Locked vaults stand out as a notable upgrade in The Last of Us Part 1, added to address gaps from the original project. This guide explains how to unlock every safe in the game and highlights the valuable items players can uncover along the way.
How to open safes?
The basic idea behind safes is straightforward: players locate a unique code somewhere in the level and use it to unlock a locked container. Most codes are tucked away near crates or shelves, so a careful search pays off. The thrill is in the hunt as much as in the reward.
Reading passwords for safes is optional, but the rewards are worthwhile for anyone aiming to endure harsher conditions. Inside many safes lie items that ease survival, and there is an achievement tied to finding all passwords. The achievement is earned by inspecting each vault and collecting the codes. A complete list of all vault codes appears in the sections below.
How to open a safe in the suburbs (city center)
The first safe typically appears after several hours of exploration. In the ruined subway near the city center, players should move to the left side of the plaza, locate a storefront, and hop over the counter to reach the drawer behind the cash register. A note tucked there bears the safe code: 03-43-78.
Proceed through the central doorway and continue until a bookstore comes into view.
Another large safe sits behind a counter in a different room. Enter the correct combination to claim the reward, which includes 50 parts.
How to open a safe in Bill’s Town (forest)
During the early portion of this level, Joel carries Ellie over a wire mesh fence and guides her toward a doorway. The street here has many buildings to examine. Follow the path to the right and soon a sizable metal safe will appear on the street beside a pickup truck.
At the far end of the block, a note attached to barbed wire reveals the safe code: 05-17-21.
Back at the nearby box, opening the safe yields 50 parts, 5 enhancements, and shotgun cartridges.
How to Open a Safe in Pittsburgh (Hotel Lobby)
Inside the hotel, Joel places a ladder on the left side of the lobby to reach a higher level. After moving up, take a right and continue along a ruined corridor set along the wall. In an open briefcase, a note reveals the safe code: 10/22/56.
Descending back to the ground floor, a room to the right behind the reception leads to another chamber.
In this new space, examine the safe with care and input the matching code to obtain a folder, 50 parts, revolver cartridges, and additional survival components.
How to Open a Safe in Suburbia (House)
After escaping the sewer, Joel and Ellie find themselves inside a small suburban home. The route through a narrow area is chosen to avoid exposing themselves to a sniper and the risk of a late reload. The last house in the block is explored, passing a blue ice cream truck to reach a dead end.
The attic holds the code to the safe: 08/21/36. Inspecting a matchbox reveals this key detail.
Going down one floor, the safe in the bedroom closet yields 10 enhancements, 50 parts, and shotgun shells.
Note: this guide omits any non-critical dialogue and focuses on the puzzle and reward structure to streamline gameplay information for players in North America and beyond.
All information reflects in-game mechanics and item distribution as experienced in standard playthroughs.