Trading in Elite Dangerous is often hailed as one of the most relaxing ways to make money — once you know what you’re doing. But don’t worry, even if you’ve just launched the game for the first time, this guide will walk you through everything from basic ship setup to finding the best trade routes, executing trades, and even optimizing the experience for smoother play. Whether you’re a fresh-faced Commander or a returning player brushing off your Sidewinder, this guide will get you hauling cargo like a pro in no time.

Step 1: Set Up Your Sidewinder for Trading

Your humble Sidewinder is perfectly capable of kickstarting your career in trade. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done. The only real adjustment you need is maximizing cargo space.

• Dock at any station and access Starport Services.
• Head to Outfitting.
• Under the Optional Internal section, find empty module slots.
• Replace any empty slots with Cargo Racks.

Filling your internal slots with cargo racks should give you 8 units of cargo space — enough to get started.

As you progress and accumulate credits, consider moving up to beginner-friendly trade ships like the Type-6 Transporter, which is a fan favorite for early-game hauling. It can carry significantly more and offers better jump range and survivability.

Step 2: Understand the Trading Strategy

The core principle of trading is universal: buy low, sell high. You want to purchase goods at stations where they’re cheap and fly them to places where they’re in demand and priced higher.

While you can use in-game tools to find opportunities, most players use third-party resources to speed things up and find more lucrative trade loops. For this guide, we’ll be using the widely trusted Inara.cz to find profitable trade routes.

Step 3: Finding Trade Routes Using Inara.cz

1. Head to Inara.cz, select Elite Dangerous.
2. Click Trade Routes > Trade Route Search.
3. Fill in your current station.
4. Set the Max Route Distance — early-game players should use something between 10–30 light years.
5. Open Advanced Settings and set your ship’s cargo capacity (shown in your right-side panel in-game under “Inventory”).
6. Click Search.

You’ll now see a list of what’s known as ABA routes — simple two-station loops optimized for buying and selling.

If you already have a decent amount of credits, just pick the top result — it likely offers the best returns. However, if you’re low on funds (under 100,000 credits), scroll down until you find a route with a unit cost of around 1,000 credits or less. This helps you afford a full load of cargo.

Step 4: Execute the Trade

Buy the Commodity

• In-game, dock at your station and go to Starport Services > Commodities Market.
• Make sure you’re in the Buy Tab.
• Find the first material suggested by Inara.
• Buy as much as you can afford and carry.

Travel to the Target Station

• Open the Galaxy Map.
• Either type the system name manually or copy/paste it from Inara.
• Once in the correct system, head to the specific station listed.

Sell and Reload

• Upon arrival, go to the Commodities Market.
• Switch to the Sell Tab and sell your cargo.
• Now switch back to the Buy Tab.
• Purchase the second commodity listed on Inara — this is your return trip cargo.

Even if it’s expensive (like silver often is), just buy what you can afford. Profits will stack quickly.

Return and Repeat

Fly back to your original station and repeat the loop.

A good route can make you:

• ~880,000 credits per trip in a Sidewinder
• ~1,000,000 credits per trip in a Type-6

Not bad for just flying back and forth a few times!

Step 5: Watch Out for Pirates

The main danger in trading is piracy. If a pirate targets you, you’ll usually see a message in your comms like “That’s the haul we’ve been looking for.”

When that happens:

• If you’re en route to another system, immediately try to jump away.
• If you’re in the target system, expect an interdiction attempt.

During interdiction:

• Your screen will display a circular UI overlay.
• Align your ship’s nose with the center of the circle.
• Keep your throttle in the blue zone for optimal maneuverability.

Hold steady for about 20 seconds, and you’ll escape. If you fail, you’ll be pulled into realspace and may have to evade or negotiate.

Bonus Tip: Bookmark Your Trade Stations

Typing out system names every trip can be frustrating and breaks the immersion. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix.

1. Open the Galaxy Map.
2. Search for the system name.
3. Click System Map.
4. Select the station.
5. Click the bookmark icon.

Do this for both ends of your trade route. Then, when you need to plot a course, open the Bookmarks tab in the Galaxy Map and set your route instantly.

It’s a small quality-of-life upgrade — but once you start using it, you won’t go back.

---

Final Thoughts

Trading in Elite Dangerous is a fantastic way to unwind and earn money, especially early on. It’s simple, strategic, and satisfying. With tools like Inara.cz and a few smart upgrades, you can rake in millions without ever firing a shot. And as you grow in wealth, you’ll unlock bigger ships and grander possibilities.

Whether you’re aiming for the Python, dreaming of a fleet carrier, or just want to explore in peace, trading is a solid foundation for every type of Commander.

Until next time — keep your cargo safe, your throttle steady, and your pips balanced. This is Commander Deiri, signing off. Fly safe!