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• Alcatraz Prison Tours
• Visiting Tips

Visit Alcatraz: Where to Find the Ferry, Parking, & Other Tips

by Jill Loeffler   •

Before you visit Alcatraz in San Francisco, there are a few things you need to know. My guide offers you some insider's tips to help you make the most of your visit to the island.

I visit Alcatraz frequently to stay up-to-date on everything that's happening on the island. It makes it easier to pass along these wonderful tips to you before you arrive for your tour.

Are you looking for information to book your tickets? If so, visit this page for ticketing details and then return here to help prepare for your visit to Alcatraz Island.

Highlights to Visit Alcatraz

• Ferries leave from Pier 33 just south of Fisherman's Wharf.
• Your ticket is timed and you can only take that ferry to Alcatraz.
• Arrive no less than 20 to 30 minutes before the time on your ticket.
• Bring as little as possible as there are no storage lockers.
• Wear a jacket or sweater as the ride over to the island gets chilly.

Disclaimer : I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Still need tickets? Click the links below to check out some combo tickets that include the tour of Alcatraz.

Everything You Need to Plan to Visit Alcatraz 

• Details about the Alcatraz Ferries
• Where to Park Nearby
• What to Expect When You Arrive & Audio Tour Details
• What Else Can I See on Alcatraz
• Food on the Island
• Bathrooms on Alcatraz
• What to Wear
• ADA Accessibility

How do I learn more about the prisoners that lived on the island? Visit my Alcatraz History page to learn more about the prisoners and the history of the island.

Details About the Alcatraz Ferries

Where is the ferry for alcatraz .

Let's start with the basics. Where is the Alcatraz ferry located and how do I get there?

The ferry is currently operated by a company called Alcatraz Cruises. They operate all of their ferries out of Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33. 

Pier 33 is located on Embarcadero Street near Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. The odd numbered piers are north of Pier 1 (now called the Ferry Building ). The even numbered piers are south of Pier 1. 

One option to get to Pier 33 is to take the F streetcar line from Union Square . This streetcar runs about every 15 minutes up and down Market Street. 

How Long is the Ferry Ride from Pier 33 to Alcatraz? 

The time on your ticket is the time the ferry leaves the Pier, so make sure you arrive no later than 20 to 25 minutes before the ferry departs.

This sign at Alcatraz Landing shows which ferry is currently boarding.

>> More details and tips for the ferry to Alcatraz

Parking Near Alcatraz

Here are a few of the top parking options near the ferries to Alcatraz.

80 Francisco Street : Large garage with more than 500 spaces, it's just a couple of blocks away and an easy walk to Pier 33.

1603 Montgomery St : Just two blocks away from Pier 33, between Chestnut St. and Lombard St. and it has about 100 spaces.

Here is a map showing Pier 33, the streetcar drop off point and some of the parking available. The blue "P"s on the map mark a few of the popular parking areas.

The red "F"s on the map mark the stops for the F streetcar.

As long as you have a ticket in hand, you are guaranteed a spot to get on that ferry.

You are welcome to line up, but you can also sit back and hang out in the waiting area until the ferry starts to board. 

What to Expect When You First Arrive

When you arrive to visit Alcatraz, everyone on the ferry will get off at the one and only stop.

You will receive a short briefing as a group and then head up the hill to the main building to visit Alcatraz. It's not a race, so feel free to take your time getting up the hill.

The hill is about a fourth of a mile long. The hill is steep and is broken up into four football size sections with flat landings in between. 

Within the fourth of a mile walk, you will climb the equivalent of 13 stories. Don't hesitate to stop along the way, take some photos and look around at the buildings you see during your walk. 

There are also a few benches along the way for you to stop and catch your breath.

If you need additional assistance, you can request a seat on the shuttle (shown in the picture below). It will take you from the ferry up to the entrance to the Cellhouse. Once you arrive, ask a ranger about the shuttle and they will help you find the pick-up point.

Details About the Audio Tour

The self-guided audio tour starts in the main prison building. It lasts about 45 minutes.

When you get to the top of the hill, you'll head into the doorway in the picture below.

You'll receive an audio player for your self-guided tour of the main Cellhouse. The audio is really well done and it's always one of my favorite parts.

After climbing one more set of steep stairs (the largest one on the tour), you'll look for this sign to start your audio tour. 

For the next 45 minutes, you will walk along the predetermined audio tour route. During the tour, you will hear from guards and prisoners that spent years in this prison. Some of them were here for decades! 

You will learn all about the history of the island including information on its most infamous prisoners ( find out more about these prisoners including Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly ). You'll also learn about the escapes from Alcatraz ( discover details on the most famous escape attempts here ).

With your headphones on, it can be hard to hear others around you. All of the areas you stop at are pretty crowded, so be respectful and aware of those around you during the self-guided tour. 

At any point along the way, you can pause your audio player to spend a little more time in a certain area. This is perfect when it's crowded and you want to get a closer look at something. 

I also often put mine on pause if there is a talk or special tour going on. You will just want to remember where you were on your self-guided tour, so you can head back to that location.

Your audio player also shows which section you were in, so ask a ranger for help if you can't find your way back.

At the end of the tour, you'll turn in your audio player. At this point, you are on your own to explore Alcatraz. 

Other Fun Things to See & Do on the Island

Depending on the time of year you visit, you will find different areas open. Any time of year, you can head out to take pictures near the lighthouse (it's also on the audio tour, so you should have no problems finding it when you are done).

From this area, you get some great views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge , and the SF Bay. 

I also recommend that you visit the gardens, which are beautiful. Some of the plants and flowers have been growing for years.

Recently, they increased their efforts to care for the plants and flowers in the garden, so it's a great stop. 

I also recommend that you head out to the old prisoner yard. It's only a short stop on your audio tour, so just ask a ranger if you can't find it again.

It's a fun place to hang out and take a look up close at the outside of the Cellhouse. 

From here, you can also get some great photos of the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito .

Either on your way in or out, make sure you stop by the theater for a short Alcatraz Island history film. This free film covers the history of the island from the beginning to some of the current projects going on to restore it.

You will also find two gift shops on the island. This is where you can find a large selection of Alcatraz related books, movies, and other items. 

The first one is located next to the area where you drop off your audio tour. The second is next to the theater. 

If you want to learn more before you visit Alcatraz, you will also find a great selection of Alcatraz books and movies online.

Some of my favorites include the book Letters from Alcatraz , with personal letters from a number of inmates on the island from Al Capone to Machine Gun Kelly, and the National Geographic documentary called Vanished from Alcatraz , which includes recent information on the famous 1962 escape attempt from the island.

Other Questions About Your Visit

Is there food on Alcatraz? 

There is no food available for purchase on Alcatraz. However, if you brought your own food, there is a small area with picnic benches that you are welcome to use to eat or drink. 

That being stated, I want to warn you that the area is full of birds looking for a meal also, so I recommend either eating before you arrive or after you return to San Francisco.

They do not allow you to eat anywhere else on the island nor do they sell any food.

Here are some recommendations on where to eat near Alcatraz .

Can you sleep at Alcatraz? 

This would be such a cool program, but at this time they do not allow people to spend the night on the island. 

Are there bathrooms on Alcatraz? 

There are bathrooms on most of the ferries on the way over and back. 

There are also restrooms in two locations on the island. One is right near the ferry terminal. The second set of bathrooms is at the top of the hill right outside the Cellhouse.

Ask any ranger for directions to the nearest bathroom when you are on the island as they are always happy to help.

What to Wear on Alcatraz Prison Tours

You will want to bring along layers for your visit. It will be cool and windy on the ferry ride over, so make sure to bring a light jacket or sweater. You can also sit inside, but the doors are open so it's usually cool in there also.

On the island, it is warmer outside, but cooler inside the building.

They don't have heat or air inside the building, so bring along layers so you can mix and match based on the weather that day.

There are also many broken windows and they leave many doors open, so the air can really blow through the prison on very windy days.

You can also check out my weather by month pages to get an idea on what to pack for your stay. Keep in mind, that it might be an additional 10 to 15 degrees cooler on the ferry and/or inside the prison on Alcatraz.

ADA Accessibility to Visit Alcatraz

Are the Alcatraz Prison Tours ADA accessible? Yes, most of the island is ADA Accessible.

Limited Mobility and Wheelchairs

For those with mobility limitations, you will find a few options to help you get around. When you arrive on the island, you will arrive at the ferry terminal at the bottom of the island. The main Cellhouse building is up a very steep hill. It's about a fourth of a mile, but the climb is similar to climbing up 13 flights of stairs.

To help you get to the top, there is a S.E.A.T. Tram that will take you to the main entrance to the Cellhouse. You will see the tram upon arrival on the island. You can take this to get to the entrance of the prison.

Most of the tour is on the second floor of the building, but there is a small elevator that can take you from the main floor up to the area where you will find the tour. You can return to this elevator after your tour to get back to the main level.

Alcatraz does not supply or rent wheelchairs at any of their facilities. You will need to bring your own along if needed.

Hearing Impaired

An American Sign Language version of the audio tour is available. Simply alert a member of the staff that you need this version and they will be happy to provide you a hand-held device with a screen for your tour. There are also large markers for each stop, so you can identify where you need to be for each section of the audio tour.

Visually Impaired

Alcatraz also has materials for those that are visually impaired. They have the Cellhouse tour available in both large print and in Braille. You can request these upon arrival. They also have other materials available for you to use to explore the island.

More on Alcatraz & its Prisoners

• Robert Stroud
• All Prisoners

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group ! 

It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.

You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!

Come join the fun here !

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Is The Alcatraz Tour Worth It: Review & Tips to Visiting the Prison

I have lived in the Bay Area since 2017 and have done the Alcatraz tour three times, and I can confirm that it is totally worth it!

However, when visiting a city like San Francisco, which is bursting at the seams with iconic sights and an endless array of activities, I understand why you may be wondering if the Alcatraz tour is worth it.

You only have time for so many things, should Alcatraz stay on that list?

After visiting Alcatraz Island as many times as I have, I can personally share with you what you can expect on the tour, tips for visiting, reasons you may not want to visit, and how to combine Alcatraz with other top attractions.

Ultimately by the end of this post, you can decide if Alcatraz is worth visiting for you. Let’s dive in!

Best Tour Of Alcatraz For the ultimate tour of the main sites in the city book the One Day in San Francisco Tour with Alcatraz Also, it boasts many 5-star ⭐ reviews, so you can’t go wrong!

Is the Alcatraz Tour Worth It

While you are visiting San Francisco, Alcatraz is a must-add attraction to your itinerary. The reason why I feel this way is because Alcatraz offers a unique and one-of-a-kind experience that you cannot get anywhere else.

For one, to just reach Alcatraz you have to get on a ferry boat across the Bay to the island. Gliding across the San Francisco Bay with panoramic views of the city skyline is an experience in itself.

Then once you arrive, you get to learn about the fascinating history of the infamous prison. The audio guide does a really incredible job teleporting you back in time and unfolding the layers of Alcatraz’s past. You also get to tour the prison at your own pace, which is nice that you can take as much or as little time as you need.

I too had my hesitations about Alcatraz and thought it could be a tourist trap or an overhyped attraction. However, my in laws who were visiting from Seattle wanted to go so we tried it out and really enjoyed it. After that, I took two groups of friends there, and they also loved it.

And if you still don’t believe me, Alcatraz is hands down one of the most popular attractions in the city.

What to Expect on the Tour

Your Alcatraz adventure starts at Alcatraz Landing, where you’ll board the ferry which is the only way to reach the island. While the necessity of a boat ride may seem inconvenient at first, rest assured it’s a swift and scenic journey that adds to the anticipation of exploring the storied prison.

Once you arrive on the island, you will get a quick introduction to Alcatraz and then you will be free to explore the infamous federal prison at your own pace. You will wander through the cellblocks and facilities while listening to a fascinating audio tour that recounts tales of notorious inmates and daring escape attempts.

Including the infamous Alcatraz escape of 1962 of three prisoners that remains one of the most daring prison breaks in history. Despite intensive searches, their fate remains a captivating mystery, as they were never found.

Lastly, one of the best parts about visiting the island is witnessing the island’s surprising natural beauty, all against the backdrop of sweeping bay views. If you go at sunset it is especially beautiful.

The stunning upfront view of the sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco is breathtaking, with the sky transforming into a vivid canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples, casting a magical glow over the cityscape and the iconic bridge.

Review of the Alcatraz Tour

The entire island exudes a very eerie and mysterious ambiance that is incredibly intriguing. As you walk the historic halls, you want to uncover more and more about the day-to-day lives of the infamous prisoners. It’s an experience unlike any other.

In my opinion, I think that the Alcatraz Tour is absolutely a tourist attraction. However, I would not consider it to be a tourist trap.

In fact, if you are interested in history, ferry rides, a gorgeous view of the city, and are looking for a unique thing to do in San Francisco, you will be disappointed with booking an Alcatraz Tour.

Booking Your Alcatraz Tour

There are a ton of options for tours to Alcatraz and honestly, it can be a little overwhelming to decide which one you should book. So I am going to share some essential tips to help guide you in selecting the ideal Alcatraz tour for your experience.

You can only visit Alcatraz Island by tour, so it is essential to secure your tickets well in advance! Especially during high tourism season in San Francisco, Alcatraz tickets sell out fast. Tip, on the official website, tickets are released 90 days in advance.

If tickets happen to be sold out, follow these three tips:

• Check for canceled tickets on the official website
• Book a combo ticket from a participating partner
• Purchase a standby ticket at the box office during the day for a night tour.

Which Tour Should You Pick?

If you want a tour that only includes Alcatraz Island without additional Bay Area attractions, then book your tickets with Alcatraz City Cruises . They are the official website and will offer the cheapest price. Their tours include a Day Tour, Night Tour, and Behind the Scenes Tour.

If you do a Day Tour, the first tour of the day is the best time to go because you will experience fewer crowds. The Night Tour typically sells out quicker than the day tours because they are limited to only a number of people per night and offer many perks that the day tour does not.

Lastly, if you are interested in learning and seeing even more about Alcatraz, the Behind the Scenes Tour allows you to discover areas not available to the public. However, it involves a lot of walking up steep hills, climbing stairs, and standing for long periods of time.

If tickets are sold out or if you want to see more sites in the city like Sausalito or Muir Woods on your tour, then I suggest One Day in San Francisco Tour with Alcatraz .

🏆 Overall Best Tour: One Day in San Francisco Tour With Alcatraz

⭐ RATING : 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 9 hours | ✅ BOOK NOW

As someone who has visited Alcatraz numerous times and lives in the Bay Area, I highly recommend the One Day in San Francisco Tour with Alcatraz . I think this tour has great value and you will experience all of the city’s highlights in a single day’s adventure.

With your expert guide, you’ll explore San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks, including Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy a scenic lunch in Sausalito, my favorite spot is Scoma’s , followed by a visit to the serene Muir Woods, renowned for its soaring redwood trees. The tour concludes with a ferry ride and a captivating visit to Alcatraz Island.

It is a packed day and one con I would say about this tour is that you do not get a lot of time at each location since you are squeezing in so much in one day.

✅ Check rates and availability for One Day in San Francisco Tour with Alcatraz here

How to Get to Alcatraz Island

First things first you will need to get to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, which is where you ferry boat will depart from. If you are staying in San Francisco, then I highly suggest you arrive by public transportation or by Uber/Lyft. There is no parking at Alcatraz Landing and parking in San Francisco can be very expensive!

However, if you are driving from outside of the city, you will need to park at one of the nearby commercial parking lots. I do not recommend on-street parking, a lot of the meters only allow a 2-hour time limit, and car break-ins are rampant in San Francisco.

Your ticket to Alcatraz Island will already include ferry transport to and from the island. It is about a 15 minute ferry ride there and back.

Top Tips For Visiting Alcatraz

• Dress Appropriately : The weather on Alcatraz can be unpredictable, often cooler and windier than in San Francisco even in the summer. Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes, as there’s a fair amount of walking.
• Arrive Early at the Pier : Alcatraz cruises depart from Pier 33. Arrive at least 15 to 30 minutes before your departure time to ensure a smooth boarding process.
• The Return Ferry Schedule: You will want to make sure to take a look at the Ferry schedule so you have an idea in advance of how much time you will have on the island
• Pack a Lunch or Eat Before Your Tour: There are no food services on the island, but you can bring snacks and water. Eating is only allowed at the dock area.
• Allow for 2.5 to 3 hours to tour Alcatraz Island : This includes the cruise to and back Alcatraz and exploring the island.
• Prepare for a Little Physical Activity : The walk from the dock to the main prison building is uphill and can be strenuous. There is a tram for those who need assistance, but it’s good to be prepared by wearing comfortable shoes.
• There is Limited Parking Near Alcatraz Landing: If you are staying in San Francisco, I suggest public transportation.

The Cons of Visiting Alcatraz

As with anything, there are some cons to visiting Alcatraz that you may want to consider before you book your tickets.

It is Expensive

Visiting Alcatraz can be relatively expensive, especially for families or groups. One ticket for a Day Tour is $45.25, and ticket prices just go up from there.

Ticket Availability

Due to its popularity, tickets to Alcatraz can be difficult to obtain, especially if not booked well in advance.

Alcatraz Can Be Crowded

Alcatraz is by far one of the top tourist attractions in San Francisco. This popularity leads to large crowds, especially during peak seasons, which might detract from the experience.

If crowds do bother you, then I suggest booking the first tour of the day or a night tour. The night tours allow a smaller number of people than the day tour.

Time Consumption

A trip to Alcatraz can take a significant portion of the day, which might be a consideration if you have limited time in San Francisco and want to see multiple attractions.

The Verdict: Is The Alcatraz Tour Worth It

Despite some of the cons like the expense of the ticket and crowds, overall, I think the Alcatraz tour is worth it! The tour offers a very unique experience that you can only find in San Francisco.

Where else should you go in the Bay Area? Check out all of my top posts below!

Things to do in San Francisco

• 10 Best Alcatraz Tours San Francisco: Tips & Ultimate Guide
• Sutro Baths Hike: Ultimate Guide & What To Do Nearby
• Sausalito Day Trip From San Francisco

Things to do Near San Francisco

• Day Trip to Napa Valley, CA
• 18 Awesome Things to Do in Pescadero, CA
• Best Way to Get to Muir Woods From San Francisco
• Is Muir Woods Worth Visiting: Why You Should Or Should Not Visit
• Your Ultimate Guide to Jack London Square, Oakland
• The Best Day Trip to Half Moon Bay, California
• Is Half Moon Bay Worth Visiting?
• Top 12 Monte Rio CA Restaurants & Where to Eat Nearby

Alisha Rose is the founder of TTWT and has lived in California since 2016. She is a Registered Nurse, but loves exploring her beautiful home of California every chance she gets with her family and two Golden Retrievers. Also a world traveler, she has traveled to over 21 countries, a total of 5 continents, and 27 states in the US.

TheBetterVacation.com

Everything about tourist attractions

Alcatraz night tour – tickets, prices, ferry timings, what to expect

The Alcatraz night tour is a unique activity limited to just a few hundred tourists per evening and includes special activities and presentations not offered during the day.

Alcatraz Island night tour is one of the fascinating things to do in San Francisco.

This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets to the Alcatraz Night Tour.

• Top Night Tickets

# Alcatraz Night Tour with SF Bay Cruise # Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz Night Tour

Table of contents

Alcatraz night tour tickets, what to expect on a night tour, where do night tours start from, alcatraz night tour timings, how long does the alcatraz night tour take, night tour vs day tour, what to wear for night tour, alcatraz night tour reviews.

Since the night tour of Alcatraz is a limited-edition activity, there is enormous demand, and the tickets sell out soon.

During the peak summer months of April to September, night tours get booked several weeks (if not months) in advance.

As a result, only combo tours such as this are available. For instance, this ticket includes nightly access to Alcatraz and a Bay Cruise any day later.

This night tour to the prison off the city of San Francisco starts at three times – 5.55 pm, 6.30 pm, and 7.05 pm.

Once on the island, expert historians host nightly talks covering various topics.

This night tour includes a special “around the island” route, an experience not offered during daytime tours of Alcatraz.

Alcatraz night tour ticket price

Adult ticket (12+ years): US$159 Youth ticket (5 to 11 years): US$149 Child ticket (up to 4 years): Free entry

If you are trying for an Alcatraz night tour ticket at the last minute, rest assured it will be difficult. Check out how to buy Alcatraz Island tickets at the last minute .

Back to Top

The night tour starts with a scenic ferry ride against the glittering San Francisco skyline.

Wander through the penitentiary walls under the haunting glow of lamplight, where former inmates’ tales take on an eerie layer of intrigue.

The award-winning audio tour, narrated by those who lived it, echoes through the dimly lit cells, sharing secrets of escape attempts and the penitentiary’s storied past.

What the night tours include

Your Alcatraz night tour includes the round-trip ferry ride to and from the Island.

Before you land on the island, you enjoy a guided tour around Alcatraz Island.

The onboard narration points out the hidden spots used for attempted prison escapes and prison structures unreachable by foot.

Once the ferry docks, a Ranger will lead you up a steep 400 meters (1312 feet) uphill walk.

The walk up to the Cellhouse includes many stops to explore the history from pre-Civil War, Military cannon, family life on the Island, etc.

You will also stop for breathtaking views of San Francisco city and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Once you reach the Cellhouse, you explore it at your own pace using the Alcatraz audio tour.

The Award-winning audio presentation ‘Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour’ helps you learn about the Cell House, the inmates, the living conditions, the escape attempts, and the riots.

