One of the first roadblocks you face inThe Witcher 3is as administrative as it is physical. Velen, where Geralt begins his search for Ciri, and Novigrad, where he will have to travel, are separated by the Pontar. It’s a wide river that can only be crossed at a handful of bridges.

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Thanks to the war, travel across the river is tightly controlled by the Redanians and is limited to people lucky enough to get a pass to cross the river. You’ve got plenty of ways to get across, both legal and otherwise, though none of them are immediately obvious.

Getting Across The Pontar

The easiest way to cross the river would be to do so at thecheckpoints near the Border Post Fast Travel point,north of Hanged Man’s Tree, andthe Western Gate Fast Travel point,just outside Oxenfurt.

At both checkpoints, you’ll have topresent a Letter of safe conductto the guards to be allowed to cross. They’ll turn you away without them.

Geralt stands next to a man queuing up to cross a border checkpoint by a river in Velen.

You canget creative with crossing the river.For example, you couldswim across the riverinstead of taking a bridge. Pulling this off will let youFast Travel across the riverwithout getting a pass.

If everything’s in order, Geralt will get to the other side without incident. Getting the passes, on the other hand, isn’t so straightforward.

Geralt crosses his arms and gives a bemused glare to a man just barely out of shot inside a manor.

Legally Crossing The Pontar

If you’re thelaw-abiding kind of witcher,you havetwo opportunitiesto get your hands on a pass. Both of them can bedone early in Geralt’s journey.

Getting It From The Bloody Baron

The Bloody Baron willgive Geralt a pass at the end ofFamily Matters,if youagree to look for Tamara.It’s an expansive quest that’s one of the game’s best. You’ll need to complete a lengthy series of quests to get there, though it’srelevant to Geralt’s search for Ciri.

Helping The Redanian Captain

you’re able to find anotice for the Witcher Contract,Woodland Beast, near the Border Post Fast Travel point, where one of the crossings has been set up. While there aretwo outcomes for the quest,you’llget a pass either way.

How To Get A Counterfeit Pass

If you’re in a hurry, you canacquire a fake passto get you across the river. While this method is faster, it’ll also cost you money. You’ll need to findthe Shady Merchant at the Border Post.He’ll offer Geralt acounterfeit passthrough the quest,Fake Papers.

The price is steep, especially at the start of Geralt’s journey, but can be lowered byusing Axii or by completingBitter Harvest.

A screenshot of Geralt speaking to a merchant in the middle of Velen

The latter is adifficult quest that needs you to keep the supervisor alive for the discount.Letting Albin Hart die willlock you out of the discount.

The counterfeit papers areas good as advertisedand will let youget across the river.

Next:The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough