Cruise ship under Golden Gate Bridge during Alcatraz Tour, San Francisco Bay.
Alcatraz Island with historic prison buildings viewed from San Francisco Bay.
Alcatraz prison laundry room with shelves and barred windows in San Francisco.
Alcatraz Island penitentiary sign inside historic prison, San Francisco Bay.
Tour boat near sea lions on San Francisco Bay during Alcatraz cruise.
Alcatraz Prison cell block interior during San Francisco Bay cruise tour.
Alcatraz prison cell interior, San Francisco.

Alcatraz Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

San Francisco
•Sightseeing Cruises
Google Verified Seller

Duration: 4 hours

Audio guide

Access to multilingual audio guide

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Explore Alcatraz Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise in the vibrant city of San Francisco, United States. Dive into history as you step inside the storied walls of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary while enjoying a scenic cruise across San Francisco Bay with round-trip ferry tickets and an audio tour included for your convenience. Make sure to arrive at Pier 33 early for check-in before setting off on this thrilling journey that combines sightseeing cruises with iconic landmarks.

Cruise from San Francisco’s Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island with round-trip ferry tickets and sweeping Bay views.

Walk through the historic Alcatraz prison, including original cells, corridors, and the recreation yard. Hear gripping stories from former inmates and guards on a self-guided audio tour, available in 10 languages.

Spot seabirds, stroll past lush gardens, and enjoy panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and city skyline.

Enjoy a flexible 1-hour Bay Cruise that sails past the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and the sea lions at PIER 39—ideal for soaking in San Francisco’s waterfront charm.

Take the cruise before, after, or even on a different day from your Alcatraz visit, making it a great option for travelers building their schedule.

Feeling adventurous? Swap the day tour for a night visit to Alcatraz. It includes everything the daytime offers, but with a haunting twist you won’t forget.

Round-trip daytime ferry to Alcatraz Island

Admission to Alcatraz ($45)

Multilingual audio guide in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Korean

1-hour San Francisco Bay cruise

Round-trip night ferry to Alcatraz Island (as per option selected)

Live guide

Food and beverages

Hotel transfers

Gratuities

Cruise ship under Golden Gate Bridge during Alcatraz Tour, San Francisco Bay.

Cruise ship under Golden Gate Bridge during Alcatraz Tour, San Francisco Bay.

Step inside Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and cruise San Francisco Bay, with round-trip ferry tickets and audio tour included.

Getting started

Arrive at Pier 33 at least 30 minutes before your scheduled ferry departure for check-in. After ticket validation, board the exclusive Alcatraz ferry for a timely departure to the island. For your included Bay Cruise, exchange your voucher at Pier 39 and choose any available departure.

What to expect

Alcatraz Island is home to the historic Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, which once housed America’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone. This experience combines a self-guided audio tour inside the prison with a flexible 1-hour cruise along San Francisco’s iconic waterfront.

Features

  • Alcatraz Cellhouse audio tour: Follow the 45-minute audio tour, available in 10 languages, as you explore the prison’s cells and corridors, learning about daily life and escape attempts.

  • Round-Trip ferry access: Enjoy convenient, direct ferry service from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island and back, ensuring a smooth journey.

  • San Francisco Bay cruise: Sail past Pier 39’s sea lions, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and along the city’s historic waterfront, with panoramic views of the skyline.

  • Flexible cruise timing: Choose to take your Bay Cruise before or after your Alcatraz visit, or on a different day, for added convenience.

Alcatraz Island with historic prison buildings viewed from San Francisco Bay.

Alcatraz Island with historic prison buildings viewed from San Francisco Bay.

Alcatraz prison laundry room with shelves and barred windows in San Francisco.

Alcatraz prison laundry room with shelves and barred windows in San Francisco.

Alcatraz Island penitentiary sign inside historic prison, San Francisco Bay.

Alcatraz Island penitentiary sign inside historic prison, San Francisco Bay.

