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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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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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The Official Tour of Alcatraz Island and Prison

Step back in time and experience the legendary island that has been a Civil War fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history. This memorable tour includes: 45 minute audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour,” featuring actual correctional officers and prisoners who lived and worked on the Island; orientation video by Discovery Channel; ranger and docent tours; historic gardens and abundant wildlife.

CELLHOUSE AUDIO TOUR

No one can tell the Alcatraz tale like the men who actually lived it. The captivating Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour brings history alive through the actual voices of the correctional officers and inmates who lived on the island during the infamous Federal Penitentiary era.

Hear both sides of life in the island prison including such famous events as escape attempts, “The Battle of ’46”, food riots, and surviving solitary confinement.

The Cellhouse Audio Tour is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

GARDENS OF ALCATRAZ

From the military to the penitentiary era, plants softened the Rock for those who called Alcatraz home. Through gardening, island residents created beauty in a place focused on defense, punishment, and confinement. The families of the guards enjoyed tea parties in the gardens, and gardening became a welcome pastime. For trusted inmates, the gardens were an escape from daily prison life. Even today, the thriving gardens are a stark contrast to the somber prison.

After closure of the prison in 1963, many plants survived decades without care. These survivors are excellent choices for gardeners in the Bay Area or other Mediterranean climates. Since 2003, The Garden Conservancy has been working in partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service to restore these wonderful gardens and to share the stories with visitors.

Join a garden docent for an up-close look at the restored historic gardens of Alcatraz. Learn about the softer side of the Rock and how gardens made life tolerable for residents of the barren island. Tours leave the Alcatraz dock at 9:30 am every Friday and Sunday.

GUIDED TOURS

Join the island staff for a guided walking tour of Alcatraz Island. Programs are offered throughout the day and generally start either at the dock or lighthouse. Topics may include Famous Inmates, Escapes, Hollywood’s Rock, 200 Years of Alcatraz History, and Fortress Alcatraz. Some programs even take visitors into restricted areas of the island.

Guided tours generally last 45 minutes to an hour, and may involve walking moderate distances.

Tours and times vary daily, so check the Program Board when you arrive on the island dock. No reservations are required, and all programs are free.

ALCATRAZ: STORIES FROM THE ROCK

Alcatraz: Stories From the Rock takes viewers on a journey through the Island’s many chapters: its early role as a military fortress, the famous federal penitentiary years, the Indian occupation that altered the course of history, and finally the popular National Park and wildlife refuge it is today.

Alcatraz stands as a powerful symbol of protection and change. The film explores Alcatraz as it began, as it evolved, and as it stands today and allows viewers to discover the many layers that make it an incredible time capsule of history and human drama.

VIDEO: WE HOLD THE ROCK

The occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 to 1971 by “Indians of All Tribes” changed the course of U.S. and American Indian history, and brought world-wide attention to the plight of American Indians. The award winning video/exhibit, “WE HOLD THE ROCK,” produced by the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, is shown continually in the China Alley exhibit behind the main theater area near the dock.

ALCATRAZ AND THE AMERICAN PRISON EXPERIENCE

“Alcatraz and the American Prison Experience,” a major interpretive exhibit, explains the place of Alcatraz in the evolution of prisons in America from Colonial days to the present. Produced in partnership with the federal Bureau of Prisons, the exhibit also looks at family life on Alcatraz and trends in American penology. The exhibit is housed in two historic fortress storerooms in the China Alley display area near the dock.

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Alcatraz Time 01:44 AM (PST)

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Early Bird Tour

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• Programs & Events
• Plan Your Trip
• Groups / Tour Operators

If I want a sub headline here.

Ticket Quantity

Departing Pier 33 at 8:45AM, this is the first Alcatraz Island tour of the day. While the Early Bird Tour is the same as the Day Tour , you get a head start on your Alcatraz Island adventure and avoid the crowds arriving later in the day.

* Prices subject to change without notice

** Family Pack tickets can only be purchased by calling 415.981.ROCK (7625) or in person at the ticket booth, located at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing.

Prices Include:

• Round-trip Ferry Ride to Alcatraz Island
• Award-winning Cellhouse Audio Tour
• Daily Optional Programs and Exhibits

You can stay on Alcatraz Island as long as you like, but allow at least 3 hours for cruising to the Island, taking the Cellhouse audio tour, exploring the rest of the Island and its historic exhibits, and returning via ferry to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. It is recommended that you arrive at least one half hour prior to your departure time. Departure and Return schedules are listed here.

Please note : The roads and walkways on Alcatraz are steep. The distance from the dock to the Cellhouse is approximately 1/4 mile (.4km) and the elevation change is 130 feet (40 meters), the equivalent of walking up a 13-story building. The roads and walkways are wide with several places to stop along the way to rest and take in the breathtaking views. Comfortable athletic or walking shoes are strongly recommended. If you have mobility concerns, please see our Sustainable Easy Access Transport (S.E.A.T.) Tram information.

Programs offered

For early bird/day tours.

Join National Park Service Rangers & Docents for thematic guided walking tours around less-traveled areas of Alcatraz Island. Guided tours are offered throughout the day and generally start either at the dock or the lighthouse and may involve walking moderate distances. Topics may include Famous Inmates, Escapes, Hollywood’s Rock, the Victorian Gardens, 200 Years of Alcatraz History, or Fortress Alcatraz, to name a few.

These tours generally last 45 minutes to an hour. Tours and times vary daily, please check the program board when you disembark at the Island dock. Program boards are also found at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. No reservations are required, and all programs are free.