Once the audio tour is over, you can explore the optional programs and exhibits at the Alcatraz Cell House.

As a bonus, you see the Bay Area all lit up in its glory during your return.

Some visitors who have been to Alcatraz Island during the day and at night found the night tour a bit spooky.

The nocturnal guided tour of Alcatraz is open to a limited set of tourists every day.

You must hurry if you want to book your seat on the nighttime ferry.

Both day and night tours to Alcatraz Island start from Pier 33, also known as Alcatraz Landing.  Get Directions

It is just 400 meters (a quarter of a mile) from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Alcatraz Landing has a ticket booth, waiting area, and finally, the boarding area from where you get on the cruise boats.

During the peak months of March to October, Alcatraz Island night tours sail out at 5.55 pm, 6.30 pm, and 7.05 pm, and from November to March, the ferry departs at 3.50 pm and 4.45 pm. 

Visitors can book night tours from Thursday to Monday during the summer months and during the winter months from Tuesday to Saturday.

Most visitors spend three hours on the Alcatraz night tour.

Since only two ferries leave the island after the night tours are over, you can’t cut short the time.

Most of the days, the first ferry that leaves Alcatraz island after dark reaches capacity.

Tour duration in summer

During the summer months, the Alcatraz cruises designated for the night tour depart Pier 33 at 5.55 pm and 6.30 pm.

The return trips start from Alcatraz island at 8.40 pm and 9.25 pm.

If you start from the earliest cruise departing at 5.55 pm and return by the last cruise departing the island at 9.25 pm, your Alcatraz tour will be over in three and a half hours.

And if you depart at 6.30 pm by the second available cruise, the maximum duration of your Alcatraz night tour will be three hours.

Tour duration in winter

During winter, only one cruise makes the trip to  Alcatraz island , taking tourists on their night tour.

It departs at 3.50 pm from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and reaches the island at 4.05 pm. The same cruise then returns to the mainland at 6.40 pm.

In short, a night tour of Alcatraz in winter also lasts three hours.

Occasionally, there may be a second cruise, depending on demand.

There are four significant differences between the Alcatraz day tours and after-dark tours – the night tour is costlier, exclusive, scarier, and offers better views on the horizon.

Cost of the tour

One of the significant differences is in the cost of the night tour ticket. An adult’s night tour ticket costs $7 more than the day tour tickets.

The higher price tag is because of the limited availability and access to special programs.

Exclusivity of the tour

The night tour is more exclusive than the day tour because of the lesser number of tickets.

For instance, during the summer months, 14-15 ferries start from Alcatraz Landing to take the tourists on day tours.

In sharp contrast, only two ferries depart for Alcatraz Island carrying the night tour ticket holders.

The creepiness factor

The creepiness factor of Alcatraz multiplies manifold at night.

The fact that there is a lesser number of people touring with you makes it scarier.

The human guides who take you through the Alcatraz night tour capitalize on the ‘darkness’ factor.

They give special presentations, such as making all the steel doors close together as they would when Alcatraz was a real prison.

The loud sound of these doors closing is disturbing and stays with you even after returning from the tour.

Exceptional views

During the summer months, the Alcatraz night tour starts at Alcatraz Landing Pier 33 at 5:55 pm or 6:30 pm.

In the winter months, there is only one ferry at 3.50 pm.

Since you are on Alcatraz Island during sunset, you see exceptional views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco city when the sun goes down.

During the return ferry, visitors get to see the glittering San Francisco skyline.

Since you will be walking on all kinds of roads – gravel, mud, paved – and climbing stairways, it is better to wear comfortable and covered walking shoes during your night visit to Alcatraz.

Sandals, high heels, open-toe shoes, etc., are a strict no-no.

The weather on Alcatraz is unpredictable and subject to change at short notice, so it is better to dress up in layers and bring along a light jacket or sweater.

If you are visiting during winter and early spring, be prepared for rain.

According to TripAdvisor, Alcatraz Island is the number one landmark in San Francisco.

It is rated 4.5, with some very positive reviews.

The Alcatraz Night tour has also got some great reviews. Here are two such reviews –

Night tour – a little chilly but lots of fun

We did the night tour during the summer and it was amazing. We sailed into the fog and arrived on the island, and after about an hour or so, the fog had dissipated, leaving some amazing views of the city. – Maxsimmo

Night tour was stunning!

Simply amazing! The audio tour was awesome, esp. listening to former wardens and prisoners caught my heart. Recommend the night tour so u can watch the sunset. The best viewpoint is from the entrance to the courtyard. It is completely worth the money and is highly recommended. DominikaSVK

Sources # Alcatrazislandtickets.com # Cityexperiences.com # Inside-guide-to-san-francisco-tourism.com # Parksconservancy.org The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

Popular attractions in San Francisco

# Alcatraz Island # San Francisco Zoo # California Academy of Sciences # Monterey Bay Aquarium # San Francisco MoMA # San Francisco aquarium # Exploratorium # De Young Museum # San Francisco Bus Tours # Madame Tussauds # San Francisco Bay Cruise # San Francisco Ghost Tour # The Tech Interactive # San Francisco Dinner Cruise # SFO Go Car Tour # Legion of Honor Museum # Walt Disney Family Museum # Museum of 3D Illusions # 7D Ride Experience

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This article was researched & written by

Shobha Mahapatra

She loves traveling in groups - of friends and relatives. The destination doesn't matter much as long she has her fun group around. She loves to try the local cuisine and clothes and also builds friendships wherever she goes. Favorite Cities: Istanbul, Hanoi, Cape Town, Singapore

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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10 Things To Know When Planning A Visit To Alcatraz

Sharon Odegaard

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• History and Culture
• San Francisco
• United States

Alcatraz Island sits so close to the city of San Francisco that it’s as if it’s beckoning to you to visit. It’s visible from all along the wharf and from the high hills of the city, and it’s sure to pique your curiosity.

You’ve likely heard of its reputation as a maximum-security prison, but the island is more than old buildings with barred windows. Alcatraz provides hours of fascinating sights. And the boat ride there, with its stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, makes the trip worthwhile before you even set foot on the island.

Tours of Alcatraz have grown in popularity, and you will want to book ahead to ensure you get a spot.

Here are 10 things to know before you go to ensure you enjoy your visit to the fullest.

1. Be Sure To Book Ahead

If you postpone making a tour reservation until the week you are visiting San Francisco, you may be disappointed. Book at least a few weeks in advance, if possible — you can order tickets up to three months in advance. Only one company, Alcatraz Cruises , sells tickets for island tours. Go online and choose a day tour, night tour, or behind-the-scenes tour. Your ticket will be for a specific time. Boats depart until mid-afternoon, so even the last boat of the day will allow for plenty of time to tour Alcatraz.

Some sites sell bay cruise tickets that include “seeing” Alcatraz from the boat, but not landing there. Be sure to book through the official site if you want to do more than a sail-by.

2. Wear Layers And Comfortable Shoes

You’ll be walking up steep hills and old steps, so wear flat-soled shoes. I wore tennis shoes that were nicely cushioned, which turned out to be perfect for the somewhat uneven paths and worn stairways.

San Francisco can be chilly even in the summer, and fog and rain are common. A windbreaker jacket is a good idea at any time of year. Dress in layers if the weather is iffy.

3. Arrive Early For Boarding At Pier 33

It’s tour day! With your pre-purchased timed ticket in hand, head for Pier 33 about a half-hour early to check in. The numbered piers on the wharf begin at the Ferry Building and go in order toward the popular Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf just beyond. You’ll have no trouble finding Pier 33.

Board the boat at your assigned time and settle in for a lovely 20-minute cruise with views of the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, and the city of San Francisco. Little white sailboats dot the water. It’s quite a picturesque ride.

4. Pick Up An Audio Tour At The Cell Block

Disembark at the dock, right next to the iconic guard tower. Listen to the brief orientation talk given by a National Park Service guide, then head up a hill to the main attraction of your tour: the prison cell blocks. Alcatraz is best known for its years as a federal prison (from 1934 to 1963), though in earlier years it served as a fort.

Enter the main building, just as the prisoners did. When a prisoner arrived, clothes were issued, along with shaving equipment and other basics. The receiving area is set up to show you how this looked. Move through the communal shower area to pick up an audio tour in your language.

I often pass on audio tours, since they can be more cumbersome and distracting than helpful, but at Alcatraz, the audio guide will tell you exactly how to navigate the large building. Hearing the stories told by guards and prisoners will enrich your experience of Alcatraz.

5. You Can Experience A Jail Cell

At Alcatraz, you can go inside a few of the cells and get a good feel for life behind bars. Look out at your fellow tourists wandering the hallways at leisure and envy them.

When I first visited Alcatraz, a guide would shut the door of the solitary confinement cell, leaving you in total silence and darkness. That’s no longer an option — I’m guessing it was too frightening! But it’s still a remarkable experience to stand in the place where prisoners spent months and years and imagine their lives.

6. The Island Has Its Own Lighthouse

After hearing the stories of the prisoners and guards and wandering up and down the cell blocks, you’ll emerge from the main prison building, and right in front of you you’ll see a tall lighthouse. Built in 1854 at the tip of the island, the lighthouse burned in 1970, but most of it survived, and it is operational today.

The shell of a large house next to the lighthouse, with its prime view of the city, once housed the warden and his family. It also burned in 1970, but in its heyday it was a mansion surrounded by ornamental gardens.

7. Look For Signs Of The Native American Occupation

A water tower rises above the north end of the island, and it tells of another era in the history of Alcatraz. Native American activists from San Francisco occupied the island for 19 months starting in 1969. They claimed the land for “Indians of All Tribes” (the name the occupiers gave themselves). When the last occupiers were removed from the island by government officials, graffiti on some of the buildings as well as on the water tower remained: It now reads Peace and Freedom .

8. The National Park Service Tour Is Worth It

Alcatraz Island is now maintained and run by the National Park Service , which offers informative free tours throughout the day. Check the schedule of tours when you arrive at the dock.

I took the tour on escapes from Alcatraz and learned about the cell area where one escape attempt happened. The guide explained the differences between bar shapes and which were easier to saw through. I ended up returning to the cell blocks to study the bars and cells: Some bars were flat, and others were rounded. Details like that are what make the National Park Service tours so interesting.

9. The Old Officers’ Club Has Quite A History

Take a few minutes to examine the large ruined building just above the dock. This was at one time the Post Exchange and Officers’ Club. It’s mind-boggling that during its time as a federal prison, Alcatraz also housed the families of the prison officials in close proximity to the prisoners.

Those who were raised on Alcatraz remember the Officers’ Club fondly, recalling that they were almost unaware of the prison that stood a few yards away. The club featured a soda fountain and a bowling alley, and dances and parties regularly took place there. The children hopped on a boat to San Francisco for school each weekday.

10. Plan To Bring Your Own Food

I spent about four hours on Alcatraz. There’s plenty to see in that much time, but I was there at lunchtime, and I got hungry. No food is sold on the island, but you can pack snacks or a lunch, and I was so glad I did. Visitors are only allowed to eat in the picnic area beside the dock, which sounds restrictive. But there is a good reason for this. The island is a bird sanctuary and nesting site. The mission of the National Park Service is finding a balance between the high volume of visitation and the impact on the island’s wildlife. And sitting on a picnic bench, gazing at the skyline of San Francisco while munching on a deli sandwich is a great experience. You just need to plan ahead.

A day tour of Alcatraz will live in your memory for a long time. Stand on the island with the prison looming ominously above and sailboats gliding peacefully on the water below. You’ll find yourself imagining what life behind bars here was like, knowing that beauty and freedom were tantalizingly close but just out of reach.

More on the City by the Bay:

How To Spend An Amazing Day In San Francisco

12 Amazing Hidden Gems In San Francisco

9 Interesting Things To Know About San Francisco’s Columbus Tower

8 Totally Free Things To Do In San Francisco

9 Tips For Riding Cable Cars In San Francisco

Visiting San Francisco’s Marin Headlands: 9 Things To Know

As the owner of the travel blog, Exploring Our World , Sharon enjoys taking her readers on a journey with her. Articles often delve into the history of a place, and by adding in a generous number of photos, she inspires others to explore for themselves. In her early travels, she was most frustrated by coming back home and learning that she had missed a fascinating sight or a hidden gem. Now she helps travelers prepare for a trip by passing along travel tips, pointing out lesser known things to see, and alerting them to enjoyable day trips from major cities.

Her travel articles have been published by Stripes Europe Newsletter and the World War 2 Writing and Research Center. Whether she's discovering more about her hometown of San Diego, California or flying to faraway places, she enjoys sharing with travel lovers around the world.

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How to Visit Alcatraz Island in 2024: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More

Jessica Nemire Last Updated: October 26, 2023

Alcatraz Island is almost synonymous with San Francisco. Due to the island’s immense popularity, it can be hard to plan your visit. Never fear! That’s what we are here for. Here’s how to visit Alcatraz Island, plus all you need to know about tickets, hours, and more!

Pro Tip:  It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Bookmark this post along with our  San Francisco Guide  for more planning resources, our best San Francisco tours  for a memorable trip, and the top things to do in San Fran .

Alcatraz Island Hours, Tickets, Tours, And Facts: What We’ll Cover

Alcatraz Island housed the most infamous prison in the United States: the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Since shutting down in 1963 and sending its prisoners elsewhere, both the prison and the island have become one of the most popular tour destinations in San Francisco.

It’s also in the middle of the scenic San Francisco Bay, making it even more of an iconic place to visit to get some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. You can learn more about the history of Alcatraz Island here !

• Hours and info
• Tickets and pricing
• Transportation and parking
• What to see and do
• Alcatraz tours
• Facts and history of Alcatraz

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if San Francisco tours are worth it .

How to Visit Alcatraz Island: Hours and Info

Hours:  Monday – Sunday, from 10 am until 9 pm.

Alcatraz Island is closed on the following days:

• Thanksgiving (4th Thursday of November)
• December 25

There are also various portions of the island that are closed off at certain times of the year to allow the island’s resident sea birds to nest. Alcatraz Island has been known to have special events, such as art exhibits, although there have not been any such events since 2019. If they resume events again, their events page can be found here . Currently, the island is hosting community building days to restore the the gardens on the island.

Tickets and Pricing for Alcatraz Island

Since Alcatraz Island is, you know, an island, it’s only accessible via a ticketed ferry. Due to the popularity of Alcatraz, we strongly recommend booking your tickets to Alcatraz Island at least a few weeks ahead of time! Especially during the summer and other high tourist times during the year, Alcatraz tickets can sell out even months ahead of your tour date!

Every ferry ride to Alcatraz Island departs from Pier 33 near Fisherman’s Wharf. The ferry ride from Pier 33 to the island typically takes around 15 minutes. Make sure you arrive at least 45 minutes before the ferry is scheduled to leave. There’s a lot to explore and views to take in from the island, so we recommend spending at least three hours there.

You can purchase your tickets online or in person at Pier 33, which is where the ferry departs. If buying directly from Alcatraz Island, they offer a day tour, a night tour, and also a behind-the-scenes tour. The prices listed below are for the daytime tour, as that is the most common option.

Admission:  $41 for adults, $25 for children (5-11 years), $41 for juniors (12-17 years), $38 for seniors (62+ years) Family Pricing: $119.60 total for 2 adults + 2 children 5-11years

Address:  31 San Francisco Pier 33 – Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA

Pro Tip:  Skip the line by booking your ticket online ahead of time or getting more out of your visit by joining our San Francisco in a day tour ! The tour includes a full access ticket to Alcatraz Penitentiary and Island, as well as a 4-hour guided tour of San Francisco in an open-sided van. The tour also stops by the famous Golden Gate Bridge, and includes pickup at your hotel!

Not ready to book a tour? Read more in our San Francisco Guide .

How To Get to Alcatraz Island

Please note that there is no parking available at Pier 33 (or the island) as you plan how to visit Alcatraz Island. The ferry landing dock at Pier 33 is about a 7-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from Pier 39, otherwise known as Fisherman’s Wharf.

Like most of San Francisco, parking is almost impossible to find at Pier 39. For this reason, finding another way to Alcatraz Island is advised. That’s a big part of the reason why we recommend booking our San Francisco in a day tour that includes Alcatraz. All logistics and tickets are included so you can enjoy your day without stress.

Here are a few transportation options to get to your Alcatraz ferry departure at Pier 33:

• Car/Rideshare Services

The exact timing of your journey to Pier 33 to pick up the ferry for Alcatraz Island depends on which hotel you are staying at, of course. Since most of our picks for the best hotels in San Francisco are near the Embarcadero waterfront , we calculated the times from there. We also calculated some times from Union Square, as that is another popular area to stay in San Francisco.

By Trolley:

We don’t mean the cable cars when we say trolley. Although it looks similar to a cable car, the F Market & Wharves trolley is a MUNI bus that runs from Castro St. Station to Fisherman’s Wharf. Standing for San Francisco Municipal Railway,” the MUNI system is San Francisco’s bus and underground train system.

From the Embarcadero, it takes around 8 minutes to get from the trolley stop to Pier 33. From Union Square, it takes around 24 minutes. A ride on the F trolley costs $3. You can pay by cash with exact change, or on the MuniMobile app. For more information about transportation in San Francisco, check out our helpful article about getting around San Francisco !

If you’re staying by the Embarcadero, the F trolley is your only public transportation option to get to Pier 33. If you are staying by Union Square, you can take the 8 MUNI bus. It takes around 24 minutes, and costs $3.

By Car/Uber:

It takes 10 minutes to drive from Union Square to Pier 33 and around 5 minutes or less to drive from Embarcadero. Since parking is next to impossible near the piers, if you need to drive, we suggest taking Lyft, Uber, or a taxi. With all 3 options, the one-way fare for a standard car fitting 3-4 passengers is likely between $10 and $12.

It takes less than 10 minutes to bike from both Union Square and the Embarcadero area to Pier 33. There are bike rentals all over the city, including handy electric bikes. Bay Wheels, an e-bike sharing program managed by Lyft, offers bike rentals through the Lyft app. For single rides, you will be charged an unlock fee of $3 and charged 30 cents a minute. So, a 10-minute bike ride would about cost $6. Despite being a difficult area to park in, there are frequently a lot of cars and traffic in this area, so watch out for cars if you are biking!

If you are staying near Union Square or the Embarcadero, it might be easiest to simply walk to Pier 33 to catch the ferry if you and everyone in your group is up for a walk. Walking from the Embarcadero Area will take around 15-20 minutes, depending on which hotel you are staying in, and walking from Union Square will take around 30 minutes.

What to See and Do on the Island

Throughout your exploration of the buildings left standing on Alcatraz, you’ll find hundreds of photographs and memorabilia from the time of its use. Some areas are off limits to tourists as they are unstable from neglect. The walkways are also quite steep in some areas, so wear sturdy shoes!

• The cellhouse and infamous escape room
• The gardens
• The courtyard or playground
• View of the bay and the city

Alcatraz Island Tours

A trip to Alcatraz Island is only possible by purchasing a ferry ticket to the island. The National Park Service has jurisdiction over the island, so you’ll find park guides available to help you explore the island. It’s a mostly self-guided tour, but there are also several tour options available throughout the day.

The most popular tour option is the Alcatraz day tour, but there are also night tours, behind-the-scenes tours, and combination tours with Angel Island and Alcatraz Island.

Since it’s extremely difficult to get tickets during peak tourist months, booking a combination tour with a local guide is a popular option. Most tourists prefer booking both Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge to see both of the top San Francisco attractions in one day.

Facts and History of Alcatraz

To get you excited about your trip to Alcatraz, here are some interesting facts about the history of Alcatraz from authors and eyewitnesses mentioned in our other article here .

• Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary housed prisoners during the Civil War.
• The army left Alcatraz in 1934, but it was only empty for a few weeks before the Bureau of Prisons put the most dangerous criminals here.
• Most of the criminals at Alcatraz had committed violent crimes or tried to escape their previous prisons.
• Famous Alcatraz inmates included Al Capone (for tax evasion) and “Machine Gun” Kelly (not the singer) convicted of kidnapping.
• Although the prison took up most of the island, there were also barracks, apartments, and a recreation hall, and at least 60 families with children lived there full time.
• The families who lived there called it  “the poor man’s Hawaii.”
• In 1972, the island became a part of the National Park Service, and it has been home to beautiful gardens since 2003.
• Currently, many species of animals call the island home, such as salamanders and cormorants.
• It’s referred to as “The Rock” because it is made up of mostly rock, and dirt was hauled in to make it livable.
• So far, it has appeared in 10 movies and TV shows, including the 2010 movies The Book of Eli and the 2006 movie X-Men: The Last Stand .

Where To Stay in San Francisco

Make the most of your visit to San Francisco by choosing to stay in the best neighborhoods for seeing all this iconic city has to offer. You’ll love our hotel recommendations.

About Jessica Nemire

Jessica Nemire has been writing about about travel since 2011. She graduated from San Francisco State University in 2016 with a BA in journalism. She loves the ocean, Mission District burritos, and amazing sunsets.

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Alcatraz Island and the Alcatraz Tour

Alcatraz Tour Fascinates Visitors to Alcatraz Island

Matteo Colombo / Getty Images

It's a former federal prison on a rocky island in the middle of the bay, steeped in legend and a popular tourist stop.

Spanish Explorer Manuel de Ayala named this barren rock in the middle of San Francisco Bay Isla de los Alcatraces (Island of the Pelicans). The island called Alcatraz has been used as a Civil War fort, a Federal prison and a symbol of Native American plight. Today, the National Park Service runs Alcatraz Island as a tourist attraction.

