Alcatraz Island is one of the most famous sites in San Francisco — known as “The Rock,” it’s visible at a distance from many vantage points on the Bay. We think that everyone who lives in or visits San Francisco should make the time to visit this historic place at least once.
But a trip to Alcatraz includes a lot of questions, such as how to buy Alcatraz tickets, where to board the Alcatraz ferry, and what you can and cannot bring with you on to the island. Maybe you want to know everything your Alcatraz ticket includes or what Alcatraz tour options are available.
If you’re wondering how to visit Alcatraz, here’s everything you need to know so you don’t miss out on this iconic San Francisco experience.
- Alcatraz Island Basic Info
- What and Where is Alcatraz?
- Alcatraz Island Hours of Operation
- How and Why you should Visit Alcatraz Island
- Alcatraz Tickets
- How to Buy Alcatraz Tickets
- Alcatraz Tour Ticket Options and What they Include
- Before your Alcatraz Tour
- What to Bring
- What NOT to Bring
- How Long to Plan for an Alcatraz Tour
- The Alcatraz Ferry
- Getting to Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33)
- Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing
- Basic Alcatraz Ferry Info
- Onboard Amenities
- Alcatraz Island Tour Details
- Arriving on Alcatraz Island
- Walking up to the Prison
- The Cellhouse Audio Tour
- Exploring Alcatraz Island
- Island Amenities
- Key Alcatraz Takeaways
- Alcatraz Island Ticket FAQ
Alcatraz Island Basic Info
Whether you’ve seen classic movies like The Rock or The Birdman of Alcatraz, or are just learning about it for the first time, Alcatraz Island has a somewhat notorious place in American history. Let’s start with a brief overview of what Alcatraz is (and was), who operates it today, and why you should visit.
What and Where is Alcatraz?
Alcatraz Island, also known as “The Rock,” is an island in the San Francisco Bay that’s most famous for being a maximum-security federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963. Many notorious criminals were held in this inescapable prison, including Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly.
Today, Alcatraz Island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is managed by the National Park Service. It offers visitors the opportunity to explore the history and natural beauty of Alcatraz at their own pace.
Alcatraz Island Hours of Operation
Alcatraz Island is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The hours of operation change with the season, but ferry departures are scheduled approximately every half hour beginning at 8:45am.
Certain sections of the Island are closed to the public during seabird nesting season. For example, the Agave Trail is only open in fall and early winter.
How and Why You Should Visit Alcatraz Island
The only way to visit Alcatraz is to take a ferry. Alcatraz tour tickets include the ferry ride, entrance to the island, the cellhouse audio tour of the prison, and more, depending on which Alcatraz ticket you choose.
On the island, you have time to explore as you wish. Take the cellhouse audio tour to learn about the prison from past prisoners and guards, walk the scenic Agave Trail for beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco, or join in on a free Park Ranger presentation.
A visit to Alcatraz Island is one of the best things to do in San Francisco. The views are stunning and the history is fascinating. Even though Alcatraz has a somewhat challenging past, there really is nowhere in the world like it.
Alcatraz Tickets
Now that you know why you should visit, let’s get to the Alcatraz ticket details that you need to know before you arrive.
Morning Guided San Francisco Sightseeing Tour
Most complete and entertaining San Francisco city tour available. Stops to explore Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Land’s End, and Twin Peaks.
Guided Alcatraz and San Francisco City Tour
This full-day guided tour breaks you into Alcatraz and explores the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Land’s End and Twin Peaks.
How to Buy Alcatraz Tickets
There’s only one company that can dock on Alcatraz Island. You will see many other San Francisco Bay cruises and ferries mention Alcatraz, but these boats can only sail past or around the island. Make sure you buy the right ticket!
In order to buy the correct ticket, only purchase an Alcatraz ticket in one of the following ways:
- Online or over the phone through Alcatraz City Cruises. Tickets are available 90 days or more before the tour date. As soon as you know what date you want to go, buy the tickets so they don’t sell out! You’ll receive a QR code containing your tickets. Either print your tickets or take a screenshot of the QR code and take it with you to the will call ticket booth.
