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Alcatraz

  • San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)

Last updated: 18 March, 2024

A mile-and-a-half offshore in the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz – or ‘The Rock’ as its residents affectionately dubbed it – was one of America’s highest-security prisons until it shut down in 1963 (the razor-sharp cliffs and frigid waters were enough to deter most escape plans).

Nowadays, visitors can hop on the ferry at Perry 33 and tour the accommodations once occupied by Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. Luckily, overnight visitors are no longer accepted.

Logistics

Price from: £35
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The only way to reach the Rock is by catching Alcatraz Cruise’s Alcatraz Ferry at Pier 33. During high season, ferries leave almost every half-hour between 9am and 7pm.

Alcatraz tickets often sell out, and booking ahead is essential.

Different tours are available depending on your desired departure time, and ticket prices include both the ferry roundtrip and guided tour. Tours (2.5 hours including return journey) include a ranger tour and a 45-minute audio presentation. It’s also possible to do a longer 5.5 hour tour combining visits to Alcatraz and Angel Island, where guests are taken on a one-hour narrated tram tour.

When to do it

Tours run all year round, daily. During high season, ferries leave almost every half-hour between 9am and 7pm.

Night tours, leaving pre-dusk, are the most comprehensive, and have a decidedly spooky feel. As a bonus, you can enjoy the lovely sight of the sun setting over San Francisco.

Early Bird and Day Tours use audio tour, and are less intimate and interesting than the guided Night Tours. Early Bird Tours are the least crowded, departing 8.45am.

Who to go with: organised tours

10

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • San Francisco

Discover the best of San Francisco with an unforgettable experience that lets you fully enjoy your vacation while we take care of everything for you. This all-inclusive adventure combines the city’s top attractions, the tranquil beauty of Muir Woods, and the history of Alcatraz. Explore iconic neighborhoods like Chinatown, North Beach, and Fisherman’s Wharf, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, stroll among the towering redwoods of Muir Woods, and savor a lunch break in the charming bayside town of Sausalito. Let us handle the details so you can enjoy your vacation. This tour offers flexibility with two options: 1.) Choose a two-day adventure with Alcatraz on day one and a guided San Francisco, Muir Woods, and Sausalito tour on day two. 2.) Enjoy it all in one seamless day starting with a morning bus tour and finishing with an afternoon Alcatraz visit. With knowledgeable guides, small group comfort, and stories that bring the city to life, this is an experience you won’t want to miss!

Price $129

Min age 0

Rating 4.85 / 5 [1245 ratings]

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  • San Francisco

Combine three of the Bay Area's top attractions—Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, and Sausalito—into one tour from San Francisco. Travel in a luxury small-group tour van across the Golden Gate Bridge, enjoying the scenery without the hassle of driving. Explore Muir Woods and Sausalito at your own pace. Choose between a day or night tour of Alcatraz. The night tour features a sunset cruise, cell door demonstrations, and expert talks. Both tours offer an award-winning audio guide in multiple languages, detailing the prison's dark history and escape attempts. The 8:30am option departs from 488 Post Street. Look for a black Mercedes sprinter van parked across the street. It will start with Muir Woods and Sausalito then go to Alcatraz. The 9:10am option departs from Pier 33. It will start with Alcatraz then go to Muir Woods and Sausalito. The 12:50pm option departs from Pier 33. It will start with Muir Woods and Sausalito then to Alcatraz at night.

Price $159

Min age 0

Rating 4.53 / 5 [904 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • San Francisco

Combine inside Alcatraz with an assigned same day visit to Muir Woods with Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy a hybrid of driver narration with bridge history and Alcatraz Escape presentations. This tour includes: Assigned By Us: Muir Wood Van departure time (70+ minute) Assigned By Us: Alcatraz Island Admission Time Slot (2.5+ hours) Golden Gate Bridge stop (10+ minutes) We will assign your between 7am-4pm in peak times. Guests will be returned to San Francisco by van or included ferry on select dates. VIP James Woods Road Trip Upgrade: Muir Woods Express plus bonus time in Sausalito with brunch credit. Guests will be returned to Wharf by van or ferry. Some dates will start by Sausalito Ferry then Muir Woods/ Golden Gate. Early Bird: Get there before the crowds do! Enjoy nature as it was intended to be! We are often the first tour group to arrive! Silence is golden! Enjoy the park and relish in the experience as we leave seeing the endless busses arrive to the park. You will thank us!

Price $140

Min age 0

Rating 4.77 / 5 [271 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • San Francisco

Combine a full day bike rental with tickets to Alcatraz and a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge and Muir Woods in a single package. Start off with a guided bus tour over the bridge and to the Muir Woods National Monument, where you can take in the stunning views of the San Francisco skyline . Then head out to Alcatraz on the ferry with your own prepaid ticket , buying in advance avoids sold out days or times, which are frequent. Tour the island with your included 3 hour audio tour, then head back to San Francisco where you can explore further on your own with a 24 hour bike rental. *See the Golden Gate bridge and Muir Woods National Monument *Ticket and audio tour of Alcatraz is included *Avoid the disappointment of sold out Alcatraz Tickets *Set your own pace to explore San Francisco by bike

Price $111

Min age 1

Rating 4.56 / 5 [248 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • San Francisco

This urban adventure in San Francisco takes you around the city in a safari-style open-air vehicle, then drops you off at the ferry to Alcatraz Island for the cellhouse audio tour. On this uniquely crafted sightseeing tour limited to 12 people, you will see renowned landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and hear quirky stories about the city as an entertaining guide drives your custom vehicle through SF's distinctive neighborhoods. After the four hour city tour, your tour guide will drop you off at Pier 33 where you will catch the ferry to Alcatraz Island. Most guests spend two to three hours at their leisure enjoying the audio walking tour of the former federal penitentiary known as ‘the Rock’. Hotel pickup is included.

Price $180

Min age 0

Rating 4.93 / 5 [237 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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