Things to Do on Alcatraz

You can get a look at what you'll see on the Alcatraz tour by visiting the Alcatraz slideshow.

The National Park Service schedules activities to help you learn about Alcatraz Island, including lectures and special tours. The schedule board at the ferry landing gives the times. The only guided tour is the audio tour, but you can also pick up a self-guided tour book near the boat dock.

Barracks from Alcatraz Island's stint as a military base, the cell house, lighthouse, and a few others remain. Many of the Alcatraz Island prison buildings are gone. Some burned during the American Indian Alcatraz occupation in the 1960s. The guard's residences, deteriorated beyond repair, were torn down in the 1970s. 

If the hospital area is open during your visit, don't miss it. It's a fascinating look at medical care during the prison's heyday.

To see two San Francisco Bay islands in one day, take the Alcatraz & Angel Island Tour which will also take you to Angel Island .

Alcatraz Island Tickets

The only way to tour Alcatraz is with the company called Alcatraz Cruises, leaving from San Francisco. Other bay cruise companies can take you by, but can't stop.  Find all the details and buy tickets at the Alcatraz Cruises website . Anyone else selling an Alcatraz Island tour is re-selling tickets and may charge a processing fee.

Alcatraz tour tickets sell out fast. The official brochures say tickets sell out as early as a week in advance in the summer and on holiday weekends. When checked on a July Friday, they were sold out until the following Tuesday. 

Tickets not used by hotels are released to the Alcatraz ticket booth just before it opens. Be first in line you may get a same-day tour ticket. Your hotel's concierge or front desk may have tickets. Or consider taking the Alcatraz and Angel Island tour, which doesn't fill up as fast.

The boat ride to Alcatraz takes about 15 minutes each way from San Francisco. Your tour can last as long as you like (or until the last boat leaves).

The Day Tour is the most popular. It includes round-trip transportation to the island and the audio tour.

The Night Tour includes extra activities — and is slightly more expensive. Taking it allows more time to visit other sights that close earlier, maximizing your sightseeing time. The only downside is that a few areas that are open during the day close after dark.

Get Ready to Visit Alcatraz

Most visitors spend at least a few hours on Alcatraz. Snacks and water are essential to keep everyone from getting "hangry" or thirsty.

If you don't know much about Alcatraz, stop to see the 17-minute introductory video before you go up the hill. You can also read up on these interesting facts about Alcatraz before you go and  explore the fascinating history of the Alcatraz lighthouse .

Watch the Clint Eastwood movie "Escape from Alcatraz" for a glimpse of how the prison operated during its busiest period.

Tips for Visiting Alcatraz

Pick up an audio tour and use it. You'll get a lot more out of what you're seeing. Pay attention to the audio directions. Otherwise, you could end up gabbing away with your friends and not able to figure out where you should be going. If that happens, ask a ranger or tour guide for help.

If you miss your boat, don't despair. The ticket office can direct you to the standby line for the next one.

To see Alcatraz, you'll walk — a lot. It's easy enough if you're in reasonably good shape. They offer a tram to get you up the hill, but you still have to walk after you get there. 

The boats are quiet, clean and smooth riding. The trip is short. But if you need a Dramamine just to sit on the dock and watch a boat bobbing up and down, take your favorite remedy. 

Those white spots all over the island aren't paint. Rangers say several people a day acquire a "white badge of honor" as a gift from a seagull. DON'T look up if you hear birds. Also, watch where you put your hands to avoid touching those same white splotches of yucky stuff.

The gift shop has some very stylish and clever souvenir items. They also sell the book "Hollywood Alcatraz" which details all the films made at Alcatraz and where their scenes were filmed.

Alcatraz Tour Review

In a poll, more than 2,000 Tripsavvy readers rated Alcatraz, 48% rated it awesome and 10% great. However, 26% gave it the lowest rating.

Alcatraz is likely to bore children under the age of five and is more fun for kids who are old enough to understand what it is.

On the plus side, the views of San Francisco and the bay are eye-popping. History buffs enjoy Alcatraz. So does anyone who's seen the movies about it and feel like it's a must-see. The audio tour is one of the best anywhere, using voices of actual guards and prisoners to tell the prison's story.

On the downside, it takes almost half a day to go there and back. If your trip to San Francisco is short, that may be more time than you want to spend on one activity. And it smells like bird poop during spring seagull nesting season.

Getting to Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island San Francisco, CA National Park Website

Alcatraz Cruises leave from Pier 33. If you've been to San Francisco before, be aware that the ticket booth and departure dock moved several years ago.

To drive, follow signs for Pier 39. Pier 33 is a few blocks east. You can find more than a dozen commercial parking lots within a five-block radius. Street parking isn't practical because the meters have a two-hour limit and you'll be gone longer than that.

If you're staying in San Francisco, take a taxi, use a ride-sharing service or public transit. Muni's F Line runs past Pier 33 and the Powell-Mason cable car stops nearby. Find more ways to get around San Francisco .

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Alcatraz Tours Review: Is The Day Or Night Tour Worth It?

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: September 2, 2020

Alcatraz Island has a story so intriguing that it draws in over 1.5 million visitors each year. But are the Alcatraz day and night tours worth your valuable time and money ?

In short, the answer is yes. But you are not here for the short answer.

San Francisco is not a cheap place to visit and with limited time to explore, you need to know exactly how to spend your time and money wisely.

Not only have we been to San Francisco multiple times, but we have personally visited Alcatraz for both a day and night tour on separate occasions.

You can consider us experts when it comes to helping determine which of the Alcatraz tours is for you.

Let’s dive deeper into what you can expect and why the tours of Alcatraz are worth putting a dent in your San Francisco travel itinerary.

Alcatraz Island Fact File

City : San Francisco

State : California

Nickname : The Rock

Prison Opened : August 11th, 1934

Prison Closed : March 21st, 1963

Annual Visitors : 1.5 million tourists

Prisoner Capacity : 336 (never reached max capacity

Famous Prisoners : Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Robert Stroud, Whitey Bulger, The Anglin Brothers

History Of Alcatraz

Much like the air of mystery that surrounds the entire Island of Alcatraz, the history of the San Francisco Bay and the buildings of Alcatraz make for a dramatic story.

Fort, military prison, maximum security federal penitentiary and freedom all play a role in the colorful narrative of the eerie, forbidding and isolated island a mile offshore in the center of the San Francisco Bay.

Grab a comfy seat and a bit of popcorn because this one is going to a doozy. But our guide is loaded with photos and we hope to inspire you to visit this interesting part of US history someday.

The Founding Of Alcatraz Island

Juan Manuel de Ayala was the first man to sail into San Francisco Bay and lay eyes upon what is now Alcatraz Island.

When the Spanish explorer mapped the bay in 1775, he named the tiny island Alcatraces. At this time, this word meant ‘Gannet’ in relation to the North Atlantic seabird.

But over time, the original name Alcatraces was anglicized to Alcatraz. There has been debate about the exact meaning of Alcatraz, but this term typically refers to a ‘pelican’ or ‘strange bird.’

This term seemed to fit as Brown Pelicans are extremely common in the San Francisco Bay area.

The name Alcatraz feels slightly less sinister now you know it means Pelican, right?! You can ignore this fact if you want the name to retain its mystique.

Use As A Military Fort

Following the Gold Rush and booming of San Francisco in the 1850’s, the US military built a fortress at the top of Alcatraz to protect the bay from naval invasion.

On June 1st, 1854, the Alcatraz Light became the first lighthouse built on the West Coast of America. By the late 1850’s, Alcatraz had received its first military prisoners.

No shots were ever fired from the enormous cannon at Alcatraz fortress and its requirements as a defensive installation become obsolete.

The US army demolished Alcatraz fortress in 1909 and military prisoners at the time built what would become ‘the Rock.’

Punishment To Fit The Crime

Following rampant crime in the 1920’s and 1930’s, Alcatraz was the perfect symbol for the Department of Justice to show its citizens they were taking crime seriously.

The prison was categorized as maximum security as well as minimum privilege and opened in 1933.

Alcatraz would be the new home for those who were incapable of reform or who had gained culture repute.

Native American Occupation

Alcatraz prison was finally closed on March 21st, 1963 after almost 30 years of operation. Its closure had nothing to do with escape attempts (which we will get into later) and everything to do with finances.

It simply just wasn’t cost effective to maintain the prison any longer. Following the closure of Alcatraz prison, the island was left deserted and abandoned for 6 years.

In 1969, a group of Indigenous activists known as ‘the Indians of All Tribes’ occupied Alcatraz and raised awareness of the troubles they faced.

Support for Natives grew throughout their 19 month stronghold on Alcatraz until they lost control and buildings were burned down. Federal Marshalls intervened and removed all people from Alcatraz in 1971.

Alcatraz Museum And Tours

In 1973, Alcatraz was opened to the general public as a museum under the National Park Service and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

You can visit the official Alcatraz NPS website for more information.

Alcatraz remains one of the most popular park service sites and receives over 1 million visitors each year.

Travel Tip : If you collect the National Park Passport Stamps , be sure to pick up your stamp on Alcatraz island. There are two stamps to collect, one for the Alcatraz Island Lighthouse and one for the Golden Gate Recreation Area .

How To Get To Alcatraz From Pier 33

There is only one way you can reach Alcatraz Island as a tourist and that is from Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing.

Google Maps Location for Pier 33 .

Pier 33 is located halfway around San Francisco’s Embarcadero, between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ferry Building.

Alcatraz Cruises owns sole rights to ferry crossings from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island under contract with the National Park Service.

It’s not worth looking into chartering a private boat to access the island because you won’t be able to enter the museum.

Pier 33 is also equipped with an accessibility drop off zone for those with special needs.

Alcatraz Tour Parking

If you are planning on driving your own vehicle with the aim of parking nearby, be warned there is no parking available directly at Alcatraz Landing.

You may be lucky to find on-street parking in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, but it can be extremely difficult to find. Every parking space also has a parking meter which won’t give you enough time for your Alcatraz tour.

Another option is a commercial parking lot. There are 15 commercial lots with 3,000 parking spaces within a 5 block radius of Pier 33.

The closest commercial parking lot is 80 Francisco at Kearny about one block away across the Embarcadero from Alcatraz Landing.

However, the best way to get to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is by foot or using public transport. The historic San Francisco streetcars of the MUNI F Line run right past Alcatraz Landing.

Planning to visit more of California? Don’t miss our popular guide featuring 23 stops along the legendary Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to San Diego .

4 Types Of Alcatraz Tours

Alcatraz is open for tours every day except Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s day.

When you purchase an Alcatraz tour ticket, the time on the ticket will correspond to your Alcatraz Ferry.

Each Alcatraz Ferry departs for the day from Pier 33 daily about every 30 to 60 minutes beginning at 8:45am for the Early Bird Tour. Keep in mind times will vary depending on the time of year.

There are 4 different types of tours available at Alcatraz Island. Each tour will have a varying cost, access and privileges.

You can choose between the following 4 Alcatraz tours:

• Alcatraz Day Tour (Early Bird included)
• Behind The Scenes Tour

Alcatraz Night Tour

• Alcatraz & Angel Island Tour (currently unavailable)

Next, we will briefly discuss the Alcatraz Ferry schedule followed by a description of each Alcatraz tour.

The last sections of this guide will then walk you through exactly what to expect on both a day and night tour to Alcatraz. We hope to point out the major differences between these Alcatraz tours.

Ferry Schedule For Alcatraz Tours

The Alcatraz ferry is run on a winter and summer schedule. The early bird tour always begins at 8:45am no matter the season, but the summer season will have more ferry crossings later in the day when the daylight is longer.

Alcatraz Summer Ferry schedule

This summer ferry runs from mid-March to mid-October.

• Early Bird Tour : 8:45am (considered a day tour)
• Day Tour : 9:10am, 9:30am, 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:00pm, 1:30pm, 2:10pm, 2:40pm, 3:20pm and 3:50pm
• Behind The Scenes Tour : 4:20pm and 4:50pm
• Night Tour : 5:55pm and 6:30pm (Tues to Sat)

Alcatraz Winter Ferry Schedule

The winter schedule for the Alcatraz Ferry is very similar just with modified service. The winter ferry runs from mid-October to Mid-March.

• Day Tour : 9:10am, 9:30am, 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:05pm, 1:35pm
• Behind The Scenes Tour : 2:10pm and 2:40pm
• Night Tour : 3:50pm (Tues to Sat)

You can also check the Alcatraz Ferry Departure schedule on the City Cruises official website.

Alcatraz Day Tour

The Alcatraz day tour is a 2.5 hour long tour option which gives you the chance to freely explore Alcatraz Island on your own. A round trip ferry service to Alcatraz Island is included in the ticket.

As you investigate Alcatraz, rangers are stationed throughout the island to help assist visitors and answer questions.

There are many interpretive signs and exhibits scattered around the island to keep your interest. You can also attend the cellhouse audio tour or a themed special program to learn more about Alcatraz.

The Alcatraz day tour includes:

• Doing Time: The Alcatraz cellhouse audio tour 
• Admission to the Alcatraz cellhouse and permanent exhibit ‘The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States’
• Entrance to outdoor spaces such as Eagle Plaza, the Recreation Yard, the Sallyport, and the Rose Garden
• Entrance to the New Industries Building highlighting influential Occupation of Alcatraz by Indians of All Tribes
• Close up views of the exteriors of the Cellhouse, Building 64, Warden’s House, Water Tower, Officer’s Club and Model Industries Building

Day tour tickets for Alcatraz begin at $42 for adults and $25 for children (5-11).

During the Alcatraz Night Tour, you get a little more bang for your buck. But the night tour is only available Tuesday to Saturdays.

Similar to the day tour, a round trip ferry service to Alcatraz Island is included in the ticket. However, you will enjoy a narration on the ferry as the boat takes a special route around Alcatraz Island.

At the dock, you are greeted by a park ranger or docent for a personalized guided tour straight from the dock to the cellhouse. During this guided tour, you will learn about the history of Alcatraz and the people who have lived there.

After the guided tour, you can choose to attend the cellhouse audio tour, explore the additional special exhibits or explore the island on your own.

The Alcatraz night tour includes:

• Doing Time: The Alcatraz cellhouse audio tour
• Optional full length programs and exhibits
• Docent guided tours and talks
• Ability to watch the sunset from Alcatraz Island

Night tour tickets for Alcatraz begin at $53 for adults and $31 for children (5-11).

Alcatraz Behind The Scenes Tour

The behind the Scenes Tour of Alcatraz is a unique opportunity and limited to a maximum of only 30 people.

This 1.5 to 2.0 hour small group tour is led by a National Park Service Ranger or expert historical educator.

The behind The Scenes tour is a great way to capture unusual photos and explore many areas that are off limits to the general public as you hear stories about Alcatraz.

After the tour you will also have the chance to explore the island further.

The Alcatraz Behind The Scenes Tours includes:

• Optional programs and exhibits throughout the island
• West side views from Alcatraz Island facing San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge

As a Behind the Scenes Tour guest, you have the two options after your tour. You can extend your time on Alcatraz Island by joining the night tour or you can return to San Francisco on any departing vessel from Alcatraz.

Please note if you choose to stay for the night tour, you will be on Alcatraz Island for about 5 hours. There is food available on the Alcatraz ferry, but not on the island. You will need to plan accordingly.

Behind The Scenes tour tickets for Alcatraz begin at $98 for adults and $94 for children (5-11).

Alcatraz And Angel Island Tour

This 5.5 hour tour offers a round trip ferry to Alcatraz and Angel Island as well as an audio guided tour and an Angel Island Tram tour.

Unfortunately, this the Alcatraz and Angel island Tour is currently unavailable due to health and safety reasons.

Alcatraz Island Tickets

City Experiences are the official provider of Alcatraz Island Tour tickets. The best way to book Alcatraz tickets is directly with City Experiences on the official website.

However, a combination tour is an extremely popular option if you want to see everything San Francisco has to offer. Each tour we mention is an authorized seller of Alcatraz Cruises through City Experiences.

Here are several top rated San Francisco tour options which include an Alcatraz Tour:

• Alcatraz Ticket + 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Night Tour – Explore the island of Alcatraz and enjoy 2 days of sightseeing with insightful commentary from a live guide.
• Small Group Tour: Alcatraz, San Francisco and Muir Woods with Lunch in Sausalito – See everything in one day… the main sights in San Francisco, a lunch break in Sausalito, a walk around Muir Woods and the Official Alcatraz tour in the afternoon.
•  Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket – Walking tour to top attractions including Ghirardelli, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 followed by Alcatraz.
• Alcatraz Inside and Golden Gate Bridge Express Visit – Combine visits to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge into one day.
• Golden Gate Bike Tour and Alcatraz Ticket – Explore San Francisco by bike and visit Alcatraz for two tours over the course of two days.
• San Francisco City Tour and Alcatraz Ticket – Climb aboard an air conditioned coach for a 4-hour guided tour of San Francisco then board a ferry and sail to Alcatraz Island.
• Alcatraz Island and SF Madame Tussauds – This two in one pass includes ferry transport to Alcatraz Island and access to the island itself as well as admission to the world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum.

Walkthrough Of Alcatraz Island Day Tour

We don’t want to give too much of the Alcatraz day tour away so instead of going into great detail, we will simply give you an idea about what you can expect. You can then determine if this is the tour for you.

We took the Alcatraz day tour in the fall of 2019 and while the tour has slightly changed with one way systems after the pandemic, the day tour experience has remained the same.

Welcome to the Rock!

Upon arrival to Alcatraz Island, you will disembark and find a crowd amassed outside of Building 64.

Also known as Residential Apartments, this 3 story ex-military barracks and prison officer accommodation was the first building to be built on Alcatraz.

Next, a guide or park ranger will explain important information for your visit before you can explore freely. Be sure to listen so you can find out which special programs are available for the day.

You also want to take note of the boat schedules at the dock or in the cellhouse. You need to know when to be back at the dock to catch the return ferry.

Pick a reasonable time to break away from this group otherwise you will be in a very long line for an audio tour headset once you reach the old shower room.

Travel Tip : After you hear about the special programs for the day, beeline it for the cellhouse audio tour so you can spend the rest of your time exploring the island (you will see plenty of signs directing you where to go).

The Alcatraz Prison Tour Begins

Walk up and around the slaloming walkway as you head straight to the main prison entrance. There should be a sign outside stating the start of the cellhouse audio tour.

This will be your first real taste for the prison of Alcatraz. As you cast your eyes on the rusting grey-blue metal doors, you will immediately feel your insides crawl and shudder.

Once inside, make your way to the long narrow and very open shower room. Imagine taking a shower with some of the most hardened and creepy criminals in the history of the United States.

“Hey Mr. Scarface, could you please pass me the soap?”

Line up here until you reach the front to pick up your audio headset which is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Mandarin.

This is where your Alcatraz tour will officially begin. But if you are interested in any of the special programs taking place, you will need to consider your timing.

The cellhouse audio tour runs on a one way system and you should have time to finish this audio tour before any of the special programs take place.

But if you have any questions about timing, feel free to ask the rangers how you should schedule your time. The rangers and guides are incredibly helpful.

We attended two special programs during our Alcatraz day tour:

• Sounds of the slammer
• Escape attempts

Personally, we enjoyed the special programs more than the audio tour because the guides telling the stories were extremely animated. There was also a small Q&A section at the end for any questions you many have.

Sounds Of The Slammer Special Program

The Sound of the Slammer special program discussed a typical cell in Alcatraz along with the different prion blocks.

Alcatraz housed four main cell blocks (A,B, C and D) each with three tiers of cells. Some cells in Alcatraz measured no more than 9ft by 5ft wide.

Imagine a bed, toilet and sink inside those tiny dimensions. This certainly doesn’t leave a lot of room for maneuvering.

Cell blocks B and C were the longest rows and contained the most cells. In between cell blocks, each corridor was a given a famous street name such as Broadway, Michigan and Park Avenue.

Cell block D is where misbehaving prisoners were sent. If they had a particularly serious offence, they would find themselves in one of the six segregation cell units, also known as ‘the Hole.’

Each hardened steel cell door was operated by a series of levers and mechanisms located at the end of that particular row of cells.

Individual or multiple cells (not necessarily next to each other) could be opened at the same time using this mechanism at the end of each row.

This was innovative technology at the time, replacing the traditional lock and key method.

We enjoyed the Sounds of the Slammer because this program discussed the opening and closing of cell doors. But it also included a practical demonstration plus stories from during and after the operation of Alcatraz prison.

Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to open the cell door using bed sheets and a wheel to lasso the level like Sean Connery in the Rock !

Escape Attempts Special Program

Alcatraz was officially dubbed the ‘inescapable island’ but there were a series of attempts.

Did anyone make it our successfully? Well, that still reamins a mystery.

Are you a romantic who wants to believe that someone managed to escape, despite the fact they were in prison for committing a serious and heinous crime?

Or are you a firm believer of facts, logic and physics that suggest no one made it out alive?

The escape attempts special program takes place in the dining hall next to the cell house. If this talk is on during your visit, do not miss it.

This special program was the highlight of our Alcatraz day tour thanks to some fantastic storytelling by the park ranger who led the program.

As you can see, the room was packed full of tourists utterly engrossed in a wide semicircle.

In a nutshell, there were 14 escape attempts made by a total of 36 inmates throughout Alcatraz prison history. Some of the stories are sad while other stories are downright hilarious and full of ingenuity.

