alcatraz

ALCATRAZ ISLAND TOURS AND TICKETS 2025

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Guided Experience

  • Informative stories
  • Live and audio guides available
  • Transportation to Alcatraz Island available
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We have the best tours for you, recommended by our travel experts for their value and experience.

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Reserve Now & Pay Later

  • Easy booking
  • Instant confirmation
  • Flexibility with free cancellation

Pick one of our Alcatraz Tours and learn about its intriguing history

Alcatraz Island is best known for the federal penitentiary, which operated from 1934 to 1964, and where dangerous criminals like Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert Stroud, also known as the “Birdman of Alcatraz,” were imprisoned. Strong ocean currents and its cold water made escape even harder, and attempts were uncommon. A few prisoners managed to escape the prison, but it is not known if they managed to get to the shore. Alcatraz Island and the former penitentiary are one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco. Book our Alcatraz Day Tour to learn more about its history. Choose the Alcatraz Night Tour to visit after sunset. See the island and the Golden Gate Bridge on an Alcatraz Cruise or a San Francisco Bay Cruise. For a unique view of Alcatraz and other top attractions in San Francisco, select the Alcatraz Helicopter Tour.

Alcatraz Island Tours and Tickets –  Prices & Overview

All our Alcatraz tours and tickets include free cancellation and “reserve now & pay later” option.

tour optionsPrice from
Alcatraz Day Tour
Best-seller
Alcatraz Day Tour

3 hours | Skip-the-line access | Ferry ticket included

Alcatraz Night Tour
Alcatraz Night Tour

3 hours | Ferry ticket included | App guide | Private tour

Alcatraz Cruise
Unique experience
Alcatraz Cruise

1.5 hours | Multilingual audio guide | Instant ticket delivery

San Francisco Bay Cruise
San Francisco Bay Cruise

1 hour | Multilingual audio guide | Onboard bar available

Escape from the Rock Cruise
Escape from the Rock Cruise

1.5 hours | Skip-the-line | Multilingual audio guide

Fisherman’s Wharf & Alcatraz Tour
Fisherman’s Wharf & Alcatraz Tour

4 - 5 hours | Return ferry ticket to Alcatraz | Optional SkyStar Wheel ride

San Francisco & Alcatraz Tour
Best deal
San Francisco & Alcatraz Tour

6.5 hours | Live & audio guide | Pick-up included

Muir Woods & Alcatraz Tour
Best combo deal
Muir Woods & Alcatraz Tour

7 hours | Live & audio guide | Small group | Round-trip ferry

$ 159
$ 143,10
Golden Gate Bike Tour & Alcatraz Tour
Golden Gate Bike Tour & Alcatraz Tour

3 hours | Full-day bike rental | Round-trip ferry

San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Alcatraz Tour
Save time
San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Alcatraz Tour

Valid 2 days | Alcatraz ferry ticket | 7D Experience at Pier 39 | Chinatown walking tour

Alcatraz Helicopter Tour
Alcatraz Helicopter Tour

30 min - 1.5 hours | Private or small group

San Francisco City Pass
Save up to 35%
San Francisco City Pass

Valid 1-5 days | Digital guide

Our visitors are very satisfied with our Alcatraz tours!

Read what they thought!

Learned a lot on the Alcatraz tour!

I learned a lot on the Alcatraz Day Tour. It gave me a much needed backstory about the prison and its occupants and how having the cold ocean water and strong currents around the island made escape even harder. The tour was organized well, and I definitely recommend it!

Derek

Convenient transfer to the island

I went on the Alcatraz night tour, and it was such a unique experience to see the former prison and learn about why it became so famous. It might be a bit spooky for some, but not for me. Our guide was perfect, and our group felt comfortable the entire time. I didn’t have to rush anywhere and could explore at my own pace. Oh, and the included transportation by ferry was really convenient!

Jack

Explored all the famous city attractions with the Pass!

We saw many famous city attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and Alcatraz. Our tour guide had many interesting stories, everything was on schedule, and it finished on time. This ticket also included a boat ride to Alcatraz and a visit to the prison. Definitely worth booking because you save a lot of money and see so much!

Ben

Join one of our Alcatraz prison tours and discover the island’s darkest secrets!

from
$ 95
$ 79,19
Best-seller

Ferry ride included

Alcatraz Day Tour

Visit Alcatraz Island at your own pace and learn about its history with an audio guide. Explore the cell blocks and learn about Al Capone, "Machine Gun" Kelly, and other infamous prisoners, as well as why escape from the island was hard. The tour includes a convenient round-trip ferry ticket.

from
$ 98

Private experience

Alcatraz Night Tour

Discover Alcatraz after sunset on a self-guided tour and listen to stories from an audio guide. Catch a glimpse of the illuminated Golden Gate Bridge. You can stay for as long as you'd like, so you can walk at your own pace. The ticket includes ferry rides to the island and back.

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FAQ - Alcatraz Island Tours and Tickets

Should I buy Alcatraz tickets in advance?

Booking your Alcatraz ticket in advance is recommended, as it is a popular attraction in San Francisco. It is especially recommended in summer, which is the busiest season, and for holiday weekends.

What to wear to Alcatraz?

As the weather can be unpredictable, we recommend wearing layers and closed-toe shoes.

What is the best time to visit Alcatraz?

Spring and fall are good options for nice weather. Summer is cool and foggy and is the peak season, so there may be crowds. It can rain a lot in winter, but there are fewer crowds.

Can I eat something at Alcatraz?

In order to protect the wildlife, eating is only allowed in one area at the dock.

How long does the ferry ride to Alcatraz take?

The ferry ride to Alcatraz takes about 15-20 minutes.

Is a visit to Alcatraz accessible to visitors with limited mobility?

Visitors with limited mobility can use the electric shuttle to get to the cell house from the dock. There are also accessible toilets.
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Our TOP 3 Alcatraz Island Tours and Tickets

T&T selected and approved for you!

san francisco bay cruise

San Francisco Bay Cruise

Discover the beauty of the Bay Area

Discover the beautiful San Francisco Bay and see amazing views of the city on our Alcatraz city cruises! See the famous Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island up close and learn about the history of the former prison. If you’re lucky, you can see dolphins, sea lions, or even whales as you sail past San Francisco’s top attractions! You can also cruise by the San Francisco Maritime National Park, which features historic ships, the Angel Island State Park, and Sausalito, a town known for attracting hippies in the past and artists like Otis Redding.

Fisherman’s Wharf & Alcatraz Tour

Visit the city’s festival marketplace

See charming fishing boats on the famous Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco’s most popular destination, and visit Alcatraz. At Fisherman’s Wharf, you can see Pier 39, a festival marketplace with breathtaking views of the city and the bay. You can see historic ships and even spot a few sea lions! Stroll along the shore and take in the vibrant atmosphere of San Francisco as you learn about its history, such as the city’s expansion during the Gold Rush. Explore the Alcatraz federal prison and learn about its prisoners – Al Capone, George (“Machine Gun”) Kelly, and the “Birdman of Alcatraz”. You can also learn about the prison escape attempts from the island.

fisherman wharf
san francisco and alcatraz

San Francisco & Alcatraz Tour

See the city’s all popular attractions

Visit San Francisco’s top attractions, including Alcatraz, and learn about what made them so famous. See the Golden Gate Bridge, which is said to be the world’s most photographed bridge. You can also see the city’s popular Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy amazing photo opportunities. Sail to Alcatraz Island and learn about the prison’s history. It was used as a federal penitentiary from the 1930s to the 1960s, and its name comes from the Spanish word for pelicans. Its infamous prisoners were Robert Stroud and Al Capone. Book your tour now to explore the famous California city!

Essential tips for your Alcatraz Island visit!

Read our helpful guide to prepare for your visit to Alcatraz Island.

Want to explore more of San Francisco?

Book one of our bestselling deals!

from
$ 339

Private or small group

Alcatraz Helicopter Tour

See Alcatraz Island and other top landmarks in San Francisco on an exciting helicopter ride! Get a unique photo of the Golden Gate Bridge, referred to as the most photographed bridge in the world. You can also see Ocean Beach, Oracle Park, Downtown San Francisco, and more. Learn about the city's history from the pilot and the helpful audio guide, and choose a private or small group tour for maximum enjoyment!

from
$ 104
Save up to 35%

30+ attractions

San Francisco City Pass

Enjoy access to more than 30 attractions in San Francisco! See Alcatraz on a cruise, visit the San Francisco Zoo, the Aquarium of the Bay, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Walt Disney Family Museum, see the city on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, and more. Your pass includes a digital guide and is valid for 1-5 days, so you can have fun at your own pace.