- In person on Pier 33 (Alcatraz Landing). If there are tickets available when you arrive in San Francisco, you can buy them in person at the Alcatraz City Cruises ticket booth on Pier 33. We don’t recommend leaving this to the last minute, though, as the lines can be long and many people are turned away when tickets sell out.
- As part of a combination tour with a reputable company. Several tour companies in San Francisco offer tours that combine Alcatraz Island with a Guided City Tour. If you buy a tour through a site other than that link, make sure to read the fine print and confirm it includes access onto the Island, and not just a view of it.
Insider Tip: If Alcatraz tour tickets sell out for the date you want to go, try finding a combination tour like the one linked above. Often, they have availability when City Experiences sell out. Plus you will get another awesome tour! Win, win.
Alcatraz Tour Ticket Options and What They Include
When purchasing Alcatraz tickets through Alcatraz City Cruises, you will have three ticket options. Each comes with a different price tag and experience:
- Alcatraz Day Tour. This is the most popular Alcatraz tour ticket. This ticket includes the ferry ride to and from the island, the Cellhouse audio tour, Park Ranger talks, and free time to explore the island on your own, including the Alcatraz theater, several historic buildings, and interpretive exhibits. If you purchase a combo tour package, this will most likely be the Alcatraz ticket you receive. Adult day tickets are around $50.
- Alcatraz Night Tour. This tour takes you to the Island after dark and includes special tours, presentations, and activities not offered during the day. These Alcatraz tickets are limited, popular, and sell out quickly. Ticket prices are about $10 more than the Alcatraz Day Tour, and are only offered Tuesday-Saturday.
- Alcatraz Behind-the-Scenes Tour. This is the Alcatraz Island ticket for the ultimate history buff or Alcatraz fan. Get access to off-limits areas within the Cellhouse on a live, guided tour. This experience also includes everything included in the Night Tour. Ticket prices are over twice that of the Day Tour, and you can expect a tour duration of 4-5 hours. Groups are limited to 30 guests aged 12+. Offered Tuesday-Saturday.
Before your Alcatraz Tour
After you have purchased your tickets, you can start looking forward to your visit! Here is what you need to know to prepare for your Alcatraz Tour:
What to Bring to Alcatraz
- Photo ID and the Credit Card used to purchase your tickets
- Ticket QR code and backup printed paper copy
- Bottled water (no glass)
- Jacket. The weather on Alcatraz can be completely different compared to other parts of San Francisco, and can change rapidly.
- Comfortable walking shoes
What NOT to Bring to Alcatraz
- Big backpacks/bags. Nothing bigger than a standard size backpack will be allowed and there are no storage lockers available.
- Anything with wheels on it (skateboards, roller skates, wheelie shoes). Wheelchairs are the only exception.
- Food. While they won’t stop you from bringing snacks to the island, you can only eat them on the dock. So we recommend most people just eat beforehand and leave food at home.
- Alcohol. Alcoholic beverages aren’t allowed on the island and can only be purchased on your return ferry trip
How Long to Plan for an Alcatraz Tour
As a busy San Francisco tourist, you probably have your day planned out to the minute so you can fit everything. So how long does a tour to Alcatraz Island take exactly?
The good news is that the answer is mostly up to you. Once you’re on the island, you can choose any of the returning ferry departures offered for your Alcatraz ticket type. So if you purchase a Day Tour ticket for a morning ferry departure, you could spend many hours there before heading back to San Francisco. Or, you could keep it short and take an early departure.
The Night and Behind-the-Scenes Tours have their own limited evening return ferry departures. This means there may be a little less flexibility with these options, depending on the season.
We think the minimum amount of time it would take to get to the island, walk up to the Cellhouse for the audio tour, and catch a return ferry to the mainland is just under 2 hours. But that is without exploring anything else the island has to offer and assuming the return ferry is leaving at exactly the right time.
We recommend leaving 3-4 hours free to fully explore and enjoy Alcatraz Island. Watch the documentary in the theater, listen to a ranger talk, explore the special exhibits, pose with the oldest lighthouse on the West Coast, and peruse the shop for a souvenir.
The Alcatraz Ferry
The Alcatraz Ferry is a scenic attraction in its own right, with impressive views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. Here’s how to get to the ferry on time and ensure you have a great on-board experience:
Getting to Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33)
The ferry to Alcatraz Island leaves from Pier 33 along the Embarcadero, also known as Alcatraz Landing. Here it is on a map:
As you can see, it is right at the end of the Fisherman’s Wharf tourist area and under a ½ mile from Pier 39. This is great news because…
There is no parking lot at Pier 33.