For an up-close look at the restored historic gardens of Alcatraz, join a garden docent to learn about the softer side of “The Rock”. Tours leave the Alcatraz dock at 9:30AM every Friday and Sunday. There is no additional charge for Alcatraz Island garden tours.

Be sure to check out the visiting and permanent exhibits during your visit to Alcatraz Island.

Cellhouse Audio Tour Included

“doing time: the alcatraz cellhouse tour”.

Tour the Cellhouse at your own pace with the award-winning audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour”. Stop to picture yourself in a dark solitary confinement cell, hear the stories of life inside from real prisoners, and feel the intensity of a prison breakout from correctional officers who lived and worked on the Island.

No one can tell the Alcatraz tale quite like the men who lived it. Hear both sides of life in the Island prison including such famous events as escape attempts, “The Battle of ’46”, “Food Riots”, and “Surviving Solitary Confinement”.

The Cellhouse audio tour is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Please note: Audio tour refunds are available for Alcatraz Day Tours only. There are no audio tour refunds available for Alcatraz Night Tours. If you prefer not to take the Cellhouse audio tour, we will be happy to refund the audio program portion of the Alcatraz tour ticket price. Please inquire with a supervisor at the entrance to the Cellhouse for refund amount. Audio tour refunds are not given through the Alcatraz Cruises ticket booth or the central reservations office.

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Alcatraz Island tours – tickets, prices, discounts, ferry timings, duration

Alcatraz Island is a small island in San Francisco Bay, California, USA.

The island is best known for its former prison, which operated from 1934 to 1963 and housed some of the country’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.

In addition to its history as a federal prison, Alcatraz Island has been used for military purposes, as a lighthouse station, and as a site for Native American activism.

More than one million tourists book an Alcatraz tour and visit Alcatraz Island annually.

The island also offers stunning views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge.

This article covers everything you must know before buying an Alcatraz Island ticket.

Top Alcatraz Island Tours

# Tickets for San Francisco: Alcatraz + 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus # Alcatraz Inside Tour with Bay Cruise

Table of contents

Where is alcatraz, can you visit alcatraz, what to expect at alcatraz, where to book tickets, how do online tickets work, alcatraz island ticket price, alcatraz island tickets, tickets for san francisco: alcatraz + 2-day hop-on hop-off bus, alcatraz combo tours, how to reach pier 33, ferry timings in summer, ferry timings in winter, best month(s) to visit, how long does a tour of alcatraz take, map of alcatraz island, what to wear for the alcatraz tour, alcatraz audio tour, alcatraz tickets faqs.

Alcatraz is a rocky island 2 km (1.5 miles) from the San Francisco shore. ( Get Directions )

This island occupies 22 acres (9 hectares).

Yes, the Alcatraz prison and island grounds are open to the public.

Tourists can plan to visit Alcatraz any day of the year except Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day – the three days it is closed.

All you need to do is book an Alcatraz island tour.

Take the ferry ride starting from the famous PIER 39 and immerse yourself in breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline en route to Alcatraz island.

Dive deep into the rich history of the notorious Alcatraz Penitentiary, where infamous criminals like Al Capone were once held.

Step into the cells that once housed some of America’s most notorious criminals and feel the chilling atmosphere of “The Rock.”

Engage in the award-winning audio tour narrated by former inmates and guards, providing a gripping narrative of daily life behind bars.

Explore the prison’s iconic features, including the ominous Cell Block D and the haunting exercise yard with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Listen to the captivating tales of escape attempts and prison life as you traverse the cold, echoing corridors.

Beyond the penitentiary, discover the island’s natural beauty, featuring diverse wildlife, gardens, and stunning vistas

Tickets for San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour  are available online and at the tour agency office.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters. 

Because the Inside Alcatraz experience sells limited tickets, they may sell out during peak days.

Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

Visit the ticket  booking page for San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour  , select the preferred date, time slot, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets immediately.

Once you purchase tickets, they get delivered to your email address.

You will show your smartphone tickets to your tour guide, who will then give you the Alcatraz Island tickets.

Please carry a valid ID with you.

For San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise , the general ticket for all ages above 12, costs US$135.

Children aged between five and 11 get a US$10 discount and can participate in the tour for US$125.

Kids under five years old are not charged any fee.

For Tickets for San Francisco: Alcatraz + 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus , the general ticket for all ages is priced at US$120.

This ticket is the most popular way to explore Alcatraz Island and the penitentiary.

This ticket covers:

• Round-trip Ferry transportation from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island
• The on-board narration during the round-trip ferry ride
• The Cell House audio guide
• The tour of the prison (using the audio guide)
• Other programs and exhibits going on in Alcatraz
• Passage under the Golden Gate Bridge during the San Francisco Bat Tour.

This tour will last for four hours and is accessible to wheelchair users.

Ticket Prices

Adult ticket (12+ years): US$135

Child ticket (5-11 years): US$125

Kids up to four years old can participate for free.

This ticket provides you with a round trip to access to and from Alcatraz Islands and its exhibits via a ferry.

You will have an audio guide at Alcatraz, but not the Cell House Audio tape that has a running commentary from Alcatraz inmates.

You will also have two-day access to a Hop-on-Hop-Off bus tour of San Francisco that loops around attractions such as Lombard Street, Haight Street, Embracadero, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Golden Gate Bridge, among 15 other stops.

You will have an audio commentary on the bus in a language of your choice.

The Hop-on-Hop-off tours run every day from 10 am to 5 pm, with buses departing every 60 minutes.