We will not divulge any more information here so you can hear all about these crazy stories for yourself when you visit.

Or if you can’t wait, you can read more about each escape attempt here in detail.

Views From Alcatraz Island

For the rest of our Alcatraz day tour, we spent our time exploring the island on our own.

Sections of this tour include walking around external areas, such as Alcatraz Lighthouse. You can also explore the recreation yard and parade ground after the audio tour has finished.

But remember you are in the center of San Francisco Bay, which means you have 360 degree views around the entire Bay Area.

Depending on the time of day and positioning of the sun, you can snap photographs of Oakland Bridge, San Francisco city and of course, the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge.

But don’t expect Alcatraz to be one of the better views of the Golden Gate Bridge, instead you will need to head one of these 5 best photography locations .

Further Reading : Is the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Los Angeles worth it?

Walkthrough Of Alcatraz Island Night Tour

We returned to San Francisco in October 2022 to take the Alcatraz night tour. We loved the day tour so much we just had to experience Alcatraz at night as well.

After experiencing the Alcatraz night tour ourselves, we can confirm the night tour is a slightly different experience compared to the day tour. But just like everything, each tour had its perks.

We took the Alcatraz night tour on October 11th which falls during the seasonal change schedule (Oct 11th to Nov 5th).

This time of year is the best of both worlds because we had the chance to explore areas usually closed at night due to increased lighting from daylight savings time.

A Better Ferry Experience

The first thing we instantly noticed about the Alcatraz night tour was the impressive narration on the ferry as we sailed to Alcatraz Island.

During the entire trip, we learned about the history of San Francisco and Alcatraz. Without giving much away, this narrative is certainly worth a listen.

On a side note, we were starving when we arrived to Pier 33 for our night tour because we had been relentlessly exploring San Francisco. So we tried the snack bar on the Alcatraz ferry.

To be honest, our hot dogs were pretty good and fairly priced considering we were on a tour.

We were also able to fill up our reusable water bottle on the ferry so be sure to bring one and fill up if needed. Water on the ferry is not cheap, yikes.

The ferry had many snacks available and while the line was quite long, it moved quickly.

Already a great start to our Alcatraz night tour!

Circling Alcatraz Island

Another highlight of the night tour, before we even docked on the island, was the route the ferry took after leaving Pier 33.

We completed a full circle around Alcatraz Island which is not done on the day tour. The narration on the ferry also explained additional parts of the island we had not previously learned about.

This is where you will look for sea caves near Alcatraz Island which may be have been important in one prisoners escape.

Look closely at the buoys in the water because you may get a glimpse of a sea lion sunning himself.

Audio Tour And Special Programs

There was only one boat on the island during our entire night tour which was a welcome relief from the large crowds you can experience during the day tour.

The boat was divided into two groups with the first group heading one way on the island and the other group heading another way on the island. Each group had about 100 people.

Our tour guide met us right by the dock and we had a short intro to the island with stops in multiple locations. This small guided tour took about 20 minutes and we ended at the entrance of the cell house audio tour.

Similar to the day tour, we picked up our audio guide headsets in the shower room and listened to the familiar voices once again.

When we ended our audio tour and handed in our headsets, we were met by a docent who was was about to give a special program in just a few minutes.

Perfect timing, we stayed for the special program and chatted with the park ranger. We won’t be disclosing the special programs on the Alcatraz night tour so you can be completely surprised.

The best advice we can give you is to speak with the rangers and tour guides because they always know the ins and outs of the island.

Following our own advice, the ranger we spoke to gave us some great advice about how to maximize our time on Alcatraz island. However, this won’t pertain to every night because programs and experiences are constantly changing.

As long as you attend the cellhouse audio tour, one or two special programs and spend a little time exploring in your own, you have done extremely well. Anything else will be a bonus!

Bonus Hospital Entrance

In between the two special programs we chose to attend, we learned the old Alcatraz hospital was to be opened at 5:30pm which is an area we had never seen.

So we hot footed it to the hospital just in time to see the the rememntats of the Alcatraz operating room, exam rooms, pharmacy and sick wards.

As former scientists , we enjoyed seeing how the hospital operated. This experience alone was certainly worth our visit.

More Time To Explore

Another great part about the night tour is you have a little more time to explore the island compared to the day tour. So even after our audio tour, two special programs and the hospital visit, we still had time to visit a few other areas.

Many of the same outdoor sections were open, but it was interesting to see the buildings on Alcatraz light up as the sun started to set on the horizon. The colors in the sky were just starting to become bright pink and orange.

At this point, we started to watch our time a bit more closely because we certainly didn’t want to be spending the night on the island if we missed the ferry.

Sunset On Alcatraz

Our ferry was scheduled to leave the dock as the sun was setting behind the Golden Gate Bridge. This night tour was the perfect ending to a day in San Francisco.

After we both had boarded the ferry back to Pier 33, we asked one another if the Alcatraz night tour has been worth it.

What do you think we said?!

Are The Alcatraz Day And Night Tours Worth Your Time And Money?

Yes, both the Alcatraz day and night tours are worth your time and money.

Personally, we have to say we were genuinely surprised by how good the Alcatraz day and night tours are put together. We had high expectations but they were easily surpassed.

We would recommend the Alcatraz night tour over the Alcatraz day tour for 5 reasons:

• Onboard ferry narration
• Ferry circles around entire Alcatraz island
• Smaller tour sizes make for an intimate experience
• Ability to see San Francisco bay as the sun sets from Alcatraz Island
• Chance to explore bonus areas often closed to general public

But if you can only fit one Alcatraz tour into your schedule, the day tour is still a great option.

While the prices of the Alcatraz tours appear to be a little on the steep side, we think the price point is fair considering everything you get.

Be sure to attend at least one of the special programs on the day you visit to make the most of your Alcatraz experience.

Famous Inmates At Alcatraz

Last but not least, we have to mention the famous inmates once held in this prison.

Many inmates at Alcatraz were relative unknown as were sent to the ‘supermax prison of the 30s’ because they were escape threats or committed serious offences at other prisons.

However, some inmates were of higher renown and gained a reputation through popular culture in years to follow their time on the Rock.

Here are some of the most famous Alcatraz inmates:

• Al Capone – Gained notoriety as the modern day Robin Hood while making millions in bootlegging illegal alcohol. Nicknamed ‘Scarface’, Capone let the Chicago mob outfit during prohibition but was jailed on tax evasion offenses after being named public enemy #1.
• Robert Stroud – Nicknamed ‘the Birdman’, Stroud only became famous when a movie called Birdman of Alcatraz was made. But he never actually kept any birds at Alcatraz, he kept 300 birds in his cell at Leavenworth, Kansas. A dangerous murderer, Stroud was in jail from 19 years of age until his death in 1963.
• George Kelly – A model inmate at Alcatraz, ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly was only transferred to the Rock after half joking with guards at Leavenworth that he would escape in time for Christmas. His joke was taken all too seriously. Kelly was imprisoned for kidnap and is believed to have only turned to crime because his wife pushed him into it.
• Alvin Karpis – In prison for conspiracy to kidnap, ‘Creepy’ Karpis was a near genius IQ member of the Barker-Karpis Gang along with fellow inmate ‘Doc’ Barker. They would rob banks, gunning down anyone who stood in their way. Karpis spent 26 years on Alcatraz, more than any other prisoner.

Alcatraz In Popular Culture

Before visiting Alcatraz, you might want to watch some of these old movies to get in the mood:

• Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
• Point Blank (1967)
• The Enforcer (1976)
• Escape From Alcatraz (1979)
• The Rock (1996) – Our personal favorite!
• The Book of Eli (2010)

Even the Harry Potter Franchise created by JK Rowling features Azkaban prison which can only be based on one place…

Alcatraz Island Photos

We took hundreds of photos on Alcatraz Island during our day and night tour.

This next section is nothing but photos from Alcatraz Island to further peak your interesting about this fascinating area.

What Is It Like To Visit Alcatraz Today?

Alcatraz has changed several times over the years, from fort to military prison and from maximum security federal penitentiary to tourist attraction.

Now, Alcatraz is run by the National Park Service and the Island hosts hundreds of visitors every day who are curious about its colorful history.

If you’re wondering what it is like to visit Alcatraz now, there’s only one way to find out!

Can I Go To Alcatraz Without A Tour?

It is extremely difficult to go to Alcatraz without a tour. While Alcatraz id open to public tours, the docks at Alcatraz are only available to one ferry line, Alcatraz Cruises run by City Experiences.

The only way the public can visit Alcatraz is by purchasing a tour ticket and taking on of the official ferries to the island.

Alcatraz FAQ’s

Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about Alcatraz Island and tours.

Contrary to popular belief, Alcatraz prison was shut down due to financial reasons. Millions of gallons of fresh water had to be shipped to Alcatraz weekly and eventually the government decided it would be cheaper to just build a new prison!

The water around Alcatraz Island has an average temperature of around 54°F (12°C) with little variation that would prove challenging for escapes. However, avid open water swimmers do swim across the bag regularly.

Yes, there have been several escape attempts from Alcatraz. You should book an Alcatraz tour to hear the details of these very escapes.

Yes, there are sharks around Alcatraz but usually only Leopard sharks. Man eating Great Whites are frequently found nearby in the Pacific Ocean and rarely venture into the SF bay. That being said, there is footage of Great Whites close to Alcatraz. Would you swim the channel?

If you booked a day or night tour, you should plan on 3 hours for your total visit to Alcatraz.

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We hope this review for both the Alcatraz Day and Alcatraz Night Tour helps you plan your time in San Francisco!

Please let us know if you have any question about the Alcatraz Tours or San Francisco in the comments below.

Happy Planning ,

Mark and Kristen

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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

6 thoughts on “Alcatraz Tours Review: Is The Day Or Night Tour Worth It?”

Thank you so much for this post! I didn’t realize the website I almost bought tickets on was not the official tour company, so I saved money and was able to book the behind the scenes tour that the website I was looking at said wasn’t available!

You’re very welcome, Elizabeth. We hope you have a fantastic trip to San Francisco and enjoy the Alcatraz tour!

Alcatraz is easily one of our favorite San Fran attractions. We’ve been 2x. I’m always blown away by the walking tour. Absolutely love the step by step information. I always highly recommend visiting Alcatraz.

Yes we thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Alcatraz and would do it again. Highly recommend for first time visitors to SF!

Alcatraz seems like a great place to visit, so much history in one place. It must of been a harsh place to serve time but also to work, not your average commute.

You’re right, not a typical commute! We were worried the Alcatraz tour wouldn’t hold up to our expectations but it did with room to spare. Definitely recommend it if you get a chance to visit San Francisco.

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Alcatraz Day Or Night Tour – Which Is Better?

Planning a trip to San Francisco and wondering which is better, the Alcatraz day or night tour?

As one California native and frequent travelers to the state, we’ve got all the expert info on San Francisco and Alcatraz prison.

While both the day and night tour of Alcatraz are good and definitely worth doing, there are advantages and disadvantages to each option (though our favorite was the night tour).

➡️ Our Top Pick: For last minute Alcatraz tickets or just a combo tour of the prison and San Francisco, we recommend Dylan’s Tours .

🌉 Overview: Alcatraz Day Or Night Tour?

👉 We spent time out on Alcatraz island during our last Northern California visit so we can share all the differences between the day and night tour, pros & cons of each, what to expect, and tour & last minute ticket options for the prison.

✅❌ Alcatraz Day VS Night Tour (Pros & Cons)

There are pros and cons for both the day and night tour options on Alcatraz, so which one is better comes down to personal preference . Both are consistently busy, but each has its own perks.

🌞 Alcatraz Day Tour Pros & Cons :

• Early mornings (first boat) are less crowded
• Explore the island for as long as you want
• Tickets are slightly cheaper
• Sometimes warmer outside
• Peak visitors at midday
• Can’t access same areas as night
• Less spooky in the sunlight

*️⃣ Tip: During the day, it’s better to do the Alcatraz tour in the early morning vs afternoon to avoid the largest crowds (unless you plan on staying through to the night ferries).

🌚 Alcatraz Night Tour Pros & Cons :

• Spookier at night
• More access to other parts of the prison
• Fewer tickets sold
• Beautiful SF city light views on the way back
• Better picture opportunities when waiting to be one of the last to start the audio tour
• Less time to explore the island
• Much colder
• Tickets are more expensive
• Tickets sell out fast

*️⃣ Tip: The Alcatraz tour (day or night) is better and less crowded during the middle of the week, Tuesdays through Thursdays, compared to weekends or holidays.

👉 Alcatraz is worth visiting day or night, but we think the night tour is best to access other parts of the prison, avoid the largest crowds, and have a beautiful, spookier setting at the prison.

🌁 What To Expect On The Alcatraz Tours

Besides a few modern updates like bathrooms and a gift shop, it looks like nothing has changed at Alcatraz prison and it’s definitely one of the most interesting places to tour in San Francisco (day or night).

🌞 What To Expect On The Alcatraz Day Tour :

• Depending on where you’re staying in SF , you can walk, cable car, or Uber to Pier 33 where the Alcatraz tour (both day and night) starts
• Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure to get in line and get a good spot on the ferry (outside at the front of the boat is best for views)
• The ferry ride from Pier 33 to Alcatraz takes about 15 minutes
• Off the boat, a short guided tour starts as everyone walks uphill to the main prison (there’s a decent amount of walking at Alcatraz)
• Once inside, the whole tour is a self guided audio tour done by former guards and prisoners (it’s very interesting)
• After the audio tour, wander open areas until the last ferry leaves (but at least 3 hours is recommended)

*️⃣ FAQ: The Alcatraz day or night tour includes a roundtrip ferry, self guided audio tour, access to all open areas, and the permanent exhibit (The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States).

🌚 What To Expect On The Alcatraz Night Tour :

• Like the day tour, the Alcatraz night tour also leaves out of Pier 33
• Alcatraz night tours start in the winter at 3:50 pm, and in the summer at 5:55, 6:30, and 7:05 pm (we suggest eating dinner before to be able to explore the island until the last ferry leaves )
• The Alcatraz ferry ride, short guided tour, and self guided audio tour are all the same at night as day
• After the audio tour, explore until the last ferry leaves and see other areas of the prison (they had the hospital open when we visited)
• As crowds head back, the island gets even spookier as it empties out, and though it’s not “scary”, the eerie feeling is why we prefer the night tour

*️⃣ FAQ: The Alcatraz self guided audio tour, day or night, is about 35 minutes long straight through (though we paused it often to look more deeply at things).

🪨 Best Alcatraz Tour

Alcatraz tickets should definitely be purchased in advance, they often sell out (especially night tours), but for those that can’t get them ahead of time or need them after they’ve sold out, there are options .

Normal pre-purchased tickets for Alcatraz are sold through City Experiences (all others go through a middleman) while combo tours, last minute tickets, or sold out dates can be bought through tours ⬇️.

⭐️ Alcatraz Tour Tickets:

• San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito, and Alcatraz add on
• Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge Express (cheapest option)
• Private San Francisco with Alcatraz add on
• Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz pass by tour (Golden Gate or whale watching type tours pass by Alcatraz but don’t tour the island)

🤑 Alcatraz Tour Ticket Prices :

The cost for just an Alcatraz tour ranges from about $45-100 depending on time and type. Last minute or combo tour prices range from $100 to $400 depending on the type of city tour.

📔 Alcatraz History (Know Before You Go)

While the Alcatraz audio tour explains plenty about the prison, it makes the tour (day or night) even better with some extra knowledge :

• Alcatraz was where the worst of the worst ended up, but what really made it so bad was the isolation (we went in “the hole”, the hospital wing, and the “mentally ill” room and could see how that’d make someone crazy)
• Guards and other prison employees did live on Alcatraz with their families
• The Birdman (Robert Stroud) was one of the worst prisoners at Alcatraz

• Al Capone was moved from Atlanta to Alcatraz prison in 1934
• Aside from sharks, the cold temperatures, strong currents, and long distance to shore made swimming out of Alcatraz almost impossible
• No one knows if the 3 Alcatraz escapees survived , but some believe they may have gotten away with it
• There are no prisoners still serving time at Alcatraz, as the prison shut down for good in March of 1963

*️⃣ Tip: For more info, watch Alcatraz movies like Escape From Alcatraz , Birdman of Alcatraz , and Murder in the First before a day or night tour.

🔁 Wrap Up: Alcatraz Day Or Night Tour?

Both the Alcatraz day tour and night tour are worth doing, but we personally prefer the night tour because it’s spookier, there’s more access to other parts of the prison, the city light views are beautiful, and less tickets are sold.

Haley is the owner and author of Fernweh Foreigner, a travel blog that helps users explore the world while eating healthy & staying active. When she isn't writing blog posts about her favorite destinations, she is out playing or watching soccer, getting inspired by books & film, or cooking (because there is so much cooking with a clean lifestyle!)

15 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Alcatraz

By: Author Laura

Posted on Published: 8th October 2018  - Last updated: 12th January 2024

Categories USA , Travel

If you’re planning a visit to San Francisco then you need to schedule a trip to Alcatraz into your itinerary. Alcatraz Island sits just 1.25 miles away from San Francisco Bay and is famous for its past as a federal prison for America’s worst criminals.

Between the years of 1934 and 1963, Alcatraz was home to criminals such as:  Al Capone, Bumpy Johnson, Robert Franklin Stroud (the “Birdman of Alcatraz”) and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. The island is now a National Historic Landmark visited by over one million people each year.

I was fortunate enough to visit the island on my recent trip to San Francisco with tickets provided by DiscoverTown Tours . Here are my top tips for visiting Alcatraz Island, which cover the essential things you need to know. 

Disclosure: My tickets to Alcatraz were provided by DiscoverTown Tours . As always, all opinions are 100% my own. 

You’ll need to book tickets in advance

Alcatraz tickets can sell out very quickly in busy periods so if you’re planning on visiting Alcatraz in the summer then you’ll want to make sure you get your tickets well in advance. The best place to buy tickets is directly from Alcatraz Cruises as this is the cheapest option.

There are multiple different tour options including a day tour, a night tour, a combined ticket to both Alcatraz and Angel island and more. If it turns out the tickets are sold out via Alcatraz Cruises , then the next step is for you.

Last minute tickets are available, but expensive!

If tickets are sold out on the Alcatraz website, the only way to get them is through third parties, who sell package tours. These are authorised re-sellers so the tickets are perfectly legitimate however they will always tack on extras which can quickly rack up the price.

If it turns out that Alcatraz tickets are sold out on Alcatraz Cruises then a good option can be to purchase a package such as a two-day bus tour of San Francisco and the Alcatraz tour . At least this way you get to add on something useful to your trip as you won’t need to think about transport in San Fran. 

Check out these great package deal options below:

Remember to Bring Your ID

The person who made the booking will need to bring their ID to pick up the Alcatraz tickets on your allotted day. This ID will be checked against the ticket again when you join the queue for the ferry.

If you made the booking, don’t forget your ID or you won’t be able to get on the boat! It’s best for the rest of your party to bring ID too as they often wish to verify the ID of all guests over the age of 18.

Bring layers – no matter the weather!

Even if you’re visiting in the summer months, you’ll need to bring some layers for your visit to Alcatraz. The ferry from San Francisco’s Pier 33 to the island takes around 10-15 minutes but that is more than enough time for you to get very, very chilly.

If you thought the winds of San Francisco bay were frosty then wait until you get onto that ferry! As an island, Alcatraz can get very windy and very cold, despite the sun, so make sure to wrap up warm. Doubly so if you’ve booked onto the Night Tour!

The guards (and their families) lived on Alcatraz too!

Can you imagine growing up on an island like Alcatraz? To play outside a federal prison with the USA’s most troublesome criminals? It seems crazy but the guards and their families used to live on Alcatraz too. Of course, they had separate quarters from the prisoners but their movements were still limited by the fact that they were living on an island fifteen minutes away from the shore.

RELATED: 14 Things You Didn’t Know About San Francisco

They were free to go back to and visit San Francisco any time they wanted but it wasn’t at all convenient. The families living on the island all became quite close to each other during their time there but the guards’ accounts tell of some (understandably) difficult times.

You will learn much more about this on the tour and you can see the area in which the guards and their families used to live. 

You can stay on the island for as long as you like

You can stay on the island for as long as you want on your allotted day (until closing that is!). There are ferries going back and forth between San Francisco and Alcatraz island at regular intervals throughout the day and you can hop on any one of these ferries back, provided there’s space (more info below). However, most people tend to spend two to three hours exploring Alcatraz. 

The ferries back fill up fast!

You’re guaranteed a place on the ferry on your way over to Alcatraz since you book a specific time slot. However, that’s not the case on the way back. As I said above, you can stay on the island for as long as you like.

Therefore you can catch any ferry you like back to San Francisco. However, if you want to guarantee a place on your desired boat back then you need to leave yourself plenty of time to get down to the dock.

During busy times, you can’t just rock up at the dock right before the ferry is due to leave and expect to get a place on it. There are often large queues and you would do well to leave yourself half an hour (at least) to wander from the main prison, down to the dock, to wait for the ferry. 

Book the Alcatraz Night Tour

If you’ve got a choice, definitely opt for the Alcatraz Night Tour. It’s slightly more expensive but a hell of a lot creepier which really adds to the prison tour experience! You might not get the same views of San Francisco on the ferry over but you do get to see San Francisco lit up at night, which is equally incredible.

If you’re lucky, you might even find that you’re on the island when the sun sets and there’s a fantastic viewing platform as part of the prison tour from which you can view this. 