There are pay-to-park lots nearby, the closest at 80 Francisco St. just a couple blocks away. Even so, we wouldn’t suggest driving to Alcatraz Landing. Driving in San Francisco is often slower than other means of transportation, and the parking lots will cost you more money.
The best options to get to the ferry terminal include walking, the MUNI F line streetcar (Bay Street stop), bike rental, or rideshare. Of course, if you book a combo tour, the tour guide will drop you off right where you need to be!
Insider Tip: There is limited, accessible parking at Pier 33 for vehicles with valid disabled placards. These spots are first come first served.
Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing
Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing consists of the ticketbooth, waiting and boarding areas, restrooms, and exhibits about Alcatraz. When you arrive, head to the willcall ticket booth with your QR code and photo ID to pick up your tickets if you didn’t print them. Then you will be free to enjoy the area until boarding.
Even if you have your Alcatraz tickets in hand, you should arrive at the ferry dock no less than 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. When you arrive, you’ll notice that some people are already standing in line. While you can join the line if you would like, there is not much need.
Basic Alcatraz Ferry Info
Now it’s time to load onto the ferry and head to Alcatraz. There’s a sign on Pier 33 that announces which departure is boarding. Be sure to double-check that sign and your ticket to confirm that the departure time matches.
The Alcatraz Ferry has both indoor and outdoor sections, each with plenty of seating and great views. They don’t oversell the ferry’s seating capacity, so if you have a ticket, you are guaranteed a seat on that ferry.
When your ferry loads, all of the people standing in line usually rush straight to claim the best seats. But here’s the truth of the matter: most of those people end up standing along the railing to get the best views and take pictures anyway, especially on a nice day.
And the ferry ride is only 15 minutes each way. So unless you have trouble standing for that long, you’ll most likely want to stand along the edge and watch the views and ignore the seats entirely.
There’s a lot to see from the Alcatraz Ferry! The views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Angel Island, and, of course, Alcatraz Island itself are incredible. Be sure to bring a camera or a well-charged phone to capture the moment.
Onboard Amenities
The Alcatraz Ferry is well-equipped, especially for such a short boat ride. There are accessible restrooms and a snack and drink bar.
Insider Tip: Don’t waste your time on the ferry standing in line at the snack bar! You only have 15 minutes to take in the views, so eat before the ferry ride and enjoy the beautiful San Francisco boat ride you paid for.
You can also preorder food and drinks for the return trip, but the Alcatraz ferry is not known for its food or drink. We suggest you wait until you’re back on the mainland, where you’ll have hundreds of restaurants and bars to choose from.
Alcatraz Island Tour Details
Now we’ve made it to the most exciting part of the tour — your time on Alcatraz Island. Here’s everything you need to know once you’re there:
Arriving on Alcatraz Island
When you arrive on Alcatraz Island and step off of the ferry, you will see a sign on the dock listing the return ferry departures for that day. Take a photo of this sign, especially if you don’t have a brochure. That way, you’ll know what your departure options are and how long you’ll have to spend on the island.
When you walk off of the ferry onto Alcatraz Island, you will be welcomed by a Park Ranger. They will introduce you to the Island and some of the things to see and do. It’s a good idea to pay attention to the intro, even if you are an Alcatraz expert, as seasonal changes and closures do happen.
Walking up to the Prison
The walk up to the prison for the Cellhouse Tour is only ¼-mile and paved, but it is steep. When you reach the top you will have climbed the equivalent of 13 flights of stairs. There are flat sections where you can stop, rest, and take in the views throughout the route, so make ample use of those if you need to.
Those who have any trouble walking can reserve a spot on the electric tram. The S.E.A.T tram is a completely free service that transports people up and down from the dock to the Cellhouse on a regular schedule.
The Cellhouse Audio Tour
The Cellhouse audio tour is the most popular thing to do on Alcatraz Island. It is a walking tour of the historic prison, including stops at Al Capone’s cell, the recreation yard, the punishment cells, the prison library, and more. The tour is given by former inmates and prison guards. These narrators really bring a personal connection to the stories and bring the history to life.
