Alcatraz Day Tour

This tour consists of a ferry ride to Alcatraz and an award winning self guided audio tour of Alcatraz.

Today Alcatraz is San Francisco's most popular tourist attraction, about a million people visit the island each year, but for 30 years it was the most infamous prison in the country.

The ferry ride to Alcatraz takes about 15 minutes. Once on the island, a ranger provides a 5-minute orientation and then you are off to explore the prison. A five minute walk up the hill on the old service road take you from the wharf to the cell house. Along the way you can stop and visit exhibits and enjoy the views. For those with physical disabilities, the park service provides a tram. It runs every hour on the hour.

You enter the cell house from the east side where you pick up your cell audio guide. The award-winning audio tour of the prison Cell House includes actual interviews of former guards and inmates (available in six languages - English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish). The audio tour is 30 minutes long, but it will take you about 45 minutes to an hour to tour the cell house. This award winning audio tour is excellent.

After the audio tour you can wander around the island as long as you wish. The island provides fantastic views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco Bay.

Most people spend about an hour and half on the island, making the total tour time from Fisherman’s wharf 2 or 2-1/2 hours. Ferries return every 1/2 hour. You can stay on the island as long as you wish.

We provide a booking service for purchasing Alcatraz tickets. The prices shown on this page includes the booking fee. The tickets will be purchased in your name. You will pickup your tickets at the pre-paid window or the ticket kiosk at Pier 33.

We update our inventory daily, but cannot guarantee availability.

No food or drinks on allowed on Alcatraz Island.

Alcatraz Island is managed by the National Park Service.

Departure Times: 

Every half hour between 9:30 am and 5:20 pm. The last departure is at 2:15 pm during the winter months.

Departs From: 

Fisherman Wharf Pier 33

Duration:       2 to 2-1/2hours

Ferries return from Alcatraz Island every 1/2 hour. You may stay on the island as long as you wish. Most people spend 2 hours on the tour.

Includes Hotel Pickup:     No

Tour Includes Meals:   No

Dress:

Casual. Alcatraz tends to be foggy in the morning and warmer in the afternoon. Wear layered clothing.

Cancellation Policy:

All sales are final. No refunds, exchanges or cancellations.

Tickets & Confirmation:
Immediately after submitting your reservation, your receipt will be displayed. The receipt will contain the tour operator's contact information and your reservation number. A copy of the receipt will also be emailed to you.  Within 24 hours you will receive notice that your tour voucher is ready for printing. You will need to return to this web site to print your voucher.   You will need to present the confirmation number and voucher to the tour operator on the day of your activity.