Interchange is one of the best maps for looting in Escape from Tarkov. Even though it has been hit with multiple nerfs, the map is expansive enough that you can go anywhere and escape with a lot of money and rare items.
The map plays differently depending on where you are on it. The mall can be quite overwhelming if you don’t know its layout. This article will show you the best locations to go to, as well as some strategies for making money and getting out safely during most raids.
1. Ultra Mall – Main Area
Risk: Very High
This is your bread and butter on Escape from Tarkov’s Interchange map. Most of the things that happen on this map occur here. This place has the highest-value loot, and most people will look to go here as soon as they spawn.
With the Ultra Mall, we are discussing both the first and second floors. The first floor has more options, but there are some places on the second floor worth checking out; we will discuss how to use the second floor to maneuver shortly.
One notable thing about Ultra is the scav boss, Killa. He spawns all around the mall and isn’t always here, but a lot of people check here, adding more danger. If you manage to get Killa, he has his “Killa Armor” on him, which is a really good piece of equipment.
He also has a chance to spawn with rare ammo.
Places With A GPU Spawn And Other Rare Electronics on Escape from Tarkov’s Interchange Map
The places go as follows:
- Rasmussen
- Dom
- Texho
- German
- TTS
- Techlight (Second Floor)
- The Southeast corner of Ultra near the stairs
- The Northeast corner of Ultra near the stairs
- EMERCOM
These places are really good for finding GPUs and other electronics. Rasmussen, Texho, Dom, and Techlight are close to one another, so a good strategy is to loot those four stores and get out. However, even without a GPU, these places are amazing.
Be mindful of the type of player that goes here; people who are rushing these tech spawns are usually really experienced and geared. This location on Escape from Tarkov’s Interchange map should only be visited if you know what you are doing or if you are looking to gain some experience.
Techlight is tricky, as you need to go up the escalators, which can be easily camped by other players. Our advice is to loot quickly, and over time you will learn how the map flows and where to expect other players.
You can always go around to the other escalators, but that can be risky as well. The interchange overall is a volatile map, and a lot of activity can happen quickly since the whole mall is essentially one big hot spot.
Once you go up the escalators, be careful of the long hallway behind you, as people sometimes sit in the back, waiting for you to enter the store. The most common spot for ambushes is inside the store, though.
Medical Loot
For medical loot, we have:
- Mantis
- EMERCOM
- Ultra Medical Storage
- Tarzdrav
While all of these have medical loot, the places you want to look out for the most are the first three, as Tarzdrav has a few med bags and is quite far away compared to the others. EMERCOM also has a GPU spawn, which is why it is in both categories, even though the spawn is really rare.
Weapons, Weapon Mods, Weapon Crates, and Ammo
For weapon-related things, the best places to go are:
- Kiba
- Adik
- Generic
- Voyage
- The Southeast corner of Ultra near the stairs
There are weapon boxes all over Ultra, and these are not the only places where they are found; rather, they are concentrated here and all the stores are near each other, making it quite convenient. Of these, Kiba has the most loot; however, you need two keys to open it.
2. OLI – Rare Loot And Tech
Risk: Very High/High
Oli is the second-best place for overall loot on the map and is also one of the best places in the game for industrial and electronic loot. The main area has many loose loot spawns, and the east and west sides are full of PC blocks.
The back of OLI is an excellent choice for looting early on, as many of the materials you need for your hideout spawn there. A popular strategy is to do scav runs on Interchange, as many players will overlook these spots in the heat of battle.
Unfortunately, all of this loot makes OLI a popular place for both inexperienced and experienced players, which can be really overwhelming as there are many angles from which you can be camped.
What a lot of players do is hug the wall along the south side so they have cover from at least one side of the map. This is a pretty good strategy, as you have one side that you don’t have to worry about; however, just know that you will likely run into someone.
Killa also has a chance to spawn here, so our advice is to loot quickly but take your time checking corners. Just like any place on this map, it is impossible to check everything; therefore, our advice is never to stay in the open and always have some cover nearby.