You will also get a Chinatown guided walking tour and have the option to pick from a half-day bike rental tour or USS Pampanito

Ticket Price (All ages): US$120

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Combo tickets help you save a lot of money and time by pairing up tickets to attractions that are relatively close by at a highly discounted price

Every day, a limited number of Alcatraz tour tickets get allotted to tour operators in San Francisco to be sold as Alcatraz combo tours.

Below, we share our favorite combo tours, including a visit to Alcatraz Island.

Or you can see all the  available Alcatraz tours .

Since even Alcatraz combination tickets get sold off fast, it isn’t easy to get your preferred dates.

You may have to search for a suitable Alcatraz combination tour with your preferred dates available.

Can’t afford so much? Try this tour, where you  cruise around Alcatraz Island for 90 minutes for only US$47 per person.

If these combo tours didn’t excite you, check out these time-tested tricks to buy  Alcatraz tickets last minute .

How to reach Alcatraz Cruises

Alcatraz Island tour ferries depart from and return to Pier 33, also known as Alcatraz Landing .

Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is along San Francisco’s northern waterfront promenade, also known as The Embarcadero.

Pier 33 is near the intersections of Sansome Street, The Embarcadero, Bay Street, and Embarcadero.

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

The Alcatraz Landing area at Pier 33 includes the Ticket booth, waiting, and boarding areas.

You can use BART or MUNI to get to the Pier 33, two mini-bus and light-rail mass transportation services in San Francisco.

North Point St & Kearny St bus stop is just a three-minute walk away.

Powell St & North Point St is a ten-minute walk away.

Bay St. and Midway St. bus stop is a six-minute walk away.

LOWL bus lines stop near the Pier.

By Cable Car

The MUNI F line stops at The Embarcadero & Stockton St , a one-minute walk from the pier.

All odd-number piers on San Francisco’s waterfront are north of the city’s famous Ferry Building , at the foot of Market Street, and all the even-numbered piers are south of the Ferry Building. 

Many tourists don’t realize this and land up at Piers 30, 32, or 34, which are miles from the spot from where they must board the Alcatraz Island ferry.

Cars for rent and Taxis for hire are easily available in San Francisco.

Put on Google Maps to navigate to Pier 33.

If you plan to board an Alcatraz ferry to the Island, we don’t recommend driving to Pier 33.

Parking is difficult to find and very expensive in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, especially in the summer and spring months.

You may miss your scheduled departure if you don’t find parking in time.

It is better to get dropped off at Pier 33 or take public transport.

A list of parking spots can be found here.

Alcatraz tour times

Alcatraz Island opens for tourists as early as 8.45 am.

The first ferry of the day is the ‘Early Bird Tour,’ which is available for booking throughout the year.

The rest of the Alcatraz tour timings change with the season.

Alcatraz & Angel Island Combo tour happens at 9.30 am all through the year.

Best time to visit Alcatraz Island

Early morning is the best time to visit Alcatraz – if you get the ‘Early Bird Alcatraz ticket’ and board the ferry departing Pier 33 at 8.45 am, you can avoid the crowd that comes in later.

The next best time to visit Alcatraz Island is 6 pm in the summer and 4 pm in winter – on the night tour ferry.

Only some people opt for the night tour of Alcatraz Island , making it seem personalized.

As a bonus, you will see amazing views of a lit-up San Francisco skyline when you return from the Island.

Mondays to Thursdays are the best days to visit the island because weekends get crowded.

The late winter months of January, February, and March see the least crowd at Alcatraz.

The weather is less pleasant than expected, and there is always a threat of rain.

However, since the ferries have covered seating, rains don’t affect the travel to Alcatraz Island.

If you want to avoid the crowd and prefer good weather, look at September and October at the latest.

Note:  San Francisco weather is unpredictable. It can get sunny, foggy, or chilly at an hour’s notice, so it is better to dress in layers.

The Alcatraz Island day tour includes the ferry ride to Alcatraz Island, the Cell House audio tour, the optional exhibits, and the ferry ride back, all of which take approximately three hours.

The ferry rides take 12-15 minutes each way, allowing for two and a half hours on the island.

If you love history, like to get into the details, and prefer to take many photographs, you can easily spend four to five hours exploring Alcatraz.

Here are the three factors which impact the duration of Alcatraz tours most:

• Once you get down at Alcatraz Island, a steep 400 meters (1312 feet) climb takes you to the Cell House. This elevation change is 40 meters (130 feet). Some visitors prefer to rest in between, while others manage this distance faster.
• While some tourists stop to catch their breath, others stop for the breathtaking view during this climb. The sights are so alluring that many tourists take it easy and spend extra time.
• The Cell House audio tour at Alcatraz is 45 minutes long. However, you can pause it at regular intervals and pace your exploration.

Alcatraz night tours also tend to take three hours.

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During your visit, it will help to have the Alcatraz Island map.

Even though you are not likely to get lost, you will know where the facilities are, where the Agave trail is, where the bird-watching space is, etc.

We recommend you save this map (pdf) on your mobile or bookmark this page to return to it later.

The weather on Alcatraz is unpredictable and subject to change at short notice.

However bright the day begins, dress up in layers and bring a light jacket or sweater.

Once you reach Alcatraz Island, you must climb 400 meters (1312 feet) to the Cell House.

While exploring the San Francisco attraction, you will also get exposed to stairways and gravel walkways, so wearing comfortable and covered walking shoes is an absolute must.

It is better to avoid sandals, high heels, and open-toe shoes.

The sunlight reflecting off the bay’s surface can be dangerously bright on the water and the island. We highly recommend sunglasses and sunblock.

Rain is a high possibility if you are visiting during winter and early spring.

