and danger level. Some extracts are open to everyone, allowing you to run straight up and secure your escape, while others remain locked behind keys, quest completions, or even specific in-game events. Veteran players learn to use both the obvious and the obscure, sneaking to rarely used exits to avoid the firefights that occur at the more popular points. Over time, mastering extraction strategy will allow you to plan efficient routes, reduce exposure to enemy players, and ensure that your most valuable items survive each encounter.
Key Factors for Choosing Extract Points
When selecting an extraction point, consider four primary factors: ease of access, risk level, proximity to high-value loot areas, and any special requirements such as keys, quest completions, or time-of-day conditions. Ease of access refers to how quickly you can reach the extract from your typical spawn or loot runs. Exits that are close to popular loot zones may offer a fast getaway, but they also attract more traffic, increasing the chances of an ambush.
Risk level encompasses not only the likelihood of encountering other players but also environmental hazards like AI guards or Scavs. High-traffic extracts often have Scav patrols, and the noise from scavenging or gunfire near the exit can draw both AI and player attention. Conversely, less obvious exits might circumvent these hazards but often require traversing longer, more exposed routes.
Proximity to loot areas is essential. If you’re farming a certain zone for cash, weapons, or quest items, you want an extract that doesn’t force you to backtrack across the map, turning your valuable haul into a liability. Lastly, special requirements—keys, activation items, or quest progress—can provide safer exits but necessitate prior investment. Balancing these factors based on your loadout and objectives—whether you’re running light for a quick money-making loop or carrying a full kit for a boss hunt—will help you choose the optimal extraction.
Popular Extract Points on Common Maps
Customs
On Customs, the ZB-1011 extract (the bus stop in the southwest) is renowned for its ease of access and lack of requirements. Running down the railroad tracks or cutting through the small dorm complex often grants a straight shot to this point, making it a favorite for players who prioritize speed. However, its popularity means it can become a hotspot for snipers and crossfire. The Boiler Room Key extract, located just inside the boiler building southeast of the railroad tracks, offers a quieter alternative once you’ve acquired the key. It requires slipping through the back entrance of the building but often rewards you with a peaceful exit if timed correctly. Meanwhile, the Smugglers Boat extract on Shoreline provides a secondary escape for those coming from mid-warehouse areas; it requires coordinating a docking signal but is relatively safe when used sparingly.
Shoreline
Shoreline’s most-used extract is the pier on the eastern shoreline, which allows players to hop onto the docked boat and wait out the timer. It’s quick and requires no key, but the exposure along the wooden planks makes you an easy target for both Scavs and other PMCs. For players willing to invest in keys, the checkpoint gate on the north side (Gate 3) offers sheltered cover behind concrete barricades, making it a safer choice. The power station extract requires activating a generator switch and waiting for a countdown, which can be interrupted by nearby AI or enemy fire, so plan accordingly if you decide to use it as a fallback.
Factory
Factory is known for its claustrophobic corridors and relentless action. The two main extracts—Gate 3 and Gate 0—are simple doorways that open after a short countdown. If you spawn close to them, you can breeze through extraction in seconds, but expect heavy traffic, especially in the first few minutes of a raid.
For Scavs, the basement exit near the colliery provides a surprise escape for unsuspecting PMCs, though it’s only active for AI Scav runs. Since Factory raids are often over in under five minutes, quick reflexes and map awareness are critical; if an extract is compromised, retrace your steps swiftly to the alternative gate and hope no one has flanked you.
Woods
Woods features several extracts, but the Scav island exit—located on the little landmass to the north—is frequently ignored by PMCs. While technically open to all, it is designed for Scavs and requires you to navigate through dense tree cover and avoid patrols. The train wreck extract near the logging trail offers a key-based exit that can be useful for players deep in the forest. However, both routes can be muddled by nighttime raids, when visibility drops and movements become audible over shorter distances. Using night vision goggles or silencers can significantly improve your success rate when targeting these less-traveled paths.
Reserve
Reserve’s gated compound is laden with high-value loot but also teeming with AI and player resistance. The armored train extract requires a Military Key (for the door) and a Train Pass to open the hatch—once inside, you get a roof-top vantage point overlooking the map’s southwest corner. This extract is dangerous due to Scav bosses and guards patrolling the area. The eastern bunker extract, unlocked via the Corp Secure Key, is slightly more hidden; it forces you through an underground corridor but often rewards you with a stealthy exit if you time your movement between patrols.
Less-Known Extracts and Advanced Routes
Beyond the commonly used extracts lie hidden or rarely mentioned exits that can give you a tactical edge. On Interchange, the cable exit at the east end of the shopping mall requires triggering a power switch in the backroom; once powered up, you can rappel down a cable to the forest edge. It’s quiet, fast, and bypasses the main road. Lighthouse’s secret bunker extract opens when you collect two Red Keys dropped by keycard-guarding Scavs; it’s situated in the cliffside and allows you to drop off the map undetected. Similarly, on Labs, the Killa extract opens only after defeating the boss in checkpoint red; timing and coordination are key, but the reward is a clean escape from one of Tarkov’s deadliest maps.
For Wilderness Map newcomers, there’s a cut-through behind the RV park that leads directly to the gas station off-map. You won’t find it marked, but veteran players route through here to avoid heavy traffic at the main road exit. Familiarizing yourself with these advanced routes takes time and practice in offline mode, but incorporating even one into your regular raids can reduce risk dramatically and improve your loot survival rate.
High-Risk, High-Reward Extracts
Some extraction points, while risky, are valuable due to their proximity to lucrative loot areas or quick exit times. Scav Island on Woods, for instance, sits just north of the sawmill where players often farm weapons cases and Bitcoin. The exit requires no key but demands stealthy navigation through Scav patrols and sniper nests high in the trees. Similarly, Reserve’s armored train extract is years of rumor come to life—if you can secure the Military Key and avoid KIBA Security’s patrols, you’ll often escape with multiple graphics cards and thermal scopes strapped to your back.
On Customs, the railroad car extract next to the construction site opens sporadically, forcing you to time your approach with the blinking signal light. If you misread it, expect an empty train and no extraction. Yet, for those who master the timing, it’s a lightning-fast departure that bypasses the dormitories entirely. Balancing the potential windfall of these exits with their inherent danger is a matter of calculating risk versus reward—often down to your current loadout, quest urgency, and your confidence in surviving a final firefight.
Equipment and Preparation for Extraction
Proper gear choices can make or break an extraction attempt. Always carry at least one navigation tool—either a detailed map or a compass mod—to ensure you’re heading in the right direction. Consider using silencers on your weapon and wearing low-profile armor to minimize noise and silhouette when approaching extracts. Flashlights and glowsticks can be lifesavers during night raids, illuminating exit routes without giving away your position to distant enemies.
Stock up on medical supplies—at least two to three IFACs and a splint—so that you can treat injuries quickly. A single bullet wound to the leg can slow you down enough to make an exit impossible. Grenades can be used cautiously as distraction devices, funneling Scavs or enemy PMCs away from your chosen extract point. Finally, if you’re planning a key-based exit, always carry a spare key; it’s not uncommon to misplace or lose one in an early firefight. Preparation is about redundancy; having backups for visual, medical, and clearance needs ensures you won’t be left stranded far from safety.
Tips for Safe Extraction
Approach extract points with caution. Before sprinting into an exit zone, pause at a safe distance to scout the area—use binoculars, peep through foliage, or employ a drone if available. Listen for audio cues: tire screeches from vehicles or distant gunfire can signal that other players are nearby. Always have an alternate escape route planned; if you see footprints or Scav armor flanking your intended exit, pivot quickly to your secondary choice rather than forcing a confrontation.
Use distraction tactics sparingly. A well-timed grenade toss can clear patrols, but it can also alert every survivor within earshot. Smoke grenades may provide cover—but only briefly. In group raids, coordinate with teammates: send one player to bait enemy attention while another slips through a quiet exit. Communication tools like voice chat or in-game markers can prevent friendly fire and ensure everyone knows where to regroup after extraction. Remember, surviving the final moments of a raid is as much about situational awareness and restraint as it is about firepower.
Coordination and Team Strategies
When running with a squad, extraction becomes a coordinated effort. Assign roles such as scout, rear guard, and navigator. The scout leads the team toward the extract, clearing choke points and signaling danger. The rear guard watches for enemies approaching from behind. A dedicated navigator carries the map and calls out bearings and distances. This division of responsibilities ensures that every angle is covered, reducing the risk of ambushes and allowing the group to move cohesively.
Establish rendezvous points in case of separation. Tarkov’s unpredictable AI and player encounters can split squads in seconds. Pre-designated fallback locations—such as the ammunition caches on Customs or the rarely used trailers on Interchange—allow lost teammates to rally without wandering aimlessly. Use flares or signal guns sparingly to mark your position; while they are loud and can draw attention, in desperate situations they offer an unmistakable beacon. With clear communication protocols and practiced maneuvers, team extractions become methodical rather than chaotic, drastically improving overall survival rates.
Summary Table: Popular Extract Points Overview
| Map | Extract Point | Requirements | Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customs | ZB-1011 Bus Stop | None | Low to Moderate | Easy access but heavily trafficked |
| Shoreline | Pier | None | Moderate | Fast but exposed |
| Factory | Gate 3 | None | High | Immediate exit but contested |
| Reserve | Armored Train | Military Key, Train Pass | High | Lucrative but guarded |
| Woods | Scav Island | None | Moderate | Often overlooked, quick departure |
Conclusion
Choosing the right extract point in Escape from Tarkov is more than just a final step—it’s a strategic decision that should be integrated into your entire raid plan. By combining detailed map knowledge, risk assessment, and careful preparation, you can transform extraction from a stressful sprint into a calculated maneuver.
Experiment with both popular and obscure exits, practice your routes in offline mode, and refine your team communication protocols. Over time, mastering extractions will not only boost your survival rate but also enhance your overall efficiency, letting you complete more successful raids and profit handsomely from your Tarkov adventures. Remember, a good exit strategy is the cornerstone of every successful PMC run.