What to bring

Alcatraz Island:

  • Bottled water

  • A light snack (to eat in designated areas only)

San Francisco Bay Cruise:

  • Valid ID proof

What’s not allowed

Alcatraz Island:

  • Large bags, luggage, and oversized backpacks

  • Food and beverages (except bottled water)

  • Weapons

  • Skateboards and “wheelie” shoes

  • Feeding wildlife on the island

San Francisco Bay Cruise:

  • Large bags, luggage, and oversized backpacks

Accessibility

Alcatraz Island:

  • The ferry and the island are wheelchair-accessible.

San Francisco Bay Cruise:

  • It is wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

Alcatraz Island:

  • You can stay on the island for as long as you like.

  • Wear layered clothing and comfortable shoes.

San Francisco Bay Cruise:

  • Arrive 30 minutes before departure to ensure smooth boarding.

  • Dress in layers.

Tour boat near sea lions on San Francisco Bay during Alcatraz cruise.

Tour boat near sea lions on San Francisco Bay during Alcatraz cruise.

Alcatraz Prison cell block interior during San Francisco Bay cruise tour.

Alcatraz Prison cell block interior during San Francisco Bay cruise tour.

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Operating hours

Alcatraz Island

Monday
9:00am - 6:30pm
Tuesday
9:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday
9:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday
9:00am - 9:30pm
Friday
9:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday
9:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday
9:00am - 6:30pm
  • Timings are displayed in the venue's time zone.

By proceeding with any booking via Staybook, you acknowledge and agree to adhere to all the .

FAQs

The tour typically lasts around 3-4 hours including the ferry ride to and from Alcatraz. The visit includes a guided audio tour that takes about an hour and a half on the island, plus time for exploring independently.
Photography is allowed throughout the tour except in certain restricted areas such as cells and sensitive historical sites. Be sure to use discretion when taking pictures of other visitors for privacy reasons.
The early morning hours between 6-8 AM are ideal for avoiding crowds and capturing stunning golden-hour photos. October through March offers cooler temperatures, making it more comfortable. Sunrise visits provide a magical atmosphere with breathtaking views.
It is highly recommended to purchase your tickets online ahead of time as same-day sales often sell out, especially during peak seasons. Booking early ensures you secure a spot on your preferred departure date and time.
Bring comfortable walking shoes as you'll be navigating the historic site's uneven terrain. Pack a jacket or sweater since it can get chilly due to the bay breezes. Don't forget your camera and binoculars for spotting wildlife like pelicans and sea lions.
The easiest way is by taking a ferry from Pier 33 in Fisherman's Wharf or the Ferry Building. Ferries run frequently throughout the day with departures starting as early as 6 AM and continuing until late afternoon.
Yes, it's suitable for all ages but keep in mind that parts of the tour involve steep stairs and uneven surfaces. There are audio guides tailored for children aged 7-12, making history fun and engaging for younger visitors.
Your ticket includes round-trip ferry transport, an audio tour guide available in multiple languages, and access to Alcatraz Island's historical sites. Some tours also offer skip-the-line entry and admission to other attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge.
You need to have valid ID proof when going on the San Francisco Bay Cruise.
Yes, a multilingual audio guide is included. It's available in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Korean.
You should be at Pier 33 at least 30 minutes prior to your ferry's departure time for ticket validation and boarding.
Yes, you can enjoy your flexible 1-hour Bay Cruise before, after, or even on a different day from your Alcatraz Island visit.
Highlights include cruising to Alcatraz Island with sweeping Bay views, exploring historic prison areas, enjoying a flexible Bay Cruise past landmarks like the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, and seeing sea lions at PIER 39.
No, large bags, luggage, and oversized backpacks are not allowed either on Alcatraz Island or during the San Francisco Bay Cruise.
The tour includes round-trip daytime ferry tickets to Alcatraz Island, admission with a self-guided audio tour inside the prison, and a 1-hour San Francisco Bay cruise.
On both locations, large bags, luggage, oversized backpacks, food and beverages (except bottled water), weapons, skateboards, 'wheelie' shoes, and feeding wildlife on the island are prohibited.
You'll walk through historic areas like original cells, corridors, and a recreation yard. You’ll also hear stories from former inmates and guards while viewing panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Make sure you have bottled water and a light snack for eating in designated areas.

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