The Alcatraz Cellhouse audio tour is at the core of the Alcatraz experience and is included with every Alcatraz ticket. 

Visitors can tour the Cellhouse at their own pace with the award-winning audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour.”

The 45-minute-long tour introduces four former Alcatraz officers and four former inmates, who narrate the tour.

You will be shown a photograph of each man in one of the first prison cells, with a short biography, and having a face to each personality adds that extra zip to the narration.

This audio tour also covers escape attempts, the Battle of ’46, food riots at the jail, how the prisoners survived solitary confinement, etc.

Besides English, the Cell House audio tour is available in ten other languages. 

You can use the traditional audio tour equipment provided at the attraction or download the mobile app on your device (bring your earbuds). 

You can check out a sample of the Alcatraz Cellhouse audio tour  here .

Tourists have a lot of questions before they buy their Alcatraz Island tickets.

Tickets to Alcatraz Island can sell out much in advance. Please secure your tickets on the Alcatraz ferry as soon as you finalize the plan. Alcatraz tickets get sold out 75 days in advance during the peak summer months. During the months with moderate tourist activity (September and October), Alcatraz tour tickets get booked 45 to 50 days in advance.

Alcatraz ticket booth is at  Pier 33 , The Embarcadero, San Francisco. The office is open seven days a week from 7.30 am to 5 pm Pacific Time.

You can buy the tickets at Pier 33, but we recommend buying tickets online to avoid hassle and last-minute disappointment.

Alcatraz tickets get sold out very fast from the official website. If you are searching for Alcatraz tickets at the last minute, your only option is to  book a combo tour , which includes a ferry ride to the Alcatraz prison island and back

Every day, guests can purchase a limited number of same-day Alcatraz tour tickets from the Alcatraz City Cruises ticket office at Pier 33. The authorities sell it to the tourists on a first-come, first-served basis, so you may have to line up at 5 am.  We suggest  Alcatraz Combo tours  instead.

The  Alcatraz Night Tour  is also often called the Alcatraz Haunted Tour. This is because the guides who lead the Alcatraz night tour use the darkness and fewer visitors at night to create a ‘haunted’ experience.

Wherever you buy your Alcatraz tour tickets from, there is no refund. There will be no compensation for no-shows as well.

Yes, all Alcatraz tickets include the full experience – ferry transportation both ways, access to the Alcatraz prison on the Island, and the Cell House audio tour.

Alcatraz tour tickets are sometimes referred to as ‘Alcatraz boat tickets’ because they include the ferry to Alcatraz Island and back.

Sources # Alcatrazislandtickets.com # Tripadvisor.com # Alcatraztoursf.com 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 .

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This article was researched & written by

Barkha Tiwari

She is a holidaymaker comfortable with vacations on sandy beaches or breaks where she is skiing in the snow. She mixes up her holidays with the right amount of activity and lazing around and believes that both are needed in the right amount to experience the world’s cultures and destinations. Favorite Cities: Prague, Budapest, Munich, Florence

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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Alcatraz Trips – Visit The Rock

If you’re going to San Francisco, why not take one of our Alcatraz tours to learn about the city’s landscape? If you’re a history buff or a true crime fan, see the past come to life on an Alcatraz guided tour.

Embark on a fifteen-minute ferry ride to Alcatraz from San Francisco’s Embarcadero. You’ll have amazing views of the classic San Francisco skyline, including Angel Island and the famous orange arches of the Golden Gate Bridge.

When you reach Alcatraz Island’s shore, all visitors view an orientation video and can embark on ranger-led and docent tours. There is also a multi-language audio tour available on all Alcatraz guided tours called “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour”, which paints a vivid scene with interviews from former inmates and employees. Once you’re through with the sights, simply catch a ferry back to land. They run every 30-40 minutes, so there’s no chance you’ll be trapped here!

If you’re brave enough, join us on our Alcatraz Night Tour & San Francisco Bay Tour to encounter ‘The Rock’ by moonlight. The night shift gives visitors exclusive access to parts of the former jail not open to the public by day. This atmospheric Alcatraz trip is like no other.

Incredible Adventures also offers multi-day tours to extend our Alcatraz excursions with highlights from the surrounding areas. Fancy yourself a tech whizz? Try our Silicon Valley Tech Tour + Alcatraz Tour to visit the world’s tech capital and visit global giants Google, Facebook, and Apple, after you’ve done time.

Perhaps you’d prefer to sample the region’s delicious grapes on an idyllic wine tour? Immerse yourself in the sunny vineyards and wine caves on our Alcatraz Island Tour and Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour .

If you’re keen to head to The Rock on your San Francisco vacation, let us help you plan your visit! Get in touch to find out more about our Alcatraz trips.

About Our Alcatraz Excursions

Alcatraz was initially documented by Juan Manuel de Ayala, a Spanish naval officer and explorer, in 1775 when California was under Spanish rule. He called the island, “La Isla de Los Alcatraces,” or “The Island of the Pelicans,” due to the birds that roosted on its rocky crags. The name was later shortened to Alcatraz.

The island is just 1.25 miles off the coast of San Francisco, which made it a useful military asset. Alcatraz was bought by the United States government from its private owner in the 1850s after the Mexican-American War. United States Army Corps of Engineers began fortifying the island until Fort Alcatraz was completed in 1958, a perfect place to position coastal protection.

Although it functioned as a military arsenal and holding place for military prisoners during the American Civil War, Alcatraz is most famous for its time as a Federal Prison from 1934-1963.

Designed to house prisoners that caused continuous disruption in other federal prisons, The Rock housed famous criminals including Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.