When I was on the island there were two extra talks about the lives of two lesser-known prisoners, which were given in complete darkness. The tour guide used his torch to light up a select number of pictures he’d printed off and the whole thing was made more chilling by the torchlight. The Alcatraz Night Tour really is a must! 

RELATED: 25 Fun Things to Do in San Fran at Night

Look out for extra tours and talks

There are often extra tours and talks going on Alcatraz island so check to see if there are any specials on your allotted day as soon as you arrive.

Your tour guide should give you a heads up as to what’s going on when they give the introductory tour but if you forget what they’ve said don’t worry!

When you get to the end of the self-guided audio tour, there should be notices about what else is going on. 

The tour of the prison is a self-guided audio tour

There is an introductory tour of the island as soon as you arrive on Alcatraz, which lasts about thirty minutes. However, once you are in the main prison building, you are left to take yourself around the prison with an audio guide.

This self-guided tour of Alcatraz means you can go as fast or as slow as you like. There are lots of different chapters so take your time to really explore each part of the prison before moving onto the next part. 

The audio guide is narrated by ex-guards

What makes the audio guide really exciting is that it is narrated by ex Alcatraz guards. The guide is peppered with first-hand accounts from guards and they offer some truly fascinating insights into their lives of the prisoners on the island, as well as their own.

As I mentioned, these guards had to live on the island along with their families and the prisoners!  

You’ll learn who their favourite prisoners were, what the prisoners were like on the inside and whether they lived up to their reputations as the worst criminals in the American system. 

You’ll get amazing views of San Francisco

At one part of the tour, you’ll be guided out to a platform from which you get amazing views of San Francisco. Pause here and take lots of photos. You can see the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the tall towers of San Francisco.

If you’re on the night tour you might be lucky enough to see the sun set during your tour. When I was the island, the sky turned a beautiful shade of lilac as the sun set and it made for great photos. You can also appreciate the natural beauty of the island and its many inhabitants (birds!). 

There’s a bookshop on the island

I couldn’t not mention the bookshop on Alcatraz island for all my fellow literary travellers! You’ll find lots and lots of books about the history of Alcatraz and its inmates in the bookshop at the end of the audio tour, which are great for further reading.

The audio tour covers so much material but when I left the island I was keen to find out more about its inmates and guards. Most of the books are non-fiction but honestly, most of the stories I’ve heard about Alcatraz inmates are more exciting than some of the crime books I’ve read! 

There are also lots of Alcatraz souvenirs including t-shirts, postcards, mugs etc. There are even replica trays, uniforms, cutlery and more, which I found a little macabre but to each his own.  

Alcatraz Island is home to a thriving colony of birds

Whilst there are no longer any human inhabitants on the island, the island now has a thriving colony of birds.

If you’re a fan of bird-watching then look out for these seabirds: pigeon guillemots, cormorants, Heermann’s gulls, and western gulls. Sometimes there are even harbour seals on the island! If you miss these, however, there are plenty of seals to be found at Pier 39. 

There are no food options on Alcatraz

There are no food options on Alcatraz Island, which is something to bear in mind if you’re taking a tour round about lunch or dinner time.

Cheekily, there are some food and drink options on the ferry on the way back, to catch out the hungry tourist. I didn’t take a look at these options myself but I assume they are overpriced and very average.

San Francisco has so many amazing food options so either bring a light snack or sandwich you can munch on the ferry or be prepared to wait until you get back to shore for decent food. Check out my post on the top things to do in San Francisco for lots of food options! 

Where to Stay in San Francisco

If you liked this post, check out these: Top 50 Things to Do in San Francisco 14 Fun Facts About San Francisco 25 Things to Do in San Francisco at Night A Guide to Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood Tips for Visiting California on a Budget

Editor of What’s Hot?

Wednesday 27th of November 2019

Wow, I thought it was very interesting that you said that because the tour is narrated by ex-guards, you can learn who their favorite prisoners were. My sister and I are trying to plana new sister's trip for this upcoming year, and we think that visiting prisons could be really interesting. We should figure out if there are night tours offered in Alcatraz that could help us get more in the mood.

James Borst

Friday 1st of November 2019

My wife and I are thinking of going to Alcatraz while we are visiting San Francisco this summer. It is interesting that you can get a narrated guide with accounts from guards that actually worked there. We may pay for a professional tour so we don't miss anything.

Alcatraz Tours: Day, Night, and Behind the Scenes – Which is the Best Way to Visit The Rock?

Alcatraz Island is known worldwide for its infamous federal prison that formerly housed some of the most notorious criminals of the 20th century. It’s lesser known for the national park unit that now protects, preserves, and shares these stories, and so many others.

That’s right: Alcatraz Island is a national park unit. It became a part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972, opened to tours in 1973, and it is one of the most unique national parks you can visit.

Haunted by the ghosts of its dark past, Alcatraz Island lures millions of people to its rocky shore every year hoping to get a glimpse of what life was like for notable criminals like Al Capone, Robert Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), Ellsworth Raymond “Bumpy” Johnson and more inside their cramped and secluded cells.

There are three main Alcatraz tours offered to explore Alcatraz Island: the Day Tour, the Night Tour, and the Behind the Scenes Tour. Each tour offers different experiences, along with some similarities, and raises one main question: which is the best?

We’re going to break down all three and give you all the inside information so you can decide which is right for you and/or your group for your trip to the Rock.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, view my privacy policy .

Table of Contents

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Overview

California is teeming with national parks , and a cluster of them are located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Established in 1972 to bring parks to the people of urban settings, Golden Gate National Recreation Area protects numerous diverse ecosystems in and around the city of San Francisco.

It is the third most visited park unit in the country, regularly seeing more than 12,000,000 visitors annually, and for good reason! Sprawling more than 80,000 acres of land, featuring beautiful beaches and captivating coastlines, gorgeous groves of Coastal Redwoods, magnificent military history in old fort structures, and so much beyond, this park is an urban oasis that has something for everyone who recreates here.

There are several individual sites inside of this park, including Alcatraz Island, the Presidio, and more.

The Bay Area features other national park sites outside of Golden Gate as well, like San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Muir Woods National Monument , John Muir National Historic Site, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site, and Point Reyes National Seashore .

Overflowing with opportunities for exploration, education, and adventure, the most highly trafficked of these park sites is Alcatraz Island.   

When to Visit Alcatraz Island

Most people would expect summer to be the ideal time to visit any national park, Alcatraz Island included, but it’s vital to know the weather in San Francisco often does what few would expect.

Here’s a sample of what you might expect during the seasons in San Francisco.

While the temperatures never normally go below freezing, winter in San Francisco often see’s a lot of precipitation and gloomy overcast skies. More than 75% of the Bay Area’s annual rainfall occurs in winter.

Despite the higher rain chances, San Francisco has a very stable climate, and winter can actually be a pleasant time to visit.

The main perk is that the city and its attractions will be much quieter as winter is not peak travel season, and it may be the easiest time to score tickets for Alcatraz.

The early stages of spring have a chance to see some rainy days, but winter eases its grip on the region as spring blooms and bursts into life.

The historic gardens in particular really shine in the springtime, and you’ll be able to beat the onset of the massive summer crowds that are sure to follow.

Summer in San Francisco usually brings the cooler times of the year. While pleasant temperatures/days can and do appear, there is often an overcast of fog and blustery winds.

Locals tend to refer to the summer months as “no sky July” and “Fogust.” It’s common to see a chilly, breezy, overcast morning, with a clearing in the early afternoon, and fog returning by early evening.

Aside from the temperatures, summer on Alcatraz Island is also the fly season. Thousands of pesky flies inhabit the island, attracted to the Brandt’s Cormorants colonies.

These flies are completely harmless, though they tend to be extremely annoying, and many visitors find this to be an unpleasant surprise, but the bottom line is the flies are unavoidable.

If you’re looking for great views from the island, a lack of bugs, and less crowded times, summer may not be the peak time of the year to visit Alcatraz Island.

This is also when tickets tend to be booked up months in advance, so if you are planning to visit in the summer, book as early as you possibly can.

It may seem odd, but Autumn is what most consider to be San Francisco’s true summer season. This is due to an abundance of warmer days and sunnier skies.

Autumn is also the end of the fly season, meaning a much more enjoyable experience in the city, and on Alcatraz Island.

Autumn just may be the best season to visit Alcatraz Island for the warmer temperatures, clearer skies, and dispersing of the summer crowds.

No matter when you visit, you’ll want to keep a jacket with you. You never know when the chill of the Pacific Ocean air will creep in.  

A Brief Timeline of Alcatraz Island History

A majority of the people who come to Alcatraz from around the world tend to have only one thing on their agenda when visiting “The Rock,” and that’s to tour the Alcatraz Cell House.

Yet, when these visitors arrive on the island every day, most are stunned to see Alcatraz has far more layers of history than just an old cell house. 

In the year 1775, ​​Spanish naval officer and explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala became the first man to document the rocky island in San Francisco Bay.

He dubbed a neighboring island, “La Isla de Los Alcatraces” after observing the immense seabird population dominating the craggy isle, but the name was later applied to what we now know as Alcatraz Island, which also is home to large colonies of seabirds.

Decades later, in 1846, the United States purchased Alcatraz Island for $5,000. 

A Civil War Fort

Little known fact: Alcatraz Island did not begin as a prison, but rather as a stronghold created during the American Civil War as a defensive strategy.

You read that correctly: Alcatraz Island began as a Civil War fort, designed to protect the Bay as the Gold Rush ran its course.

The original fortification was designed with bunkers, tunnels, 111 canons, a fort on the summit, and several cells throughout the island to discipline disorderly army recruits, but the original intent was never to become a prison.

As the Civil War ended, and advancing war technology outran the fort’s capabilities, the future of the island seemed uncertain, until the commanding officers realized Alcatraz had great potential as an actual prison.

The island’s citadel was torn down by its then-current military prisoners, who then built the iconic Alcatraz Cell House atop its remaining dry moat and basement.

This was when the brutal military prison era of Alcatraz began, and the legends and lore of the mysterious and horrifying prison on Alcatraz Island were born.

This military prison operated until the Federal Bureau of Prisons took over in 1933. 

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary

Beginning the era the island is most known for, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary opened in 1934. The reign of the federal prison saw some of the most dangerous criminals locked up behind its walls.

Seeking the stories of those men and the conditions in which they lived is what attracts most visitors to the island today.

The federal prison years of Alcatraz Island lasted for a mere 29 years, before rising costs and other factors finally shut the prison down for good, and its remaining prisoners were sent to other institutions to continue their sentences. 

It was over six years after the federal prison closed when Alcatraz Island reclaimed the world’s attention, but as a sanctuary rather than a penitentiary.

Indigenous Occupation of Alcatraz

On November 20th, 1969, a group of Native American activists calling themselves the Indians of All Tribes claimed the island for all American Indians in a fight for Native American sovereignty.

Their protest and plight reached all corners of the world, drawing support for the Red Power Movement and fueling their fight for over 19 months.

When the occupation dwindled and came to an end on June 11th, 1971, the world wondered, What would come next for Alcatraz Island?

National Park Service

And what came next was the birth of a new national park attraction. Alcatraz Island was added to Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972 and opened to tours in 1973. 

Today, visitors come in search of answers to questions about this mysterious place, then discover this place truly is so much more than just a notorious old prison.

It takes advance planning to get to what’s been called “the most infamous island in the world.” Step one of your trip to The Rock is securing tickets to the island.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Sticker

Tips for booking alcatraz tour tickets.

Book With the Correct Company

First, you want to make sure you’re buying tickets from a legitimate source. Alcatraz Island is federal land, and those allowed to dock on its shores are strictly supervised.

Simply put, no random person is allowed to drive a boat up to the island, and not every Bay cruise company has permission to come.

PRO TIP : There are several different vendors that will promise you “the Alcatraz experience,” but be wary; there is only one concessionaire company authorized to sell real Alcatraz tickets and to bring visitors to Alcatraz Island: Alcatraz City Cruises.

Whether you’re trying to book a Day Tour, Night Tour, or Behind the Scenes Tour, you need to purchase your tickets online from Alcatraz City Cruises . You can also call (415) 981-7625 to make your reservation.

If you purchase tickets from another source claiming to be “Alcatraz Island Tickets,” you are risking buying tickets that will not actually get you to Alcatraz Island, but possibly just a boat ride around it.

Some third-party sellers will actually buy and resell tickets from Alcatraz City Cruises, but for a hiked-up price. There’s usually no way to know if the risk you’re taking will actually pay off and get you on any of the Alcatraz tours.

We know it’s tempting to try to outsource because it’s common to see Alcatraz tickets “sold out” on the City Cruises website, but just be aware you may not make it to the island.

Check Current Conditions

Check the island schedule before you book. Generally, it is open daily from about 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. but is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

It’s also a good idea to check Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s current conditions and the weather .

Fees and Park Passes

For National Park Pass holders, your annual pass is not a ticket for Alcatraz Island. You will need to purchase tickets from the authorized concessionaire to bring you to Alcatraz.

Why is there no discount? There is actually no park entrance fee to visit Alcatraz Island. You are paying for the boat ride over and the audio tour. Your annual pass does not grant you a discount for these non-entry fee purchases.

Reserve Tickets as Early as Possible

Here’s the best and most important tip for securing Alcatraz tickets : BOOK EARLY!

Tours are often sold out weeks or months in advance. Especially during the busy summer season, tickets tend to be sold out several months ahead of time.

If you’re trying to book last minute, your best chances will always be on weekdays or in slower travel seasons like winter.

Are Alcatraz walk-up tickets available? Are there ever last-minute tickets?

The short answer is maybe. There are times when hopeful visitors are able to buy walk-up Alcatraz tickets from the ticket booth on Pier 33.

This is not a guarantee, though, and more often than not, people are turned away. If you’re planning to gamble on the chance of being a walkup, prepare to be disappointed. 

Lastly, if you check Alcatraz City Cruise’s website early enough, and plenty of tickets seem to be available on your preferred date, don’t hesitate! Buy them at that moment. There is a strong chance they will sell out.

Don’t risk missing out on your chance to tour Alcatraz Island. Buy them as early as you can.

Comparing the Different Alcatraz Tours

Each of the three Alcatraz tour experiences can be vastly different, with some similarities. Knowing the details of what each offer will help you choose which tour is right for what you want to get out of your visit to Alcatraz Island.

Every Alcatraz Tour Includes: 

• A round-trip ferry ride from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island
• Access to the award-winning Alcatraz Cell House Audio Tour (available in 11 different languages)
• Optional, free park ranger/docent-led programs and/or walking tours
• Entry into other island exhibits, like the award-winning “The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States” Cell House exhibit
• Free access to use S.E.A.T, the accessibility tram that can take anyone with mobility needs or health conditions to the top of the island should they need it
• The option to participate in the Jr. Ranger Program and earn an Alcatraz Jr. Ranger badge

Alcatraz Day Tour

Alcatraz Day Tour Rates :

Adults : $42.50

Children (ages 5-11): $25.80

Juniors (ages 12-17) $42.15

Seniors (ages 62 and up): $39.80

Family Pack (2 adults and 2 children): $123.10

The most common and easily accessible of the Alcatraz tours is the Day Tour, and while this may seem unexciting compared to the Night Tour and the Behind the Scenes Tour, this particular adventure offers nothing short of incredible opportunities on Alcatraz Island. 

During the daylight hours, Alcatraz Island gives off an entirely different impression from what one may think. The true beauty of the island is in full sight during the daytime. This includes the chance to explore and truly appreciate the colorful flowers and diverse plants of the historic gardens.

You’ll also see the breathtaking views of the City of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco Bay, plus the chance to observe nesting seabirds all across the island. 

Once you arrive at Alcatraz and step off the ferry, you’ll be greeted by a park ranger who will give a mandatory orientation to the island and will tell you all of the things you can experience on your day there, like what exhibits are open, which programs are happening and when, etc.

Some days, programs may not be offered on the island due to low staffing or other reasons, so there is never a true guarantee for walking tours or programs on the Day Tour. If you see a park ranger, know they’re happy to answer any question you may have about the island and its history.

From there, you get to decide how you want to organize your time on the island. More sections of the island are open to the public throughout the day as opposed to the Night Tour and/or the Behind the Scenes Tour.

If you want to go straight up to the cell house for your audio tour, you can. If you want to take some time and explore different parts of the island, you can do that as well. 

Alcatraz Island has so much to offer during the day, and visitors spend an average of 2-4 hours on the island. You can make your trip last as long as you want.

Return ferries will run throughout the day, and you’re free to choose any boat at whatever time you wish to return. 

Certain sections of the island are only open during the day, and these places are inaccessible to those who go on the Night or Behind the Scenes tours, like the North Road and upper level/exhibits inside the New Industries Building (the workshop where the prisoners of the island were sent to work labor jobs).

As of September 2022, the exhibits inside include one that educates about prison labor while the other commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Native American Occupation of Alcatraz (installed in 2019), though these exhibits are subject to change. 

The two best features of the Day Tour are that these tickets are the cheapest option to visit Alcatraz, and they provide you the most freedom to explore more of the island on your own and at your own pace.

Book official Alcatraz Day Tour tickets

Alcatraz Night Tour

Alcatraz Night Tour Rates : 

Adults : $52.70

Children (ages 5-11): $31.00

Juniors (ages 12-17) $51.55

Seniors (ages 62 and up): $49.00

When the sun starts to set, a creeping feeling of the mystique of Alcatraz Island and its dark past comes to life. The cell blocks barely illuminated by a darkening sky give visitors the true sense of the desolate feelings of Alcatraz prisoners who were trapped behind the bars.

The Alcatraz Night Tour offers its guests a firsthand look at the gloomy cell house at dusk and dark. 

When you make it onto Alcatraz Island for the Night Tour, the boat you’re on will be divided into large groups (usually up to 100 people), and you’ll exit the boat with whichever group you find yourself in.

Your group will be greeted by a guide (either a park ranger or expert tour guide), and they’ll guide you up the hill to the infamous cell house telling you stories along the way.

You cannot leave the group and go on your own; you must stay with your group until you get all the way to the top of the hill.

Once your group makes it to the main prison entrance, your guide will depart and leave you to take the Cell House Audio Tour. 

After the groups finish the audio tour, the real fun of the Night Tour begins. Unlike the Day Tour, when you may or may not have ranger/docent-led programs throughout the day to choose from, the Alcatraz Night Tour is chock full of different talks and walks you can attend.

Visitors have the option to check out various topics, like daring escape attempt stories, history talks, and everything in between.

Don’t forget to take some time and explore the West Road of the island to try to catch the sun setting over the Golden Gate Bridge!

You do have the option to traverse down the hill on your own when you’ve had your fill of adventures, but there are also guided treks down if you’re looking for more stories to hear along the way.

If you go on your own, keep in mind you’re in for a straight shot back to the dock area, as sections and paths on the island open during the Day Tour remain closed at night for safety reasons. 

When you look at the Day Tour compared to the Night Tour, the key difference is the freedom to explore more of the island vs. having more interpretation of the island and its stories from an expert guide. While programs like this can be available during the Day Tour, you are guaranteed them at night.

You’ll also have the chance to see Alcatraz Island settle down as the sunlight fades and the darkness takes hold of the infamous and spooky island.

Book official Alcatraz Night Tour tickets

Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour

Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour Rates : 

Adults : $97.70

Juniors (ages 12-17) $93.55

  Seniors (ages 62 and up): $91.00

The hardest Alcatraz Island tour to obtain is, without a doubt, the Behind the Scenes Tour, and it’s for good reason, too.

These tickets may be the most expensive of any tour option, but you’ll also get the most bang for your buck.

The Behind the Scenes Tour allows you to not only experience the lesser seen parts of Alcatraz Island but to really dive in-depth into the stories of this place through the experience of an expert guide in a small, intimate group. 

Limited to a group size of 30 or less, your tour will start right as you step off the Alcatraz ferry and are greeted by your guide. Your guide will either be a park ranger or an expert tour guide.

From there, you’ll be brought to several exclusive areas of the island, like the last remaining communication tunnel, the lower level of the industries building, the prison chapel, a gun gallery overlooking the cell blocks, the A-Block of the prison, the citadel (often called the “dungeons”) and the prison hospital (some of these areas, like the hospital or the A-Block, may open during the Night Tour, but there is never a guarantee).

The exclusive access you get to these secluded areas as well as the unforgettable stories you’ll hear from your guide are just the beginning of this tour. 

After you’ve visited all these exclusive areas, you will have the option to leave on an earlier departure ferry or stay on the island for longer.

If you need to get back to San Francisco for other reservations or you’ve just had enough, that early departure ferry is a nice option.

Should you choose to stay, you’ll also get to experience all the features of the Night Tour.

This makes for a longer time (an additional two hours at least) spent on Alcatraz Island, but it is absolutely worth it to experience the most of what you can get out of your Alcatraz Island tour tickets. 

You’ll get to do the famous Cell House Audio Tour and get involved in other programs given throughout the Night Tour as well. 

All-in-all, the Behind the Scenes Tour can be a hefty time commitment and a pricey ticket endeavor, but it’s undoubtedly the best way to experience the private and closed-off sections of Alcatraz Island that very few people get to see.  

Book official Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour tickets

The Verdict: Which is the Best Alcatraz Tour?

Every tour of Alcatraz Island offers something exciting, and no matter which you choose, you’ve made a good choice.