Related Article: The 7 Best Locations to Get Loot on the Escape from Tarkov Woods Map
3. Goshan Area on Escape from Tarkov’s Interchange Map
Risk: High/Medium
Goshan and entry points from now on are more situational and do not offer as much as Ultra and OLI. What Goshan is best for is a balance of good loot and safety. Looting the back of Goshan is an excellent strategy for budget runs, beginners, or early wipes.
This place has much loose loot, provisions, toolboxes, duffel bags, and some weapon boxes. It is often looted by players who want some loot but do not want the danger of the main areas.
That being said, this Interchange map location is not without danger for the many Escape from Tarkov players. People still go here, and Killa has a chance to spawn, which will draw people hunting him; couple that with the danger of Killa himself, and you have a deadly combination.
There are many cash registers at the front of the store, and people used to farm these, but they have been nerfed since then, not to mention the fact that you are exposed constantly.
Overall, we do not recommend that you bother with them. Instead, if you are in front of Goshan, try to get out as fast as possible.
4. IDEA
Risk: High/Medium
IDEA has many similarities to Goshan, and even though IDEA has more loot potential, it is more inconvenient to loot here. This place has a lot of rare loot spawns, such as lions, Prokill Medallions, and GP Coins.
That being said, the valuables can be somewhat rare; since it is such a vast place to loot, it is in an awkward place where it does not have as much loot as the main mall or OLI, and it is not as convenient as Goshan. Moreover, it is not that safe to simply recommend it freely to new players.
If you spawn nearby, the best place to start looting is in the north of IDEA where there are PC blocks, GPU spawns, and loose electronics. If you find yourself in the back of this place, however, there are some toolboxes, loose loot, and duffel bags which should be easy pickings.
Killa has a chance to spawn here, so be careful of that too. Overall, IDEA is not a bad place, and it can give you some great items. We just think that it is a bit more situational than the other entries here.
5. Garages Area of Escape from Tarkov’s Interchange Map
Risk: Medium/Low
The garages are an interesting location, as they stretch across the entire mall; many players overlook just how much loot you can get there relatively safely. It is our favorite way of doing budget runs and scav runs on Interchange.
There are countless weapon boxes, loot that is scattered around, and mod spawns that are not concentrated in one area. Consequently, you have to travel quite a bit to find the loot. To make matters worse, there are two Killa spawns that can make garages potentially dangerous at times.
What is great about the garages is the “Safe Room” extraction. It is an extraction in the middle of the map that, when the power is on, allows the Object #11SR keycard to be activated on the second floor of the mall, giving you an easy exit.
This is especially good when you have a lot of loot on you and are worried about the extract campers. Just be careful that someone doesn’t take the extraction while you’re busy activating it.
Related Map Guide: How to Find the Best Loot on Escape from Tarkov’s Reserve Map
6. Object #21WS Container Area
Risk: Low
This is the second-to-last entry on our list of the best locations on Tarkov’s Interchange map. We really don’t have much to say about it other than that it is a low-risk area with the potential of getting good weapons, ammo, and armor. However, you need a keycard to access the main loot area.
We like just how quickly you can loot and get out; of course, you should still be careful, as there are people outside the mall doing stash runs or just sniping. However, generally, this place is free loot.
7. The Power Station
Risk: High
People who come here come to turn on the power, not really for the loot. This place has some weapon boxes, jackets, toolboxes, and a few PC blocks, among other things. However, it is too dangerous to justify coming here compared to other locations.
If you need the power turned on or you spawn here, feel free to grab some of the loot along the way; however, that is about it.
Final Thoughts on Escape from Tarkov’s Interchange Map
That is pretty much it for this guide. We hope you have a clearer idea of where to go on Escape from Tarkov’s Interchange map. This is a terrific map to play, as it offers a lot of diverse areas and some fairly low-risk zones for those trying to catch up or overcome their own Escape from Tarkov solo anxiety.
Check out our other Escape from Tarkov guides if you are looking to get better, and good luck in your raids!
If you have any other questions for us or topics you’d like us to cover, please feel free to drop us a line in the comments below.