While there are urban legends aplenty about Alcatraz escapes, it is believed that no inmate ever successfully left The Rock without permission.

After closing as a federal prison in 1963, the island was occupied by Native American activists from 1969 to 1971. They protested federal policies that denied land rights to Native tribes, which sparked similar protests across the country. The protestors were forcibly removed by the government and the Native land rights battle continues to this day. The island’s cultural exhibits recognize the native people’s former occupation and highlight their political cause.

In 1968, Alcatraz was declared a National Historic Landmark, shortly after, the island became a recreation area in 1972 under the protection and management of the National Parks System.

Now, more than one million people visit Alcatraz Island annually to learn about its rich history.

Outside of its socio-political history, Alcatraz is also home to the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States. Its natural features include rock pools and a seabird colony comprised mostly of western gulls, cormorants, and egrets. Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife that inhabits this otherwise isolated island!

If you’re keen to step foot into American history, book your Alcatraz tour tickets today! Your visit to The Rock will be unforgettable.

All Alcatraz Tours

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Alcatraz Night Tour and Aquarium + Muir Woods and Sonoma Wine Country

Alcatraz Day Tour + Silicon Valley Day Tour

Alcatraz Day Tour and Aquarium + Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour with Ferry

Alcatraz Day Tour and Aquarium + Yosemite Day Tour

Alcatraz Day Tour and Aquarium + Muir Woods with Napa & Sonoma Wine Country

Sausalito kayak private group tour.

San Francisco Bay Sailing Tour & Alcatraz Night Tour

2-Day San Francisco City Tour & Alcatraz Tour

San Francisco Bay Cruise & Alcatraz Night Tour

Alcatraz day tour & san francisco bay sunset cruise.

Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Tour

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3 Best Alcatraz Tours

Check out these 3 Best Alcatraz Tours list if you plan a trip to San Francisco. A trip to Alcatraz Island is a must-do during your visit to San Francisco. The famous legendary prison island on San Francisco Bay makes a huge impression. Prison cells, thick walls, and bars make you move your imagination to the movie Escape from Alcatraz. What are the 3 best Alcatraz tours? What to choose when visiting San Francisco? In this post, we share our photos and reviews from the best Alcatraz tours we made. We share our personal opinions and tips on how to book an Alcatraz ticket.

The 3 Best Alcatraz Tours – Introduction

One of the most famous prisons in the world is Alcatraz, California . It is worth visiting it during a trip to San Francisco. The choice of Alcatraz Island tours is huge. You may be confused about what to decide to book. So in this post, we present the best Alcatraz tours and photos we took during these trips. We share some tips about booking tickets. We hope it can help you decide which Alcatraz tour to choose when you visit San Fransisco .

Trip Tip Planning: If you plan a trip to San Francisco, check out our related articles: San Francisco 3 Days itinerary , Where to Stay in San Francisco? Yosemite National Park 2 Days Itinerary . Here you will find all our California articles .

Facts About Alcatraz Island & Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary

The beginnings of the alcatraz prison.

• The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary is also known as the United States Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island, or The Rock.
• Alcatraz Island is located 1.25 miles (2.01 km) off the coast of San Francisco.
• The main prison building was built in 1910–1912 as a United States Army military prison. But Alcatraz also used to be a lighthouse, military fort. The island became a prison of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1934.
• It was a maximum-security federal prison. Moreover, the Island location and cold waters of San Francisco Bay allowed believing prison operators that Alcatraz is escape-proof and America’s strongest prison.

The most famous convicts

• Alcatraz prison could house 450 convicts in cells measured about 10 feet by 4.5 feet (3 meters by 1.5 meters). But no more than 250 prisoners ever occupied the island at one time.
• Alcatraz served as a prison for the most dangerous convicts in the American penitentiary system. Among its famous denizens were Al “Scarface” Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz,” and Alvin “Creepy Karpis” Karpowicz. During the Alcatraz tour, you will see the cells of some of them.

Escape from Alcatraz

• There were 14 known attempts to escape from Alcatraz, involving 36 inmates. 23 inmates were captured, six were shot and killed during their attempted getaways, two drowned, and five went missing and were presumed drowned.
• From May 2 to May 4, 1946, the “Battle of Alcatraz” took place. 6 inmates tried to escape from Alcatraz. Prisoners overpowered their guards and obtained firearms and keys to the cell block. U.S. Marines stormed the cell block and suppressed the incident. Two guards and three escapees were killed. Moreover, more than a dozen guards were wounded. A few inmates did manage to escape from Alcazar island. But it is not known whether they survived in the cold waters of San Francisco Bay.
• This famous attempt to escape was popularized in the Clint Eastwood movie Escape from Alcatraz in 1979. It is worth seeing it before an Alcatraz tour.

The End of Alcatraz Penitentiary

• The Alcatraz penitentiary was shut down in 1963 because its operating expenses were too high. Through the years, Alcatraz housed a total of 1,576 men.
• From November 1969 to June 1971, the Alcatraz island was occupied by Native American activists. They were protesting the U.S. government’s ongoing economic, social, and political neglect of Native Americans.
• In 1972 the Alcatraz island became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. From 1973 is open to the public.
• From 1980 is organized Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon . The event includes a 1.5-mile swim to San Francisco, plus an 18-mile bike ride and an 8-mile run.

Tips Before you Book the Best Alcatraz Tour

Is the alcatraz tour worth it.

The tour of Alcatraz is worth it. A trip to the famous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary is extremely attractive educational, historical, and architectural. A visit to San Francisco without seeing the most famous USA prison is incomplete.

Should I book the best Alcatraz tour tickets in advance?