It can be hard to say which Alcatraz Tour is truly the best, as they all offer something special and exciting for anyone who’s able to secure tickets, and it really depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. 

If we had to pick one overall, we’d say the best tour you can take on Alcatraz Island is the Behind the Scenes Tour. This not only allows you to get a firsthand experience viewing areas that are not open to the general public, but you’ll also get to partake in the full Night Tour experience as well (audio tour included).

It gives you the most of Alcatraz and the most guidance on the island, and it’s an experience well worth the price of admission.

It is important to remember the Behind the Scenes Tour, because of its limited space, is often sold out months in advance. Walk-up tickets are never available for this private tour of the island.

If you’re hoping to snag a spot on an upcoming date, start trying to book as early as you can for your best chance to go. 

If you don’t manage to book a spot on the Behind the Scenes Tour, remember the Alcatraz Day Tours and Night Tours are also incredible ways to visit an incredible island.

The Day Tour offers you the most openness and freedom to explore the island, and the Night Tour will offer you the most stellar stories and guidance into The Rock’s past. 

Pin Our Guide to Alcatraz Island Tours

Alcatraz Island is a fascinating and haunting place in our national park system. The stories and legends about this place are sure to make any visit to the island unforgettable.

A little time spent planning your trip in advance can mean the difference between seeing the island from afar, or actually stepping ashore and getting to dive head first into an endlessly fascinating place. 

Have more questions about visiting Alcatraz Island, Alcatraz tours, its history, or more? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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Top 10 tips for visiting alcatraz island.

NPS / Will Elder

Plan Like a Park Ranger:

• Plan Ahead - Alcatraz Island is a incredibly popular destination. Reserve, relax & enjoy the island. Purchase tickets ahead of time to make the most of your visit. Tickets during the summer can sell out months in advance. If you cannot find tickets for your date, consider checking back. Cancellations can and do occur, and those tickets become available in real time.
• Know Before You Go - Restrooms and food service are both limited on Alcatraz Island. Restrooms can be found at the dock and at the top of the island adjacent to the cellhouse. Lite snacks and bottled water can be purchased in the bookstores , but no other food service is available on island or on the ferries. Eating, drinking, and smoking, with the exception of bottled water, is only permitted at the dock.
• Check the Weather - Summer weather on Alcatraz is unpredictable and liable to change unexpectedly, so be prepared by bringing along a light jacket or sweater no matter how nice the day starts out. Cold, foggy mornings may give way to sunny afternoons, which in turn can shift quickly back to more fog and blustery winds.
• Dress Comfortably - The walk up to the cellhouse is a quarter mile in distance, involving an elevation gain equivalent to climbing a 13-story building. Wear comfortable shoes. An accessible tram is available for those with mobility needs.
• Charge Up & Download - Consider downloading the National Park Service Mobile App before your visit. Charge up your cellphone and pack earbuds or headphones for listening to the Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour.
• Ask a Ranger - Park Rangers love to talk and are happy to answer whatever questions you may have. Find a Park Ranger at the Dock Ranger Station, at the New Industries Building , or roving around the island.
• Get Out & Explore - There is a lot to see on the island besides the Cellhouse. Make sure not to miss the Red Power on Alcatraz: Perspectives 50 Years Later exhibit found in the New Industries Building or take a stroll through the Alcatraz Gardens .
• Go Bird Watching - Summer on Alcatraz is bird nesting season. While some parts of the island close for nesting waterbirds , this time of year provides great opportunities to see these birds and their young. Consider packing binoculars for the best viewing experience. Remember, please do not feed or disturb any of the wildlife.
• Become a Junior Ranger - Want to learn even more about your parks and earn cool badges along the way? Ask for a Junior Ranger Book at at the Dock Ranger Station or print one out at home in.
• Alcatraz is Not an Island - Alcatraz Island is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area , an 80,000 acre national park site situated in an around San Francisco. Additionally, we are only a short walk or drive from San Francisco Maritime Naitonal Historical Park , Fort Point National Historic Park , Muir Woods National Monument , John Muir National Historic Site , Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site , Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial , Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Point Reyes National Seashore .

While you're planning your summer vacation, consider taking some time to check out Top 10 Tips for these parks and so many more.

Recreate Responsibly:

Golden Gate National Recreation Area asks visitors to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees.

Some park sites have modified operations for facilities and programs, including potential closures, at areas that cannot adhere to this guidance. Where it is safe, outdoor spaces will remain open to the public.

The health and safety of people visiting and working in the park is our number one priority. We continue to urge visitors to do their part when visiting the park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

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Alcatraz Island

Last updated: February 12, 2024

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What To Expect During a Tour of Alcatraz in San Francisco

Alcatraz Island is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history and true crime. Take advantage of the many opportunities to take photos while touring the prison, exploring the island and admiring the scenery. Plan to allow 2-3 hours for your visit, including the round-trip ferry ride. Here’s what you can expect during a tour of Alcatraz:

The Ferry Ride to Alcatraz:

Your tour begins with a 15-minute ferry ride from Fisherman’s Wharf to Alcatraz Island. During busy summer months, plan to arrive 45 minutes prior to your ferry departure at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. Ferries run every 30-40 minutes to and from Alcatraz. Enjoy stunning views of San Francisco Bay and the city skyline during the short trip. 

Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour

The highlight of the tour is the Cellhouse Audio Tour, which is included in the admission tour price. Get an in-depth look at the history and daily life of Alcatraz. Listen to the audio tour as you walk through the cellblocks and other areas of the prison and its grounds.

The History of Alcatraz

Alcatraz was originally a fort, a military prison and later (1934-1963) became a maximum security federal penitentiary. During the tour, learn about its history as a prison, including its infamous reputation as the most secure prison in the world. Alcatraz officially closed as a federal penitentiary in 1963. It reopened to the public as a tourist attraction in 1973.

The Cells and Famous Alcatraz Prisoners

Learn about the famous prisoners who were housed inside Alcatraz (see picture below). They included: Al “Scarface” Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Arthur “Doc” Barker, Alvin “Creepy Karpis” Karpavicz, Robert “The Birdman” Stroud, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, and Meyer “Mickey” Cohen . Getting an up-close look of the cells was our favorite part of the tour.

Stand Inside an Alcatraz Cell

Not only can you look inside the cells while walking through the cell block, you can actually go inside a few of them and peek out behind the bars – and imagine what it felt like to be imprisoned. It’s a chilling feeling!

Infamous 1962 Prison Escape

A few of the cells have re-created the scene from the infamous June 1962 prison escape (pictured below). See replicas of the dummy heads (made of soap, cement and paint) that prisoners Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin  made under their blankets in their beds. Check out the holes they carved out in the walls (under the sinks) where they crawled out of their cells through the small vents. Once out of their cells, they scaled the utility corridor to the roof and slid down a stove pipe to the shoreline. From here, they escaped into the night, never to be heard of again. 

The Yard, Lighthouse and Panoramic Views

The Yard and Recreational Areas

Stroll through the prison yard and see the recreational areas where the prisoners spent their free time. What struck us as we were touring the prison, was what it must have felt like for the prisoners looking out from the windows and the prison yard – and seeing the glistening bay, the city skyline in the distance, and hearing the sounds from San Francisco drifting across the water.

The Lighthouse and Gardens

Visit the lighthouse and the gardens on the island for a look at the beauty and nature of Alcatraz. Before you leave, stop by the gift shop to pick up any Alcatraz souvenirs, books and memorabilia.

Famous Alcatraz Movies

A tour of Alcatraz is a unique and fascinating experience that provides a glimpse into the history of the United States and the criminal justice system. If you’re a movie buff, stream two of the most popular Alcatraz movies: “The Birdman of Alcatraz ” (1962) and “Escape from Alcatraz” (1979). 

Alcatraz is open 362 days a year. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Be sure to book well in advance, especially during peak Summer and tourist season. The island closes at 6:30pm in the Summer and 4:30pm in the Spring, Fall and Winter. Night Tours are also available. 

We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. Expect a steep 1/4 -mile walk from the dock to the cell house at the top of the island. We got quite a workout! If the walk is too strenuous, you have the option of taking an electric shuttle that runs once every half hour. Be sure to dress in layers, especially during Summer months when San Francisco’s famous fog may roll in over the bay and and it can get quite chilly. 

Book your tour today and see for yourself what makes Alcatraz one of San Francisco’s top tourist attractions.

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What to Expect: Alcatraz

When we visited San Francisco this summer, one of the top things on our list was visiting Alcatraz.  But we really didn’t know what to expect.  We have visited many historic sites, forts, homes and museums, but this was our first visit to a historic prison.  If you are planning a visit to Alcatraz with your family, here are some tips from our experience so you will know what to expect.

This post includes affiliate links.  Some discounts were received for the purpose of this post. 

What to Expect:  Alcatraz

Visiting Alcatraz is more than just a visit to a former prison.  It is a full experience with the boat ride out to the Island and some of the most amazing views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.  

To visit Alcatraz, you must make reservations and secure your tickets here.

You board your tour boat from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, located along San Francisco’s northern waterfront promenade.

There are umbrellas, picnic tables, and benches so you can wait until time to get in line for your tour.  There is also a cafe so you can buy snacks if you don’t have any in your backpack.  Restrooms are available off to the side before you get on the boat although there are restrooms on the boat and island as well.

You must board the boat with the tour time you purchase.  But you may return at your own convenience.  The tour guides will help you understand the return schedule.  It is nice to be able to pick your return time based on how long you choose to spend touring Alcatraz Island.

The ride out to Alcatraz Island is not long but is beautiful.  You can sit inside the boat if you prefer to be out of the wind, or you can sit on the outer levels for the best views.

When you arrive at the Island, you are given a brief overview of Alcatraz by a Park Ranger.  You can choose to take a self guided tour, or stay with the Ranger for a narrated tour. 

Accessibility Note:   It is a significant climb from where you unload the boat to the actual prison at the top.  There is a park tram that will take you up the hill for those with difficulties walking, but once you arrive at the prison, there is still going to be much walking and some stairs to climb in the actual prison.  

As you climb the hill to the main prison where you will begin your tour, take time to enjoy the beautiful gardens and scenic view of the city and bay.

When you arrive at the main prison building, I highly recommend you pick up the audio tour headset.  This is a free narrated tour that is included and helps you understand the history of Alcatraz.

You can start and stop the audio tour based on how quickly you want to progress through the prison.  Each stop on the tour will tell you where to go next so you can follow along and learn about each part of the facility.

When people hear that we visited Alcatraz, the first question we get is “ Was it Creepy? ”  The answer is yes and no.  It’s not creepy to tour Alcatraz, but it is eerie.  Everyone is listening to their headsets so when you take off your earphone, it is very quiet.  To walk the corridors of the prison and hear nothing but the occasional whisper or the loud clang when one of the rangers opens or shuts a door for a tour, that is the eerie part of the experience.  So much history occurred on this island and the more you learn, the more you understand how it felt.

One of the audio tour stops is the recreation yard. If you have seen any of the movies about Alcatraz, you will recognize this area immediately.  But the thing that movies don’t convey is the smell.  There are so many sea gulls in the recreation area that the smell is overpowering.  We didn’t stay out here long!

*Allow yourself at least 3-4 hours for your tour of Alcatraz.  

Find Alcatraz

Directions and Parking

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Looking for more things to do in San Francisco?  

Check out what you can experience in 12 hours in San Francisco ! 

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Ooh this is awesome!! My first thought was wow so many people I wonder how loud it is…then I continued reading! 🙂 That’s awesome that it’s so quiet and adds to the eeriness of the experience. I’d love to go when there’s no one there… I wonder if they do overnight tours!

They do have overnight experiences! https://www.nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/upload/form-alcatraz-overnight-2010.pdf . I am not signing up for that overnight tour. I’m too chicken. But you and Katie should do it! I’d love to hear how it goes!

That’s so cool! Very intense process though, we just might have to toss our name into the lottery and see what happens! lol

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Alcatraz Tour Prices | Which Alcatraz Tickets Should You Buy?

This guide covers how to visit the prison on Alcatraz Island and what to expect with each ticket option.

We include what you will see, what to do if Alcatraz tickets are sold out, which tours are the best, and how to find deals on admission.

As local walking tour guides , questions concerning Alcatraz Prison are posed to us on just about every tour.

So, we used our expertise in answering these questions to help create this post.

• Alcatraz Island Tickets
• Sold Out Tickets
• Deals and Ways to Save
• Other Boat Cruise Options

Alcatraz Tours Compared

• Things to Do in San Francisco

ALCATRAZ TICKET OPTIONS

While several entities are authorized to offer Alcatraz tickets for sale, there is only one company authorized to visit Alcatraz Island and provide an official Alcatraz tour: Alcatraz Cruises.

Though several boat tour companies offer guided commentary on the island as they cruise past it, none are allowed to dock there.

Private boats are also prevented from landing on the island.

There are 5 ticket/tour options. We list 4 in the next section below . Click here for a detailed explanation of the night tour ticket .

NOTE: Free Tours by Foot does not offer tickets to Alcatraz Island. Please follow the links on this page for help organizing your tickets.

You could buy your tickets through Alcatraz Cruises or with any of a number of sightseeing tour companies in San Francisco that offer Alcatraz Island as part of a combination ticket .

The National Park Service provides a Cellhouse Audio Tour that is included in the cost of your ferry ticket.

Hear the tales of Machine Gun Kelly, Al Capone (Scarface), and even Robert Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz) as you drift closer to the island.

At your own pace, you can follow in the footsteps of former prison guards and inmates.

This tour is very well done and worth the time.

The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour (also an audio tour) is available in English, Spanish, German, Mandarin, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, and Portuguese. The tour is also provided in Braille in English.

You can even experience the audio tour right now.

Early Bird Tour

Beat the crowd, be the first one on the island during the less busy, Early Bird Tour.

Includes a ferry ride to and from Alcatraz (20 minutes each way), a self-guided audio tour of the prison lasting 45 minutes, and time for self-exploration of the grounds.

Most guests typically spend about 2 hours on the island. Departs from Pier 33.

Ticket Prices:

• Adult (18-61) - $45.25
• Junior (12-17) - $45.25 (must be supervised by an adult)
• Senior (62+) - $42.65
• Child (5-11) - $27.55 (must be supervised by an adult)
• Toddlers (4 and under) - Free
• Family Pack (2 Adults + 2 Kids) - $131.85
• Get tickets or learn more .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alcatraz City Cruises (@alcatrazcruises)

Reviews of the Early Bird Tour: 

Alcatraz is one of the most popular attractions for tourists visiting San Francisco, so it's no surprise that it comes highly rated on TripAdvisor.

The Early Bird Tour is ideal for early morning risers as it allows visitors to beat the crowds and still have a free afternoon to pack with other fun activities.

In fact, the Early Bird Tour is so popular that there are only 4 and 5-star reviews written about it. TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.  

The Day Tour has the same content as the ‘Early Bird’, but with higher attendance rates and 12 departure opportunities.

You won’t be alone on the island as you self-explore during these times!

Departure Times (from Pier 33) | April - Early October

8:45 am, 9:10 am, 9:30 am, 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 11:00 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:10 pm, 2:40 pm,  3:20 pm, 3:50 pm

Departure Times (from Pier 33) | Late October - March

8:40 am, 9:20 am, 9:45 am, 10:10 am, 10:35 am, 11:00 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm, 1:05 pm, 1:35 pm

Reviews of the Day Tour:

Identical to the Early Bird Tour but with a later start time, the Day Tour is also very well-liked by most guests.

Don't be disappointed with the fact that this is an audio tour!

"Doing Time" is an award-winning audio tour that is described by some visitors as the "best audio tour possibly worldwide" and the "highlight of the tour."

Negative reviews are rare and usually come from guests who find the island too crowded.

If you're worried about this, opt for the Early Bird Tour instead! TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars. 

Behind the Scenes Tour

The Behind the Scenes Tour offers guests a much more intimate look into the history of Alcatraz.

The tour includes everything offered in the Early Bird and Day Tour, such as the ferry ride to and from Alcatraz (20 minutes each way), a self-guided audio tour of the prison lasting 45 minutes, and time for self-exploration of the grounds.

In addition, it offers a personally guided small group tour that lasts approximately 2 hours and takes guests “off the beaten path” and “behind the scenes” of Alcatraz.

Also included are special programs and presentations offered by staff as part of the Alcatraz Night Tour, which lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

This is advertised as a "physically strenuous tour" that lasts between 4-5 hours in total.

Alcatraz Cruises suggests that guests eat before the tour, as there is no food service on Alcatraz. Departs from Pier 33.

Departure Times (from Pier 33) :

4:20 pm from mid-April until mid-October | Tuesday - Saturday

2:15 pm from mid-October until mid-March | Tuesday - Saturday

View this post on Instagram A post shared by City Experiences (@cityexperiences)

Ticket Prices: 

• Adult (18-61) - $101.30
• Junior (12-17) - $97.10 (must be supervised by an adult)
• Senior (62+) - $94.25
• Children (under 12) -  not applicable. This tour has a minimum age of 12 due to its lengthy duration.

Reviews of the Behind the Scenes Tour:

This is the perfect tour for those hoping to really maximize their time on Alcatraz.

Though reviews of this tour are limited, they are all extremely positive and praise the tour for offering such thorough insight into the history of the prison.

A really fun tour, but be sure to bring snacks as it's a long day on the island and there are no food and beverage facilities.  TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars. 

Alcatraz Cruises offers night tours of the island, departing twice a day, Thursday through Monday.

Departures for the night tours leave from Pier 33.

Be sure to check out our post on other things to do at night in San Francisco.

Night Tour (Tuesdays - Saturdays at 5:55 pm and 6:30 pm)

This tour offers more features than the Early Bird Tour and Day Tour for a little extra money.

On the night tour, you receive a narrated boat ride to the island to learn more about the history of Alcatraz, before it was a prison.

You also receive a guided tour from a specially trained National Park Ranger.

Additionally, Alcatraz Prison hosts special talks and lectures during the evening tours that are not offered during the day.

The 6:30 pm (18:30) departure time limits your time allowed on the island. The last ferry leaving Alcatraz departs at 9:25 pm (21:25).

Winter hours are at 3:50 pm from Tuesday - to Saturday.

They also have a holiday schedule from Late November to early January which includes an additional time slot at 4:45 pm.

• Adult (18-61) - $56.30
• Junior (12-17) - $55.10 (must be supervised by an adult)
• Senior (62+) - $52.25
• Child (5-11) - $33 (must be supervised by an adult)
• Learn how to get the night tour .

Reviews of the Night Tour:

The Night Tour of Alcatraz is especially highly rated as it includes perks not otherwise included in the daytime tours.

For example, visitors of the Night Tour comment on the added pleasure of seeing the skyline and two bridges on a clear evening as they return to the mainland, as well as visiting the hospital and cell lockdown.

Though this is not a ghost tour, some guests report that they found the Night Tour to be a bit creepy, especially when visiting the solitary confinement area.

However, most seem to think the experience is more educational and interesting rather than scary, so it really just comes down to personal preference! TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars. 

How scary is the Alcatraz night tour?

Alcatraz is a national park and not a spooky place, so there is nothing to feel frightened about.

That said, many people have reported an eerie feeling when walking around the prison after dark.

Is the Alcatraz night tour better than the day tour?

Visitors can view areas of Alcatraz prison that are typically off-limits during the day on the Alcatraz night tour.

However, the majority of Alcatraz Island's outdoor activities and viewpoints are inaccessible during the night trip.

So It all depends on your personal opinion.

How long does the night tour take?

Night tours last for around 2.5 - 3 hours.

Alcatraz & Angel Island Tour (Seasonal)  

This is a combination tour that visits 2 of the most well-known islands in the Bay Area: Alcatraz and Angel Island.

The tour includes the ferry ride to and from Alcatraz and Angel Island, a self-guided audio tour of the prison lasting 45 minutes, and a one-hour narrated Tram Tour of Angel Island.

The total tour lasts approximately 5.5 hours and departs from Pier 33.

NOTE: This tour option is not currently available, but it might be offered again in the future.

• Adult (18-61) - $78.65
• Junior (12-17) - $78.65 (must be supervised by an adult)
• Senior (62+) - $76.40
• Child (5-11) - $52.40 (must be supervised by an adult)

Reviews of Alcatraz & Angel Island Tour: 

Though only offered seasonally, this tour is also extremely popular with guests who want to experience Alcatraz but also witness the beautiful scenery available on Angel Island.

Many reviewers write that they opted to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on Angel Island after their Alcatraz visit - making for a perfect afternoon!

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.  

HOW TO BUY TICKETS:

There are 3 options to purchase tickets to Alcatraz Island. There is also a chance for standby tickets .

This section will provide details about each ticket option and tips on which options you might want to choose.

1. Buy Direct Tickets

First, you can get tickets directly from the Alcatraz Cruises website . This is the most common way to purchase.

Unless you are planning on purchasing a bus, bike, or boat combo ticket , this is also the most affordable option.

We recommend that you get your tickets at least 90 days in advance, as they tend to sell out very quickly during the busy season (summer and holidays).

If tickets are sold out, there are some other ways to get tickets. Read our section below .

2. Get a Combination Package

Second, you can also obtain a ticket to Alcatraz as part of a combo package with other tours, such as a hop-on-hop-off bus, popular attractions, and/or for a day trip to Muir Woods or Wine Country.

These combo packages are an excellent option for anyone who wants to enjoy multiple activities.

They are also typically a bit more affordable than 3rd party vendors, as there are not as many fees involved.

Check out our section on Tour Company Combos to learn more.