The audio tour is available in the following 11 languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, German, Japanese, and Mandarin, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian. There are also large print, braille, and sign language versions of the tour available upon request. The Cellhouse tour is wheelchair accessible, with elevators available to reach the upper floor.
Remember that you can pause the audio tour at any time. The tour runs for 35 minutes, but you can make it much longer if you wish to. Pause at any time to look longer at something or even to go back and listen to a section again. The recorded tour really gives you a lot of flexibility.
After you have finished the audio tour and handed in your device, you will leave the prison through the gift shop and be right where you started the tour.
Insider Tip: You do not have to do the Cellhouse tour first. Most people will get off the ferry, climb the hill, and immediately start the audio tour. You absolutely can do it this way, but it is 100% not a requirement. If big groups at each stop during the audio tour will detract from your experience, consider exploring the island a bit first.
Check out the documentary playing in the theater, hike the Agave Trail and look for seabirds, or go check out the lighthouse. If you time your start of the audio tour between ferry arrivals, you will have more elbow room.
Exploring Alcatraz Island
There is more to do on Alcatraz than the Cellhouse tour. Be sure to check out the exhibits, which cover topics like the Native American occupation of the island, the American Justice system, and seabirds. You can find rotating exhibits in Building 64, the New Industries Building, and the Cellhouse.
If you like historic buildings, or at least the remains of them, you’ll find plenty on Alcatraz. You can see the first lighthouse on the West Coast, the Warden’s home, Officer’s Row, the Guardhouse, the Officer’s Club, the power plant, the morgue, the water tower, and more, in just a quick loop around the island.
Don’t forget to check out Building 64 down by the dock either. You’ll find the theater and bookstores, and you can learn about the ranger programs on the schedule for the day. The park rangers on Alcatraz are very knowledgeable and give great talks.
As you walk around, you’ll see multiple gardens, some even planted by the inmates themselves. And if you’re visiting from September-January, be sure to take a walk on the Agave Trail. The 0.7-mile trail is lined with eucalyptus and multiple species of agave. It begins near the dock and goes right down to the water where the birdwatching and views of the Bay are fantastic.
Alcatraz Island Amenities
There are two public restrooms on Alcatraz Island: one is near the ferry dock and the other is up the hill near the Cellhouse and Lighthouse. There are basic snacks, water bottles, and beverages sold at the bookstore near the dock. Keep in mind that you can only eat in the designated area on the dock.
If you are interested in learning more about the island, visit the bookstore for further reading. If you’re looking for a souvenir, take a look through the gift shop at the end of the tour. They sell things like inmate shackles, officer badges, and novelty clothing.
Key Alcatraz Takeaways
There are a lot of options when visiting Alcatraz, so here is a checklist of the most important takeaways and things to remember:
- Buy your Alcatraz tickets in advance
- Bring your photo ID to the ticket booth
- Eat beforehand
- Leave large bags at home
- Bring a jacket
- Explore more of the island than just the Cellhouse
Alcatraz Island Ticket FAQ
When is the best time to visit Alcatraz?
Alcatraz Island is open 362 days a year, but the best time to visit Alcatraz is in the fall. San Francisco often experiences a second summer, and fall days are sunny and warm. The Agave Path will also be open this time of year, for an added activity and bonus for nature lovers.
The most crowded times on Alcatraz are holidays and weekends during the summer. If you plan to go during those times, buy your tickets well ahead of time and be ready to share the space with other visitors.
Just bring a rain layer and your sense of adventure, and you will have a great time, no matter the weather.
Where can I buy an Alcatraz Island ticket?
Buy your Alcatraz tickets directly through Alcatraz City Cruises, either on this Alcatraz City Cruises website, on the phone, or in person at the Pier 33 ticket booth. You can also combine an Alcatraz ticket with another attraction on a combo tour like this Alcatraz Island and Guided San Francisco City Tour.
What does an Alcatraz Ticket Include?
An Alcatraz tour ticket includes:
- Ferry to the island
- Cellhouse Audio Tour
- Access to special exhibits and Ranger talks
- Freetime to explore all open areas on the island
- Ferry back to Pier 33