Definitely, Alcatraz Island is a trendy place. And it is worth booking a trip well in advance. Otherwise, you can get stuck in the 3-4 hour line waiting for the island’s ferry and not getting a ticket. Tickets to Alcatraz are in high demand, so it happens that you can’t get to the ferry without an earlier booking. Alcatraz Tours can fill up about 90 days in advance, especially during tourist peak months.

During a pandemic, booking is mandatory due to a limited number of places.

How long does the best Alcatraz tour last?

All Alcatraz Island tours depart from and return to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, along the Embarcadero. It takes about 15 minutes to get by ferry to Alcatraz Island. Visiting the prison will take approximately 2 hours. So, book for your Alcatraz trip for around 3 hours.

Is it better to visit Alcatraz in the morning or afternoon?

Visiting Alcatraz is interesting both during the day and at night. The early morning was the best for us because we could focus on photos.

Can you go to Alcatraz Island without a tour?

Yes. You don’t have to buy an organized tour, but you must pre-book your ferry and ticket on the official website. Well in advance. Otherwise, you may not be able to get to the famous Alcatraz Island. You’re stuck in the line. All Alcatraz Island tours depart from and return to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, located along San Francisco’s northern waterfront promenade.

When you get by ferry to Alcatraz island, you will get the Cellhouse Audio Tour at the ticket price. You can stay on Alcatraz Island as long as you like, but you can enjoy the Cellhouse Audio Tour for two hours. Check the ferry departure schedule to get back to the mainland. It is also the cheapest option to visit Alcatraz. A return ferry ticket and entry to the prison with an audio guide cost only $41. Even if, like us, you buy a combined Alcatraz tour, the prison sightseeing is possible with the audio guide.

The 3 Best Alcatraz Tours

Alcatraz early morning access tour.

We decided on Alcatraz Early Morning Access Tour . We wanted to visit the Alcatraz prison when there were no crowds yet to feel the atmosphere of this place and take good photos. And that was a great idea. We could easily see the prison’s interior, courtyard, and other corners of the island. Moreover, we could take pictures with no random people in the frame. It’s important for us, as we love taking pictures. We could enjoy the exploration of Alcatraz island. So, if you want to avoid crowds is one of the best Alcatraz tours.

Sunset Cruise over San Francisco Bay

Last evening in San Francisco, we chose a Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Catamaran . On this trip, you do not descend to Alcatraz island but sail past it. But it’s an amazing experience. The views were stunning. It was relaxing sailing by Alcatraz Island, Sausalito, and the Golden Gate Bridge. View of the San Francisco city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge as the Pacific Ocean’s sunset were breathtaking. The Alcatraz prison looked a little creepy and majesty under the night lanterns. We could imagine how convicts tried to escape from the rocky island under cover of night.

Moreover, the price of this Sunset Cruise is affordable, and the experience is amazing. It’s one of the best Alcatraz tours. Therefore, we can honestly recommend it. It can be an interesting option, especially for couples who want a romantic evening.

Other Exciting Alcatraz Tours

We have been to San Francisco many times. We love this city, and we visit it often. But we have made two Alcatraz tours so far. We can only recommend tours that we did. But of course, the choice of offers is much wider, depending on your interests or needs. On our dream list is Scenic Flight Tour . We would love to fly over San Fransisco Bay, taking in views and photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, and more.

The best Alcatraz tours you will find on viator.com , a TripAdvisor company , or getyourguide.com , also has great offers and prices.

If you plan a visit to San Fransisco and don’t know where to stay, check our related article .

Plan a trip to California? Check out our related articles

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Agnes Stabinska is a writer, photographer, and co-founder of The Van Escape. She loves wildlife, landscape photography, and outdoor adventures, especially hiking, camping, and exploring U.S. national parks. Although she has traveled to many countries for almost 20 years, her favorite places are Alaska, the American Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest, which she often visits and explore with her partner, Chris. Their travel tips, itineraries, and recommendations will help you get away from it all and plan a wonderful vacation.

21 Comments

I’ve always wanted to go to Alcatraz but I had no idea there were guarded tours, I thought travelers would had to sneak in and do urban exploring (shows what I know).  How was the atmosphere while you were there? Was it eerie? I imagine it would be eerie or dark. 

I’ve always thought the story of Alcatraz was fascinating. So cool that you got to actually visit! I still find it so crazy that people still tried to escape from the unescapable prison, clearly none of them successfully. Historical landmarks with an interesting story like these are my favorite to visit. Thanks for sharing!

I only know Alcatraz from movies. It would be so cool to actually visit it and see the place in person. And it’s interesting how they have a triathlon there. If I were a triathlete, that would have been on my bucket list.

Wow! This trip sounds so interesting. I have watched the movie Escape from Alcatraz and have wondered how will it be to visit the place. I am sure it will be fascinating to visit Alcatraz. It was good to know about the place and I am really interested in the Triathlon. 

I had no idea that we can actually visit or have a tour I have only heard about Alcatraz in the movies so this is a unique and exciting experience. Thank you for sharing this. Will definitely consider this should we have a chance to be in SF again. 

I missed the Alcatraz Tour because of the line, like you mentioned above. Now I know what to do next time we go to San Francisco. I think to take the early morning tour is the best option. I don’t like seeing random people in my pictures as well. 

I would love to visit the Alcatraz prison, that sounds so cool. Alcatraz Island looks so pretty and I have definitely added it to my list of places to see. I think I will take a tour to the island than doing it myself as sometimes tours give more information about the place.

Ah! I’ve been to San Francisco many times, but I have never been to Alcatraz. So sad! I’d love to see Al Capone’s cell and hear about the escapes. It has such interesting history! 

