> If you're going to use magsails to slow it down, why not use a magsail to get it there? The trip is basically symmetrical.

If you launch a strong magnet in interstellar space, it will slow down relatively to plasma by deflecting charged particles.

In order to speed up, you need to spend energy.

The symmetry is broken between accelerating and slowing down relatively to interstellar plasma (Edit: or solar wind).