3. Third Party Vendors

Lastly, you can buy tickets from a 3rd party vendor. These companies buy bulk tickets from Alcatraz Cruises, so their prices may be slightly higher.

One of the biggest 3rd party vendors is none other than Stubhub, and they sell day tickets , night tickets , and (sometimes) behind-the-scenes tickets for around $10-$15 more on average.

There are reports that the 3rd party vendors selling these tickets may not technically be allowed to do so.

However, they have been selling Alcatraz tickets this way for years, and Stubhub themselves have set up individual pages for these tours.

Chances are that even if it's frowned upon, StubHub still allows it.

If you are planning to buy 3rd party, we recommend comparing prices with those offered in combination packages .

When you factor in fees from Stubhub, combo deals could easily be more affordable!

Near Pier 39 you can find 3rd party vendors that typically sell pre-arranged packages, which means you’ll have to buy Alcatraz tickets along with something else, usually a Bay cruise).

NOTE: Free Tours by Foot does not offer tickets to Alcatraz Island.  Please follow the links on this page for help organizing your tickets.

What pier do Alcatraz tours depart from?

The Alcatraz Cruises boats depart from Pier 33, on the northern waterfront of San Francisco.

NOTE: All boarding members must have an ID present to board with their ticket. 

Regardless of which form of transportation you choose to get here, we recommend using this Google Maps link for directions to the pier .

Streetcar ($2.25):

In our opinion, this is the easiest way to get to Pier 33.

If you are starting your trip anywhere on Market Street or along the waterfront, the streetcar can take you right to Pier 33.

Just get off at the Bay Street Station.

See our post on how to ride the streetcars  to get more information on schedules, maps, and prices.

Bus ($3.00):

There are three Muni buses you can take. Click on any of these links to go to a route map and schedule for each bus.

• 10 Townsend (only weekends)
• 8X Bayshore Express
• 82X Presidio & Wharves Express

NOTE: 10 Townsend and 82X Presidio & Wharves Express are currently suspended, and we do not know when they will return to full service.

You can drive directly to Pier 33 and you can get dropped off right in front of the boat loading zone.

You can reserve a guaranteed parking space in advance through Spot Hero .

We have also put together a map of the closest parking lots in the area:

Note: If you have to park, be sure to arrive early! We would suggest arriving up to 45 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Parking can be extremely difficult along the waterfront, especially in the busy spring and summer months.

You don’t want to miss your departure time, so be sure to give yourself enough time to find parking and walk to the dock.

How much time do you need for an Alcatraz Tour

An Alcatraz tour is a four-part trip:

1. The ferry ride to Alcatraz 2. The audio tour of the prison 3. Exploring the island 4. The ferry ride home

The ferry ride takes about 20 minutes each way. The audio tour is a 45-minute self-guided tour.

The biggest variable in how long your journey will take is your exploration of the island.

While on Alcatraz, we would encourage you to take one of the many ranger-led talks in the prison dining hall.

These talks usually run for about 20 minutes and cover topics as wide-ranging as escape attempts, the types of plants on the island, and the history of the island itself.

In general, we would recommend that you plan about 2.5 hours for the entire trip.

Can you walk around Alcatraz without a tour guide?

Yes, Alcatraz tickets includes the ferry transportation service by Alcatraz City Cruises and the cellhouse audio tour provided by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy which can help you to get around Alcatraz on your own.

How long are Alcatraz tours?

A tour lasts for 2.5 to 5.5 hours depending upon the tour you select.

Can you take the ferry to Alcatraz without a tour?

Yes, Alcatraz City Cruises offers ferry services to Alcatraz Island which can be used to reach.

Is there a lot of walking at Alcatraz?

Yes, the roads and walkways on the Island are steep. Also, the distance and elevation change make the overall trip equivalent to climbing a 13-story building.

For those with mobility concerns, the island offers tram services.

SOLD OUT TOUR/LAST-MINUTE TICKETS

Due to the island's huge popularity, Alcatraz Cruises advises visitors to book their tickets 90 days in advance, especially during high season.

However, for those who aren't able to secure tickets ahead of time, there are a few last-minute booking options.

Buy a Combination Tour Ticket:

This is the option if your time is worth more than your money.

Several companies sell combo tour tickets that combine Alcatraz with other tours, such as a hop-on-hop-off tour, or an activity, such as a day trip to Muir Woods or Napa Valley.

This is a reliable option, as many of these companies buy tickets in bulk to have certainty for their guests.

Therefore, when Alcatraz Cruises is sold out, these companies may not be.

Check out our combo ticket section to find out more.

Check for Cancelled Tickets:

Alcatraz Cruises updates its website several times a day to add tickets that have been canceled by guests.

Be sure to check their website periodically to see if your preferred dates open up.

Same-Day Tickets from Alcatraz Cruises:

Alcatraz Cruises tickets are often sold out months in advance and they no longer offer same-day ticket options for walk-up guests.

Standby Tickets for the Night Tour:

Guests can also get standby tickets for the night tour by lining up before the box office opens at 7:30 a.m.

You are then given a standby ticket and told to come back right before 5:55 pm and 6:30 pm departures to see if there are any no-shows.

The standby tickets are honored in the order by which they were purchased in the morning, from first to last.

Due to its popularity, a very limited number of tickets are available via standby every day.

This option is also a gamble, as you are not guaranteed tickets, even if you get standby status.

Tickets for the night tour are usually  available on StubHub , but you will pay more for these.

NOTE: Purchasing tickets on StubHub is apparently against the no re-selling rules, but considering that there seem to be no complaints online, it doesn't appear to be enforced. StubHub also guarantees refunds for tickets.

People also sell Alcatraz tickets on Craigslist, but we do not recommend this option as the chances of a scam are high.

TOUR COMPANY COMBO TICKETS 

Combo packages are actually one of the easiest methods for getting your tickets to Alcatraz Island.

You can get tickets to the island separately, but they are very popular and can be difficult to obtain.

Alternatively, a combo tour helps guests secure Alcatraz tickets, while also enjoying other popular sites.

Below, we list 3 affordable options. There are many more options to choose from if these don't suffice.

TIP: If you are thinking about a tourist combo ticket or pass, you should read our comparison post to help understand which one, if any, is best for you.

Even though Alcatraz Island Tour tickets are not included, some include boat trips around the island.

Big Bus and Skyline Sightseeing combine their hop-on-hop-off bus tours of the city with a ticket to Alcatraz and offer the best value for most readers.

Extranomical Tours and Tower Tours, on the other hand, combine other day trips such as Muir Woods and Wine Country with an Alcatraz ticket.

Learn more about combination tours by checking out our pages on day trips to Muir Woods , Yosemite , Sausalito , Sonoma Valley , and Napa Valley .

Skyline Sightseeing Tours (formerly City Sightseeing)

Skyline Sightseeing offers an Alcatraz Combo Tour which includes a 3-day hop-on-hop-off tour featuring 4 different loops: The Official City Tour, Downtown San Francisco Tour, San Francisco Night Tour, and Sausalito Bus Tour.

The ticket also comes with an Alcatraz Island tour, which includes transportation to and from Alcatraz, a 45-minute audio tour, and free time to explore on your own.

This option is very similar to what Big Bus has to offer, though it is a 2-day pass rather than a 24-hour pass.

Combo Tours: 

San Francisco Hop-on, Hop-off Alcatraz Tour    

Online prices:

• Adult $139.99
• Child $104.99

Reviews: 

Skyline Sightseeing is a very popular tour company with a fairly good reputation.

The quality of the guided commentary varies depending on the driver, though most visitors find it informative and enjoyable.

Some guests had trouble hearing the driver due to a poor PA system on the bus.

However, most of those comments come from several months ago, suggesting that the problem has likely been remedied.

Overall, visitors who traveled with Skyline Sightseeing found the experience very enjoyable and straightforward. TripAdvisor Rating: 3.5 stars.

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Big Bus Tours 

Big Bus Tours offers an Alcatraz Package Tour that combines an Alcatraz Island ticket with a 1-day hop-on-hop-off Big Bus Tour.

The latter includes a live English-speaking guide, pre-recorded commentary in 10 different languages, drop-off and pick-up at 20 different key landmarks, and a voucher for free 'pint and play'.

Buses are meant to arrive at each stop every 10-20 minutes, making it extremely easy to travel around the city.

Additionally, guests also receive a ticket for the Alcatraz Day Tour at an available time.

This package isn't quite the cheapest package (at least during the summer), but it just may be the best value out there.

Alcatraz Combo Ticket

• Alcatraz Ferry and Entrance Ticket
• Big Bus Premium Ticket (good for 1 day of hop-on-hop-off bus service)
• Free walking tour
• 1-Hour Bike Rental
• $120 for Adults (online price)

Big Bus Tours receives lots of positive feedback for their reasonable prices and ease of transportation.

While reviewers recommend this package for all of its activities (kid-friendly!), there is a consistent complaint of buses taking more than the 10-20 minutes promised to reach certain stops during high traffic or busy weekends.

However, guests who were aware of potential delays found the issue less problematic.

We recommend this package for the planner who knows how to use a map and plan a day to maximize time, since hopping on and off this bus to cross the city may eat up a lot of it.

TripAdvisor Rating: 4 stars.

This company is relatively new to San Francisco, but they have a great reputation internationally and so far have received several excellent reviews for tours offered in the Bay Area.

Currently, they are offering a combo ticket which includes a ticket to Alcatraz Island along with a Chinatown tour and a visit to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.

This is a great alternative to some of the other combo deals because it doesn't require you to take a day trip or pay for a hop hop off bus tour.

• $104 per person
• Availability: Sun & Sat
• Hours: 10 am - 6 pm
• Duration: 4 hours
• Includes Alcatraz Island ticket.
• Includes Chinatown walking tour.
• Includes a visit to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.
• Not currently available.

This combo tour has received very favorable ratings, with guests typically referring to their guide as knowledgeable, funny, and informative.

Some customers described the service as smooth and quick, indicating that everything was easy to enjoy.

Extranomical Tours 

Extranomical Tours usually sells several different types of day trips from San Francisco, most of which can be combined with an Alcatraz ticket.

Though sold as a package, the ticket for Alcatraz is good for the day after whatever day trip you choose to combine it with.

They also offer pick-up and drop-off at almost any hotel in San Francisco, making the door-to-door service very convenient.

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• Alcatraz Island and City Highlights Tour - from $139 per person
• Yosemite with Alcatraz Tour - from $210 per person
• Muir Woods, Wine Country, and Alcatraz Tour - from $158 per person
• Wine Lovers with Alcatraz Tour - from $203 per person
• More info and to book .

NOTE: Extranomical Tours is only offering their Alcatraz Island and City Highlights tour at the moment. This will likely change in the future as tourism starts to open up a bit more.

Reviews for Extranomical Tours are generally very positive, with many guests referring to their experience as “wonderful” and something that “should not be missed.”

The company’s guides also receive high praise for being “knowledgeable, humorous, and well organized.”

Though some guests complained that the microphone on the bus was inadequate, the infrequency of these comments suggests that this issue has been fixed. TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars. 

There are many more options to choose from if these don't suffice.

Dylan’s Tours

This is one of the most popular tour companies in the Bay Area, and they currently offer one of the best combo tickets which includes a trip to Alcatraz.

In addition to the Alcatraz ticket, you’ll also receive a day trip to Muir Woods and a full tour of San Francisco.

If you're also interested in seeing the redwoods of California, this is an excellent opportunity.

Both tours will take place on their comfortable minibusses, ensuring a more personable experience.

With the trip to Alcatraz included, this outing will take approximately 10 hours to enjoy. Their tour departs daily at 8 a.m. from Fisherman’s Wharf.

San Francisco, Muir Woods and Alcatraz Tour

Includes a San Francisco bus tour, a Muir Woods bus tour, and an Alcatraz Island Tour.

• $189 – Adults | $129 – Children 
• Departs daily at 8 am
• Duration: 10 hours

Dylan’s Tours has received an overall rating of just over 4 ½ out of 5 stars for this service. 

Most customers are very pleased with their tour guides, referring to them as both fun and knowledgeable.

Even those who weren’t as impressed still enjoyed their trip, as there aren’t any truly negative reviews of this outing.

BOAT CRUISES THAT PASS BY ALCATRAZ 

If you are unable to secure tickets to visit Alcatraz or if you are not interested in taking a tour of the former prison, then a boat cruise that passes by the island might be a great alternative.

There are several different boats that go by Alcatraz -- most of which also feature guided commentary about the history of the place.

These cruises are also a great way to get an excellent view of the city's skyline.

Blue & Gold Fleet and Red & White Fleet are the 2 major boat tour companies in the Bay Area.

Of their many different cruises, the following feature is Alcatraz.

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Blue & Gold Fleet :

• Escape the Rock - The ONLY boat tour dedicated specifically to Alcatraz.
• SF Bay Cruise Adventure – A 1-hour sightseeing cruise of all the major attractions in the Bay

Red & White Fleet : 

• California Sunset Cruise – A 2-hour sunset cruise around the Bay to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Tiburon, Angel Island, and Alcatraz at sunset.
• Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise – A 90-minute audio tour covering the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, the Ferry Building, Bay Bridge, and AT&T Park.
• Golden Gate Bay Cruise – Their original 1 hour San Francisco Bay tour with views of the San Francisco waterfront, the Golden Gate Bridge, and notorious Alcatraz Island.

To learn more about different San Francisco cruise options, check out our post listing the best boat tours in the Bay , as well as our posts about boat tours with the Red & White Fleet  and the  Blue & Gold Fleet .

So what's the difference between a tour of Alcatraz during the day and a trip to the island at night?

Well, according to several TripAdvisor reviews, there are some notable variations.

Quite a few guests have indicated that visiting the prison after dark is pretty creepy and eerie.

There was at least one notable escape attempt during the night, so it's definitely interesting to see what those prisoners might have experienced after the sun went down.

Other visitors noted that views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco were phenomenal during the sunset, going so far as to say that the scenery was at least as enjoyable as the trip to Alcatraz.

During the Alcatraz night tour, live guides provide a special presentation that focuses on the loud steel doors of the prison as they all close at the same time.

The sound of these doors is apparently very disturbing, adding to the already spooky atmosphere of this prison after dark.

Certain services (such as the audio tour and cruise around the island) are offered during every Alcatraz tour.

That being said, several people indicated that the atmosphere of this historic prison changes after dark, making even the regular activities a little spookier.

If you're interested, we recommend booking several weeks in advance to avoid sold out tickets.

There is also a Behind the Scenes tour which lasts longer and includes every service offered during the night tour.

This trip features special programs that you won't experience on other Alcatraz tours.

During these activities, a park ranger will introduce you to hidden tunnels, underground jails, and secret gardens.

If you can't get tickets for the night tour, this is an excellent option, but it's important to keep in mind that this tour is not available for children.

Both the behind the scenes and night tours are more expensive than daily excursions.

The higher price tag is likely the result of limited availability and access to special programs.

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Want to Visit Alcatraz? Here is What You Need To Know

D o you want to roam the halls of a prison that once held some of the world’s most dangerous criminals? Would you like to spend time on a mysterious island? Do you enjoy haunting history and natural beauty? You can experience all this and more at Alcatraz Island, a national park site unlike any other. We will outline everything you need to know to visit Alcatraz. 

At First Sight, No Second Guessing

The first thing most visitors to San Francisco Bay recognize is the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Shortly after, an island catches your eye a mile and a quarter from the bustling city’s shoreline. 

With a fortress and a towering lighthouse, there is something strange yet appealing about the island. It is a rare combination of natural beauty and haunting history. The island disturbingly beckons you.

Alcatraz Island is renowned for being a maximum security federal prison. Some bristle at the thought of touring a prison. Is it odd to want to see a place where feared villains lived? Probably. 

Do not let fear keep you from such a fantastic experience. It is creepy yet exhilarating and educational. Touring Alcatraz is one of the best things to do in San Francisco and a unique national park site experience. You will be glad you answered the call.

Essential Information for Your Alcatraz Visit

The National Park Service (NPS) manages Alcatraz Island, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It is one of many national park sites in and near San Francisco .

Hours of Operation

The park is open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days.

Alcatraz Island Location

Alcatraz is an island that sits 1.25 miles from San Francisco’s vibrant shores. Its address is Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, CA 94133.

How to Get There: Alcatraz Landing Location

There is only one way to reach the island: by ferry. The Alcatraz Ferry Terminal, also known as Alcatraz Landing, rests on the Embarcadero near the intersection of Bay Street at Pier 33. 

Its exact location and the more critical physical address for you is Alcatraz Landing, Pier 33, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94111.

To give you another reference point, Fisherman’s Wharf sits at Pier 39, less than a 0.5 mile away. It is a short, easy walk between the two iconic locations.

Although all tours depart from and return to Alcatraz Landing, the area does not have parking. Nearby commercial parking lots typically fill up quickly. Due to limited parking, the NPS suggests visitors use public transportation .

Would you expect the weather to be perfect on a mysterious island that housed convicted felons? Of course, the weather is unpredictable, almost sullen, and moody. The only thing predictable about the weather is that it suddenly changes regularly.

Mornings are often cold and foggy. When the fog clears, visitors usually experience sunlight. However, blustery winds and fog often return. 

Spring and fall typically offer the most pleasant weather, while summers are cool and foggy. Winters tend to be gloomy and rainy. No matter when you visit, we suggest a light jacket.

Throughout the year, temperatures rarely exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit or dip below 38. Dress accordingly and embrace the weather. It is all part of the experience, setting the tone for your adventure.

Internet and Cellular Access

WiFi is not available. Most guests find cell reception very limited on the island. Again, it is all part of the theme.

Entrance Fees and Passes

Alcatraz Island does not charge an entrance fee per se. What does this mean? 

Although the park technically does not have an entrance fee, you must purchase a ticket for a park tour and ferry rides to and from the island. In other words, a national park pass does not grant you free access to Alcatraz.

To visit Alcatraz, you must secure a reservation by purchasing a ticket. The NPS strongly recommends visitors make reservations in advance. Tours can and do sell out, especially in summer and around holidays.

The NPS partners with Alcatraz City Cruises , the only approved vendor, to provide ferry services for all tours. Please click on the provided link to check availability by type of tour, day, and time and to purchase Alcatraz tickets. Or, you can call them at (415) 981-7625.

Tour Options

Alcatraz tours come in three flavors, all beginning and ending at Alcatraz Landing. Let’s review your ticket options.

• Adult: $45.25
• Child (ages 5-11): $27.55
• Junior (ages 12-17): $45.25
• Senior (ages 62+): $42.65

Note that prices may change at any time. 

The day tour provides access to the island’s open areas, including exhibits, gardens, the historic cellhouse, dining hall, and recreation yard. It includes a self-guided cellhouse audio tour where you hear from prisoners, guards, and wardens as you make your way through the cold, damp halls. The audio tour provides some fascinating history, transporting you back in time as the cells and corridors practically come to life.

• Adult: $56.30
• Child (ages 5-11): $33.00
• Junior (ages 12-17): $55.10
• Senior (ages 62+): $52.25

The night tour delivers more of a personal touch. Groups are smaller, and park rangers provide information and tell exciting stories. Like the day excursions, you will take a self-guided cellhouse audio tour. Visitors at night get to explore an unannounced area that is not typically open during the day. And the icing on the cake is your spectacular sunset views of the city skyline, bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Behind the Scenes Tour

• Adult: $101.30
• Junior (ages 12-17): $97.10
• Senior (ages 62+): $94.25

The behind-the-scenes tour provides the most intimate outing, with group sizes capped at 30 people. Best of all, you gain access to areas not available to the public on the other tours, such as tunnels, underground jails, and unique gardens.

Eating and Smoking

The island has one area near the dock where visitors can eat and smoke. Consuming food and tobacco products is prohibited in all other parts of the island. Why is this? The rule is to help protect the island’s seabird populations. Note that you can purchase and eat food on the ferry.

How Long is the Tour?

Plan on 2.5 to 3 hours for the entire experience, including the ferry rides and tour. Each ferry ride is about 15 minutes.  

Your ticket shows the ferry departure day and time. Plan to arrive before your scheduled ride so you can catch your ferry.

If you take a day tour, ferries return from the island about every half hour. Return trip departure times are posted on the ferry and at the island dock. You have an assigned ferry time to the island but may ride on any returning ferry.

Accessibility

The Alcatraz Landing entrance has an accessibility drop-off zone. Nearby commercial parking lots provide accessible spaces, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Those with a valid disabled parking permit may park in the area at blue-painted curbs or blue zones .

Accessible features at Alcatraz Landing and Alcatraz Island include a tactile model of the island and Pier 33, accessible restroom facilities, an audio-described tour with Braille posts for wayfinding, assistive listening devices, and a Braille transcript of the cellhouse tour.

The prison sits atop a steep hill, about .25 miles from the dock, with an elevation change of 130 feet. Visitors requiring mobility assistance can ride an electric shuttle, Sustainability Easy Access Transport (SEAT). The tram meets each arriving ferry at the dock and makes regular return trips from the prison to the dock throughout the day.

Wheelchair-accessible areas include:

• Alcatraz Landing
• Alcatraz dock
• The main floor of the prison
• Museum displays
• Island theater

Deaf visitors can watch an American Sign Language (ASL) version of the cellhouse tour on a handheld digital device. Upon arrival, a park staff member can provide you with a handheld device for the ASL tour.

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Alcatraz?

Your primary goal will impact the answer to this question. The best weather occurs in April, May, September, and October. If summer fits your schedule, prepare for bigger crowds and surprisingly cold, foggy weather.