I had no idea that Alcatraz is so fascinating. I also did not know that its America’s strongest prison. I had read about it but had no idea that there were tours to see the island. I am sure the experience would have been unlike any trip. And this indeed looks like a rocky island, hard to escape from. Audio tour sounds great. 

The history of Alcatraz is so interesting. I didn’t visit on my last visit to San Francisco and really regret this now. I guess I have to go again to do one of the tours!

This would definitely be something me and my partner would want to do. I haven’t been to san francisco yet but my fella swam from the bay to the island for some fun raising and then went back to visit. He really loved it. Such a fascinating piece of histor

Honestly, I thought Alcatraz was still a prison. So cool to actually learn about it! I’ll definitely need to do a tour one day

ugh – i really regret not visiting alcatraz during my time in san francisco, but i guess that just means ill have to go back one day 😛

I did the Alcatraz tour when I visited with my young son.  I remember it made a big impression on him at the time.  It was fascinating to see how the inmates lived.  All with a view of San Francisco across the bay.  I never knew you could go by ferry and use an audio guide.  May be worth a re-visit on a return trip.

I think an Alcatraz tour is generally thrilling. However, I also somehow feel that there are corners that are creepy. But I’d definitely want to try it.

This is so useful; thank you so much. I really loved your recommendation for the movie – also love to watch movies that reflect the history of places I am going to visit. So thank you for this advice. Very inspirational. 

I enjoyed learning about the interesting history of Alcatraz in your post. I love your suggestion to see the movie before visiting there. It’s hard to believe that so many inmates tried to escape given the harsh conditions they had to endure to make it to the mainland.  

I honestly never knew such a place even existed, but it does look incredible and an once in a lifetime thing to experience! I love the sunset pictures! 

As a Bay Area native, I remember visiting Alcatraz as a kid. I was always scared because I’d heard it’s haunted so I hated going there and didn’t get why people liked it. But your photos make it look so interesting, and even the boat ride to and from the island look appealing. I may have to visit again as an adult, thanks for sharing!

amazing, thnaks for sharring..

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary is a place of intrigue after reading your post. I like being part of a historical past by visiting such sites, would be nice to explore. The cruise during sunset looks ethereal! 

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Behind bars: My review of Alcatraz Prison Tours

• Posted by by Elle-Rose
• Updated: June 26, 2020
• 5 minute read

Are you looking for an in-depth review of Alcatraz, from someone who has actually been there? If so – keep reading.

On our recent trip to San Francisco I knew one of the thing we absolutely had to do – was visit Alcatraz.

But the first bit of advice I’m going to give you (and it’ll save you time, money and tears) is this: YOU HAVE TO BOOK WELL IN ADVANCE. 

You can’t just ‘turn up’ for Alcatraz. If you want to ensure you get to go, and you want to pay ‘normal’ prices (and not extortionate third-party, last-minute prices) you need to visit the official website, and try and book tickets at least a month ahead of time. Don’t forget to do this, because if you do you’ll just be disappointed. 

But anyway – now onto the good stuff!

The first views you’ll get during your Alcatraz experience are actually from the ferry as you leave mainland San Francisco. Get a good spot stood at the sides of the boat (ignore everyone who sits down… they don’t know what they’re doing). You’ll get some incredible shots of the city, as well as the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge too.

When you first arrive at Alcatraz Island

The first thing you do when you get off the boat (after you take a selfie at the sign!) is listen to a park ranger give a little presentation and intro speech. It’s worth sticking around for this, it only takes 15 minutes.

In these first few shots, you can see me listening to the Park Ranger and familiarising myself with the Alcatraz Prison tour map. There is also the famous Alcatraz sign – definitely a worthy photo-stop.

It’s also worth watching the starter movie (housed in the gift shop halfway up the hill to the prison). Videos aren’t usually my thing, but it was only about 10 minutes long, and it was actually good to get a bit of context about the island before heading out and exploring it.

One of the things the Park Ranger told us about the sign you can see in the image above (apparently it’s pretty special) was that it holds all the layers to Alcatraz’s history. Not only does it show proof of the army base, and prison days (which is what you’re probably most familiar with) – but it also has graffiti left by the Indian protestors in the 1970s, along with the National Park signage – which is the status the island holds today. So that’s pretty cool – and something you wouldn’t know if you’d have run off without listening to him.

Now, into the actual prison… 

After about a 10 minute walk up the hill to the big prison building (it’s not too steep… so don’t worry) you enter the prison through an unassuming side door. The first room you get to see is actually the rooms where new arriving prisoners would’ve also walked through. You walk along the medical centre, and alongside the showers where prisoners would been hosed down.

Once you’ve been through this area, you get given your audio tour headphones and you’re free to follow it round when you’re ready. It’s kind of exciting to be honest – I’d never done an audio tour before (especially not in a prison) so I couldn’t wait to get going.

Tip: If you’re with someone, make sure you both press play at the same time. otherwise you’ll be walking away from each other throughout the tour! 

This photo (below) might seem a bit random, but I took it because of how incredibly thick the glass was. It was about 5 inches thick….

The tour leads you around various parts of the prison, and you listen to stories from both the prisoners and from the guards as you go. They’re real people telling real stories – and it makes for an amazing tour – unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. You almost find yourself lost in the prison, like you’ve been transported back there.

It’s really important to remember when you’re in the prison, that nothing has been changed. It’s exactly how it was – right down to the escape routes and holes in the walls!

My favourite part of the tour

My favourite part of the tour was seeing the outdoor recreation yard. That was so bizarre – so don’t miss the part of the audio tour that takes you out there. 

