You're crouched in the dark. Clickers are twitching just a few feet away, and your ammo count is sitting at a depressing zero. Then you see it—a rusted floor safe tucked behind a counter. In Naughty Dog’s remake, these aren't just loot boxes; they're literal lifelines. Finding the actual tlou part 1 safe codes is honestly one of the most satisfying loops in the game, mostly because the rewards usually mean the difference between winning a gunfight or dying in the dirt.
It's tempting to just Google the numbers. I get it. But there’s a specific kind of tension that comes from scrounging for that one crumpled piece of paper while a Bloater stomps around upstairs. The remake—The Last of Us Part 1—doesn't change the combinations from the original 2013 release or the Remastered version, but the updated visuals make the notes way easier to spot if you know where to look.
That First Safe in The Outskirts
Right after you get through the nightmare that is the skyscraper, you’ll find yourself in a shopping area. It’s dark, damp, and filled with Runners. Most people run straight for the exit, but you’ve gotta check the shops.
There’s a safe in a hollowed-out shop on the left side of the main path. The note? It's not in the same room. You have to backtrack slightly to the shop across the way. Jump over the counter and check the drawer. The note says the code is 03-43-78. Honestly, the parts and supplements inside are huge this early in the game. If you’re playing on Grounded difficulty, skipping this is basically suicide. You need those upgrades.
The game does this cool thing where the environment tells the story of the person who left the note. In this case, it’s just a panicked survivor trying to hide their gear. You’ll find that a lot. People in the world of The Last of Us were obsessed with their safes, probably because a steel box is the only thing a Clicker can’t chew through.
Bill’s Town and the Note on the Barbed Wire
Bill’s Town is atmospheric as hell. It’s also a deathtrap. Once you get past the initial woods and into the town proper, you’ll see a main street cluttered with abandoned cars and Bill’s "artistic" tripwire bombs.
Look for a safe sitting right out in the open on the main street, near a white pickup truck. It feels like a trap. It isn't. To find the combination, head to the far end of the street. There’s a note stuck to some barbed wire. It’s a message from a guy named Bob. He was frustrated with Bill (who isn't?) and left the code for anyone who cared. The tlou part 1 safe codes for Bob’s safe is 05-17-21.
Getting this one is easy, but it’s easy to walk right past the note if you’re too busy worrying about the infected. Don't rush. The loot here—usually some scrap and ammo—is worth the thirty seconds of exploration.
The Pittsburgh Hotel Lobby Mess
Pittsburgh is where the game really picks up the pace. The hotel basement is arguably the scariest part of the entire journey. Before you drop down into the watery hellscape of the basement, though, there’s a safe in the lobby.
Check the submerged area behind the check-in desk. You’ll see the safe behind a counter in a small office. Now, to get the code, you need a ladder. Grab the ladder, lean it against the balcony, and climb up. Instead of heading through the doors to continue the story, shimmy across the broken floorboards to the right.
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There’s a suitcase there. Open it. The note gives you the code: 22-10-56.
Why the Hotel Safe Matters
If you miss this one, you’re missing out on a Training Manual. In The Last of Us, those manuals are gold. They give you permanent buffs to things like Shiv durability or health kit effectiveness. Especially on harder modes, having a Shiv that doesn't break after one kill is a literal godsend.
The Suburbs and the Final Safe
Fast forward through the sewers (which are a nightmare, let's be real) and you’ll reach the suburbs. This area feels eerily normal, like a neighborhood that just stopped in time. There’s a house with a workbench in the garage. Go inside.
Head to the top floor. On a desk, you’ll find a note mentioning a safe in the basement. This is one of the few times the note and the safe are in the same building, which is a nice break from the usual scavenger hunt. The code for the Suburbs safe is 08-21-36.
Most players get distracted by the conversation between Joel and Henry here, but keep your eyes peeled. The supplements in this safe are usually enough to tip you over into your next major skill upgrade.
The Logic Behind the Loot
Why bother with these?
You’ve got a limited amount of resources. The game is designed to keep you feeling desperate. Every time you open a safe using these tlou part 1 safe codes, the game rewards your exploration with a "safe" pocket of supplies. It's the only time the game isn't actively trying to kill you.
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- Supplements: These are for Joel. Faster healing, increased weapon sway stability.
- Parts: These are for the workbenches. You want a bigger clip for that shorty? You need parts.
- Ammo: Sometimes the safes are stingy, but usually, you'll find a few rounds of something heavy.
The remake also added a "Safe Cracker" trophy. If you’re a completionist, you need all four. It’s not just about the gear; it’s about that 100% stat screen.
Real Tips for Finding Notes
Look, sometimes you lose the note. Or maybe you're playing in a dark room and just didn't see the shimmer of the paper. Here is the trick: The Last of Us Part 1 has incredible accessibility settings. If you’re really struggling to find the physical notes, you can turn on "High Contrast Mode" in the options. It turns the world gray and makes interactive items—like safe notes—glow yellow. It's a bit of a "cheat" for the immersion, but if you’re frustrated, it’s a life-saver.
Also, listen to the dialogue. Often, Ellie or your companion will mention something about "looking around" or "checking that room." That is Naughty Dog's subtle way of telling you there's something valuable nearby. They don't want you to miss the safes because the game is better when you're geared up.
Correcting the Myths
You might see some old guides online talking about a safe in the University or the Lakeside Resort. Honestly? They're wrong. Those areas have plenty of locked doors that require Shivs, but the actual dial-combination safes are limited to the ones mentioned above.
There are only four.
- The Outskirts (03-43-78)
- Bill’s Town (05-17-21)
- Pittsburgh Hotel (22-10-56)
- The Suburbs (08-21-36)
That’s it. If you’re searching a room in the Firefly Lab for a safe, you’re wasting your time. Focus on these four and you'll have everything you need to max out Joel's kit.
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Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
If you’re starting a new game plus or just jumping in for the first time, keep these points in mind:
- Don't skip the notes: Even if you know the codes by heart, picking up the notes adds to your "Artifacts" collectible count. You need those for the "Archivist" trophy.
- Save your Shivs: Safes are free. Locked doors cost a Shiv. If you have to choose where to spend your time, find the safe code first.
- Check the back of the paper: In the remake's UI, you can flip artifacts over. Sometimes there’s extra lore on the back that doesn't relate to the code but builds the world.
- Prioritize the Hotel: If you only get one safe, make it the Pittsburgh Hotel one. That Training Manual is way more valuable than the random parts you get in Bill's Town.
Opening these safes is a core part of the "scavenger" fantasy that makes The Last of Us so compelling. It forces you to slow down and actually look at the world Neil Druckmann and the team at Naughty Dog built. Next time you see a safe, don't just walk by. The code is always nearby, hidden in the wreckage of someone's former life. Go find it.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough
Locate the safe in the Pittsburgh Hotel Lobby and retrieve the Training Manual inside. This specific item is a prerequisite for upgrading your combat effectiveness significantly before the difficult basement sequence. Ensure you have at least one empty inventory slot for the supplements found alongside the manual to maximize your resource gain.