For those who want to avoid crowds, the following windows offer the best experience:

• First two weeks of November
• First two weeks of December
• January through March (rainy season)

The best time to observe nesting seabirds is February through August. April and May bring nest building and egg laying, with chicks beginning to hatch around mid-June.

Best Time to Go

Based on your perspective, the best time to go is a matter of opinion. However, if you aim to escape crowds, morning is the best time. For those who seek the possibility of some warm sunshine, midday is best. Consider the night tour if you love sunsets or desire a unique excursion.

What to Expect When You Visit Alcatraz

Now that we have discussed essential information, what can you expect on your visit to Alcatraz Island?

The ferry ride to the island takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Water can get choppy sometimes, but the boat is large enough to absorb the waves, making it reasonably smooth. Along the journey, you gain fantastic views of the island, city skyline, and Golden Gate Bridge. Savor the vistas and enjoy!

Arrival and Exploration

After disembarking the ferry, a park ranger will greet you and deliver a brief orientation talk. If you are taking a day tour, you can freely explore the island after your briefing. A park ranger escorts visitors to the prison during the night tours. The behind-the-scenes tour is a ranger-guided tour with additional time for visitors to explore independently.

Attractions

The park is considerably different from most national park sites. So, what can you do on the island? Alcatraz is primarily about walking and exploring an island with a fascinating history. That history is disturbing, yet it leaves you feeling exhilarated and educated.

The park houses a museum, bookstores, theater, and exhibits to explore. You will encounter information placards throughout the prison and its grounds. The two primary exhibits are:

• Red Power on Alcatraz: Perspective 50 Years Later
• The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the U.S.

Understandably, the prison is the main attraction for many visitors. The self-guided audio tour takes approximately half an hour, leading you through the prison corridors, dining hall, and recreation grounds. You have an opportunity to step into a jail cell if you dare.

The audio tour is a fantastic way to experience Alcatraz as you hear the voices of former guards, wardens, and prisoners. Even if you do not enjoy audio tours, I highly recommend this one. The combination of the audio and exhibits gives you a glimpse of the harsh conditions and hopelessness the prisoners must have felt. Walking through the prison without the audio is excellent, but the commentary gives you historical information and perspectives you would otherwise miss.

Park rangers hand you the audio device, which includes headphones and a neck strap, leaving your hands free to take pictures with your phone or camera. The tour is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Mandarin. You can request a transcript if you prefer. An English Braille version of the transcript is available as well.

Where many national park sites fill your soul with beauty, Alcatraz floods your mind with vivid images of its past. Seeing it firsthand is oddly rewarding.

I want to ensure your visit is well-spent by giving away only a little information on the history. Alcatraz was a military fort protecting San Francisco Bay in the 1850s. It was an army prison beginning in 1859. Alcatraz gained its fame as a maximum security prison for the worst of criminals from 1934 to 1963. Most inmates got transferred from other prisons after proving to be troublemakers or escape risks.

“The Rock” was believed to be inescapable, located on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, resting atop a large rock. Notorious inmates include Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Robert Stroud, “The Birdman of Alcatraz,” and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis.

The inmates’ history and escape attempts are essential to its lore. Thirty-four men made fourteen separate escape attempts from the federal prison. The infamous escape attempt in 1962 saw Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin make it to the bay. The trio was never found, presumably drowning.

American Indian political activists occupied Alcatraz three times in the 1960s and early 1970s. Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972, resulting in Alcatraz being under the organization and part of the NPS.

Rock Gardens

When most people envision Alcatraz, they picture a drab facility with harsh conditions. Surprisingly, despite this haunting history, the Rock harbors beautiful gardens of lush plants and colorful blossoms. In 2003, the NPS, Garden Conservancy, and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy began collaborative efforts to restore and preserve the historic gardens. 

The island contains a beautiful trail that is widely unknown. You can visit Alcatraz almost any day of the year. Still, the Agave Trail, a short path between the dock and Parade Ground, is typically open only from late September through January. The path skirts along the island’s edge, delivering exceptional views of the island and bay. It is closed for the rest of the year to protect nesting birds.

Alcatraz Birds

Although not a highlight for some visitors, many beautiful waterbirds call Alcatraz Island home. Accordingly, park rangers close some parts of the island for your safety and theirs.

Due to abundant birds, early Spanish explorers named the island after alcatraces or seabirds. Most birds disappeared for years while the island was a military fortress, prison, and federal jail. 

When the prison closed in 1963, the seabirds returned. The National Historic Landmark now harbors more than 5,000 nesting birds, including western gulls, cormorants, black-crowned night herons, snowy egrets, and pigeon guillemots. 

Park rangers first spotted a pair of peregrine falcons on Alcatraz Island in 2019. The NPS announced the birth of four peregrine falcon chicks in early April 2023.

The historic Alcatraz Lighthouse, lit in 1854, was the first built on America’s west coast . It has gone through many changes over the years. The current 84-foot concrete tower was built in 1909, replacing the original. Shortly after the prison closed in 1963, the lighthouse was automated. It is not open to the public for tours. However, the beacon adds a touch of beauty and mystery to the island.

Is Alcatraz Haunted?

Guests have reported hearing moans or cries from empty cells. Legends say an inmate from the infamous cell 14D died after incessantly screaming that a ghost was after him. Many visitors report feeling cold when passing that same cell. Perhaps ghosts roam the halls, or maybe it is the wind blowing through the corridors, or just wild imaginations or fears getting the best of us. I will let you decide for yourself.

Tips Before You Visit Alcatraz

We suggest you reserve your Alcatraz Island tour tickets in advance. Attempting to purchase last-minute tickets is risky since many tours fill up days or weeks before.

Plan to arrive twenty to thirty minutes early for your scheduled ferry ride. Your spot is reserved for a specific day and time. Once on the island, you can take your time and catch any returning ferry.

Wear comfortable but sturdy shoes due to the park’s uneven and steep walking surfaces. Your initial climb from the dock to the prison is steep.

The park does not offer storage facilities of any kind. Although we suggest packing layers, including a light jacket, only bring what you can comfortably carry.

Since the island only allows food in a small area near the dock, plan to eat shortly before your tour. Or, you can eat a snack during the ferry ride. 

Bring your camera to capture views from the ferry and Alcatraz Island. While touring the island, do not focus solely on the prison. Remember to savor the spectacular views of San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Wrap-Up: How to Visit Alcatraz

With an odd combination of haunting history and natural beauty, Alcatraz Island delivers a riveting experience, unlike any other national park site in America . Use our guide to plan your Alcatraz escape!

Featured image credit: Rodrigo Soares

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Niagara: What to Expect and How to Prepare

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One of the best things to do when in Niagara Falls, is to visit the city’s world-famous landmark Niagara Falls, which forms the border between Canada and the United States. This feature is one of the most impressive waterfalls on the planet and will leave you speechless with its powerful falls and spectacular beauty. The largest of the three falls that comprise Niagara Falls is Horseshoe Falls, which lies on the Canadian side of the border and carries nine times more water than its U.S. counterpart. The other two falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls belong to the United States. Before you experience the true raw power of nature, there are some things to prepare for before your trip.   

Niagara Falls is a tremendously popular tourist destination and with good reason. And no one does it quite like Niagara City Cruises with world-class visitor experiences. To make your trip successful, we have rounded up a list of things to expect on your visit and what you need to know. One thing is for sure, this will be a thrilling trip – and probably a wet one!  

Fun Facts – Niagara Falls  

“Fun fact: Niagara Falls, located on the border of Canada and the USA, receives 22,500,000 visitors a year and holds the record for the world’s most visited waterfall. It is also the fifth most popular tourist attraction in the world, ahead of all of the Disneylands, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Great Wall of China.” sights the  Guinness Book of World Records . This year, while celebrating the solar eclipse on 8 April 2024, 309 people stood aboard Niagara City Cruises and broke the record for the most people dressed as the sun!  

Did you know that Niagara Falls is an enormously popular tourist destination, and serves as a major source of electricity for Ontario? The Falls were formed when glaciers melted and formed massive freshwater lakes that ran downhill toward Lake Ontario. These rushing waters carved out a river and formed a steep cliff-like formation called the Niagara Escarpment. The relentless cascade of water flow is powered by the Great Lakes which ensures a constant and forceful rush over the falls throughout the year. Millions travel annually to be awed by the spectacular beauty of the Falls, and it is known as the honeymoon capital of the world. No wonder it was featured in a Hallmark movie this year! There are sights that you want to include when you visit, so find out the best times to visit to skip the crowds and make the most of your vacation. See for yourself why travelers and locals alike are drawn to it each year. With a bit of planning, you will be able to squeeze in all that you want to see and create memories of a lifetime.   

When to Visit and Where to Stay in Niagara  

Niagara Falls, Canada has plenty of choices when it comes to accommodations ranging from budget-friendly to luxury resorts. There are a few popular options like the Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls , or Sheraton Fallsview Hotel which are located close to the falls and other popular attractions. If you like the outdoors and the weather is good, then consider camping at one of the many campgrounds in the region, which is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the area.  

Fall in Love with a Niagara City Cruises Experience  

If you are looking for a light-mist experience with the Illumination of the Falls, then after sunset is the way to go. This 20-minute voyage includes onboard commentary with frequent sailing options and is a must-do when visiting Canada.  

Skip the line and take a First on the Boat Niagara Falls Tour with an expertly guided walking tour featuring Table Rock, Horseshoe Falls, and special access to the Journey Behind the Falls experience. You will be granted exclusive access to the first elevator of the day bringing you nineteen stories down into the gorge, complete with panoramic views. You will also be the first down to the docks and personally escorted onto the Niagara City Cruises boat which ensures the best views before the crowds. The 20-minute cruise around the falls will both exhilarate and excite you while guides enchant you with captivating storytelling. This is an ideal way to avoid crowds and get the best views.  

Niagara Falls: Where Water Meets Adventure  

* Please note Niagara City Cruises is not responsible for the fireworks display and cannot be held liable in the event the fireworks display is cancelled, delayed, or shortened for any reason.  

Begin Your Adventure in Niagara Today with Niagara City Cruises  

Enjoy an exciting adventure aboard a Niagara City Cruises vessel, the official Boat Tour operator for the Niagara Parks in Niagara Falls, Canada, and see what draws millions of visitors each year since its opening in 2014. Whether you are looking for adventure or relaxation, Niagara Falls is an amazing natural phenomenon that will make your trip unforgettable. Niagara City Cruises cannot wait to welcome you aboard.  

What documents do I need to travel to Niagara Falls?  

The most popular questions asked are about crossing the United States and Canada borders. Click here for all you need to know.  

What is the best time to visit Niagara Falls?  

The best time to visit Niagara Falls depends on what experience you would like to have. During the summer months, the weather is warm and attractions are all open. However; it can be crowded during this time. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Winter can be quite chilly, but it’s magnificent with the falls partially frozen.  

What should I pack for my trip to Niagara Falls?  

Pack weather-appropriate clothing, especially if you are visiting in winter. Comfortable walking shoes are essential as there is a lot of walking involved. Do not forget your camera, sunscreen, and any medications that you may need. Consider a waterproof bag for your belongings as well.  

What are the main attractions in Niagara Falls, Canada?  

The main attraction and star of the show is, of course, Niagara Falls itself. Don’t miss the Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour and the stunning Falls Fireworks Cruise. There are also many restaurants, wineries, and beautiful spots for hiking such as Clifton Hill, Skylon Tower, and Niagara Glen Nature Centre.  

How do I get around Niagara Falls, Canada?  

Niagara Falls is relatively easy to navigate. You can walk to many attractions, especially in the tourist district. There’s also a WEGO bus system that connects major attractions, and taxis, and rideshare services are available. If you plan on visiting wineries or exploring beyond the immediate area, consider renting a car for convenience.  

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Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour review – one of them has a formidable mind, but which?

The odd couple journey through Venice, Florence and Rome in the hope of enlightenment – and mending their broken hearts in the Italian sun. Expect to have your preconceptions challenged …

I n a country where so much of society is still bisected along class lines, many have a very particular image of a clever person – and it’s roughly Stephen Fry. A grand-seeming Oxbridge-educated man with a posh accent and an interest in art and opera, who can recite passages of classic literature. Rob Rinder , the criminal barrister, broadcaster and host of Judge Rinder, fits well into this mould and loves all things “high culture” and intellectual pursuits. He is, as his co-host Rylan Clark says, “one of the cleverest blokes I know”. Meanwhile, Rinder says Clark “doesn’t know his arts from his elbow”. However, over the course of the three episodes of Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour, Clark emerges as the brilliant mind, with levels of intelligence, wit and profundity that may have been overlooked because there remains a perception of what a clever person is like.

The pair position themselves as an odd couple from different sides of the tracks, being good mates, both going through “painful divorces” who, despite their divergent interests, have decided to embark on a journey that represents a fresh start. The series follows them through the “hedonism” of Venice, the Renaissance feast that is Florence and the baroque glory of Rome, replicating a journey made by Lord Byron, 200 years after his death at just 36. But as the series reminds us, this was not just a journey that Byron made: many of the “poshos” of the era would journey to Italy as a rite of passage, a form of cultural education to establish themselves as erudite individuals who understood art, history and the ways of the world.

We first see Rinder in Venice aboard a gondola, wanting to take in the historical traditions of the city. Clark is in a glitzy speedboat and is a little intimidated by all the art and opera ahead. But while Rinder is moved and fascinated by the galleries, concerts and archaeology of this and the other two cities, his response comes across as a little more shallow than Clark’s reflections. When discussing Caravaggio, castratos or the Colosseum, Rinder always seems to give the prototypical clever-person answer, while Clark connects to his surroundings on a molecular level, seeing in ancient ruins existential questions that connect to his own mortality and desire to achieve greatness.

Clark also brings a gorgeous vulnerability to the screen. Not only is he dealing with heartbreak, but also with the lingering insecurity of having been an object of ridicule in his early career. It’s a truly remarkable journey that he has been on, having first come to public attention as the runner-up on Signed By Katie Price before being labelled a “joke act” on The X Factor and finally hitting his stride as a presenter on This Morning, Big Brother’s Bit on the Side and Ready Steady Cook. But even if he is best known for being a larger-than-life camp icon who pokes fun at himself, it has become clear over the years – and is further illuminated by this programme – that Clark is an extremely smart and talented man who should not be underestimated.

The relationship between Rinder and Clark proves surprisingly sweet and tender, too. Although they often fall back into the clever one/silly one shtick, they seem to hold each other in equally high regard. Clark has little ego around the gaps in his knowledge and soaks up what Rinder tells him about the historical significance of the places that they visit. Rinder also gazes at him adoringly when Clark interprets what the Botticellis hanging in the Uffizi or the Venetian mask worn during the carnival symbolise to him.

While Rinder and Clark seem quite transformed by their journey and time together, ending the trip with their hearts a little less broken and open to the possibility of finding love again (albeit with an iron-clad prenup), what’s most interesting about the programme is how it challenges our perception of Clark. For centuries, the Grand Tour was undertaken by those who more closely resembled Rinder, people with the right sort of class and education, unlike Clark, who was a “ginger kid from a council flat in Stepney Green”. But it is lovely to behold where that kid has ended up, see his formidable mind absorb the glories of the journey Byron once embarked on and watch his confidence bloom in the Italian sunshine.

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Taylor Swift is about to go back on tour: Here's what to expect on the Eras Tour in Paris

After a two-month break, Taylor Swift is revitalizing her titanic Eras Tour in Paris, and fans believe there are changes coming to the show.

If you are wondering where she's playing, if there will be changes and how to score tickets, here's everything we know.

And if you're new to the Eras Tour party, you can get caught up on the first 83 shows here .

When does the Eras Tour start again?

Swift kicks off the European leg of her tour on Thursday, May 9, in Paris. She will perform Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, as well, in the City of Light.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

What are Taylor Swift's tour dates in Europe?

There are 69 shows left in the Eras Tour: 51 in Europe, nine in America and nine in Canada.

The European leg stretches from May all the way through a five-night stand at Wembley Stadium in London in mid-August.

See a complete list of international dates here .

After she wraps up in Europe, Swift will stop in Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis before wrapping up in Canada.

See the remaining U.S. dates here .

What is the Eras Tour set list?

The Eras Tour has featured a massive 45-song set list you can check out here . But speculation is swirling it won't look the same when Swift takes the stage in Paris.

Will Taylor Swift add 'The Tortured Poets Department' to her set list?

The tortured poet has been on hiatus keeping her stamina up by releasing a double album of 31 tracks. The 2-hours-and-2-minutes project broke a number of Billboard records as the superstar did zero press to promote it. Fans flocked to stores and streaming services to listen to all the songs from "Fortnight" to "The Manuscript."

Although the singer has not confirmed whether her 11th era album will be added to her Eras Tour set list, she did post a YouTube shorts video with two scenes that sent Easter egg decoders into a frenzy. In one of the shots, the singer is next to a railing where a "TTPD" logo appears to be (at 0:11). In the succeeding shot, her back-up dancers perform holding canes and wearing top hats, something they have not worn previously.

Swift's dancers and bandmates posted to their Instagram stories as they left for France last week. The singer did not appear at two media events with her boyfriend Travis Kelce: the Kentucky Derby and a Formula 1 race in Miami , Florida. Patrick Mahomes, Kelce's friend and Kansas City's quarterback, attended the car racing spectacular with his wife, Brittany.

Can I still get Eras Tour tickets?

Swift's show is completely sold out in Europe and North America. There are resale sites with tickets, but be wary of scams. The best way to avoid getting swindled is continuously checking links on Swift's website . There are some for resale on the sites verified by her camp.

Singapore was a hotbed for fans who traveled thousands of miles only to get turned away at the venue. In Tokyo and Australia, last-minute ticket drops happened a few days — without announcement — ahead of the shows.

Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis — the three U.S. cities Swift is visiting in the fall — have some of the heftiest price tags with Canada closely behind. In may be cheaper to travel to Warsaw, Poland, or Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Here's a list of cities with the cheapest resale tickets, according to travel website  Islands.com .

10. Vienna, Austria — total average cost: $1,089, safety score: 69.72

9. Cardiff, U.K. — total average cost: $1,061, safety score: 61.83

8. Lyon, France — total average cost: $1,047, safety score: 44.3

7. Lisbon, Portugal — total average cost: $1,028, safety score: 70.15

6. Munich, Germany — total average cost: $1,000, safety score: 78.88

5. Paris, France — total average cost: $971, safety score: 41.83

4. Stockholm, Sweden — total average cost: $935, safety score: 53.86

3. Hamburg, Germany — total average cost: $903, safety score: 57.51

2. Gelsenkirchen, Germany — total average cost: $749, safety score: 51.33

1. Warsaw, Poland — total average cost: $712, safety score: 72.98

Catch Taylor Swift live with tickets at Vivid Seats , shop merchandise , and stream her latest on Disney+ . Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Who are the opening acts?

Paramore launched the Eras Tour in Glendale, Arizona, in March 2023, so it's fitting the American rock band is opening the tour's second year. The act will open for Swift for 51 shows across Europe . The band was dubbed the 2024 Record Store Day global ambassador and surprised fans in Nashville the weekend following the release of "The Tortured Poets Department."

When the tour comes back to North America in October , Swift's opening act will be Gracie Abrams.

Where can I watch if I don't have tickets?

The Eras Tour is one of the first tours that has been followed, globally, by thousands of fans on digital platforms. Fans dedicate part of their concert experience to livestreaming as Swift performs. A few Swifties have learned how to host their own shows over social media including Tess Bohne , known as the livestream queen. Bohne goes live for (almost) every show pulling streams from Instagram and TikTok. When a livestream goes down, she fills the time with banter.

On YouTube, user @TaylorSwiftHockeyBro also livestreams the three-hour show, and on Twitch, @folkleric , is a host fans follow.

There is also an app, Swift Alert , that notifies fans who only want to watch certain eras like the acoustic, surprise set. The app sends out push alerts if there are any major announcements.

What secret songs are left?

For the past 83 shows, Swift has played an acoustic set she customizes at each stop with a guitar and piano performance. In 2024, the Eras Tour star added mashups of her songs for each stop. Here are the songs she has yet to perform:

• "Taylor Swift" (debut album): "Mary's Song" and "A Perfectly Good Heart"
• "Fearless": "The Way I Loved You," "Change," "Superstar," "We Were Happy," "That's When," "Don't You" and "Bye Bye Baby"
• "Red": "Girl At Home," "Ronan," "Forever Winter" and "Run"
• "1989": "Sweeter Than Fiction"
• "Reputation": "I Did Something Bad"
• "Lover": "London Boy," "Soon You'll Get Better" and "It's Nice to Have a Friend"
• "Folklore": "Hoax"
• "Evermore": "Happiness" and "Closure"
• "Midnights": "Paris" and "Glitch"
• "The Tortured Poets Department": all 31 tracks

Will Taylor Swift perform in 2025?

There have been many rumors that Swift will continue her show in 2025, but they are only rumors. Nothing has been announced for next year, and as of now, the tour will end in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Dec. 8.

Don't miss any Taylor Swift news; sign up for the  free, weekly newsletter "This Swift Beat."

Follow Taylor Swift reporter Bryan West on  Instagram ,  TikTok  and  X as @BryanWestTV .

Met Gala highlights See celebrity looks from Zendaya to Lizzo on the red carpet

The Met Gala returns this year with the theme “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” Get the updates from the scene, photos and the best looks of the night .

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