There I was stood in this yard, on the same ground where some of the most dangerous criminals to have ever lived once stood. There I was looking at the same view they did. Hearing the same sounds they had. It was a bit overwhelming to be honest, and a strange thing to get your head around. Pad captured the photos below when I wasn’t aware – and you can see the thoughtfulness in my face. I was absolutely lost in thoughts.

You know what though… the view from that yard was incredible. Maybe one of the best views we saw the entire time we were in San Francisco. It must have been torture to be locked away and have to stare out at such a beautiful city. The phrase ‘so close yet so far’ never rung truer…

Tip: The island is really windy (much more than on the mainland) so make sure you take a jacket or cardigan – and don’t wear a dress that will easily blow up. We got lucky because it was an exceptionally hot day so we didn’t feel the cold too bad, but my dress did blow up! 

Can you look around the actual prison cells?

Your next stop on the tour is the high security bit of the prison, or ‘solitary’ as they called it.

The tour invites you to step inside the cells (which was awesome and frightening all at once) and listen to the kinds of sounds the prisoners would’ve heard. At one point you listen to a prisoner’s own account of solitary, and how he used to cope with the darkness. It’s incredible to be stood where he stood, whilst he tells you about his own experience. Part of his account was that he’d start at the tiny bit of light was ages, and then suddenly close his eyes. With his eyes closed he’d let the little bit of light remaining turn into shapes, and a TV – and then he’d watch this fake TV in his minds eye.

He describes the experience as ‘tripping’ and as I tried to do what he explained, I couldn’t have agreed more.The solitary cells were darker than dark. It must’ve been a scary place.

Once you’ve seen the worst of the prison, you then get lead over to what might have been described as ‘the best’. The tour leads you into the staff quarters, and into the generals office. The staff of the island actually lived on the island too – including their  families and children. They show you photos of the children who lived on the island, with narrative from the children (who are now adults) describing how much they loved family life on Alcatraz.

Of course these families didn’t live in the prison – they lived in specially built houses which formed a small neighbourhood on another side of the island. I found this incredible to comprehend.The last stop, is the kitchen and dining room – which is where the tour finishes. Once you’ve had your fill staring through the white metal bars and taking it all in, you can begin the beautiful walk down to the harbour again.

Tip: The boats back to San Francisco leave at set times, so it’s worth snapping a photo of your phone before you head up to the prison of the schedule. That way you can make sure you get down to the harbour in time for a boat. We arrived just as one was leaving, which was a bit annoying – so learn from my mistake! Have you been to Alcatraz? Got any tips or advice? Please share them in the comments below!

Elle-Rose is the owner and editor of The World and Then Some! She has been a professional travel writer for over 12 years, writing for many different publications, including this one. Elle-Rose is a city break expert, and she specializes in popular locations such as NYC, London, Las Vegas and Dubai, regularly visiting to stay on top of new attractions, restaurants and hotels. Elle-Rose is super active on TikTok (@theworldandthensome), and loves filming video content in the cities she visits - so go and say hello!

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Absolutely loved my visit to Alcatraz, it really inspired me to learn a bit more about the history around it. Would highly recommend it for any San Fran visit, and definitely book in advance.

North of London – Beauty Blog

That view is so beautiful (in the bridge) but i feel sad when i see those prison pictures. :/ xo , Lovelacee purchase twitter favorites .

I went in March for the night tour, and I would totally recommend that! It’s extra eery to be on the island at night!

Great article! We are headed to San Francisco for the first time next month and I am looking forward to Alcatraz. Thanks for the tips! -Evanne

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Alcatraz Day Tour

Alcatraz night tour.

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Accessibility Advisory: The distance from the dock to the Cellhouse is approximately 1/4 mile, and the elevation change is a steep 130 feet. There are several places to rest and take in the views. Athletic or comfortable walking shoes are recommended. If you have mobility concerns, please see Accessibility for Sustainable Easy Access Transport (S.E.A.T.) Tram information.

Ferry to Alcatraz Island. Tour the Inside of the Cellhouse. Explore Alcatraz Island.

• Approximately 2 ½ Hours
• Daily departures: 8:40 AM to 3:50 PM
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• Adult Price: $53.25
• Seniors: $50.65
• Children: $35.55  

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The Complete Alcatraz Tour

• Tuesday thru Saturday. Until March 9th: 3:50 PM check-in. Beginning March 12th: 5:55 PM, 6:30 PM and 7:05 PM check-in.
• 45-minute Cellhouse Audio Tour
• Onboard narration
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• Adult Price: $64.30
• Seniors: $60.25
• Children: $41.00  

Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour

The Ultimate Alcatraz Experience

• 4 to 5 Hours
• Tuesday thru Saturday, Check-In Time: 2:15 PM and 2:45 PM until March 9th. Spring/Summer: 4:20 PM and 4:50 PM Check-in.
• Ferry ride to and from Alcatraz Island
• Two-hour Park Ranger guided tour with small group of 20 people or fewer tour guests
• Award-winning Cellhouse audio tour
• Additional programs and exhibits
• Docent guided tours and talks
• Adult Price: $109.30
• Seniors: $102.25
• Age 12-17: $105.10  

Thank you for visiting www.alcatrazislandtickets.com . Reservations and E-tickets are genuine for the tour which includes the ferry service. We also provide extended around-the-clock customer care seven days a week, including holidays. We're a private Customer Service and Booking company. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction. Please share your experience with us at: Customer Care . This website isn't affiliated with any government entity and isn't the official box office. Total at checkout may exceed face value.  

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