Looking to visit the Alcatraz Island in San Francisco?
In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about the Alcatraz Island tickets price, guided tours, opening hours, and some useful travel tips.
Don’t feel like reading ahead? Check our full catalog of Alcatraz tickets and tours right now.
How much Alcatraz island tickets cost?
Alcatraz tour tickets price varies according to the tour you wish to experience and your age.
Alcatraz day tour ticket price
Book a Alcatraz day tour and discover the historical Alcatraz Island. Step back in time and visit the most legendary Island in the US.
Book your tickets to Alcatraz Island and cruise the San Francisco Bay. Once you have reached the island by ferry, start your tour of Alcatraz. Explore the most notorious former federal prison, which was home to infamous gangsters such as like Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelley, and Robert “The Birdman” Stroud.
Alcatraz day tour ticket price:
- Adult (18-61 years old) US$ 41.00
- Junior (12-17 years old) US$ 41.00
- Child (5-11 years old) US$ 25.00
- Senior (62+ years old) US$ 38.65
- Toddler (0-4 years old): Free
- Family pack (2 Adults + 2 Kids 5-11 years): US$ 119.60
Alcatraz night tour ticket price
Due to COVID-19 regulations, this tour is currently not available.
Experience a Alcatraz night tour with special programs and activities. The Alcatraz night tour is limited to just a few hundred people per day. This is a unique tour as it includes tours and activities not offered during the Alcatraz day tour.
Start the night by a roundtrip ferry transportation with a live boat narration. Once on the island, enjoy a guided tour from the dock to the cellhouses and get a souvenir brochure. There are a variety of special presentations offered only at night. Some parts of the prison that are normally closed off become open to the public during the evening. Enjoye behind-the-scenes guided tours, cell door demos and other bonus walking tours.
Alcatraz night tour ticket price:
- Adult (18-61 years old) US$ 47.30
- Junior (12-17 years old) US$ 46.25
- Child (5-11 years old) US$ 28
- Senior (62+ years old) US$ 44
- Toddler (0-4 years old): Free
Alcatraz & Angel Island tour ticket price
Due to COVID-19 regulations, this tour is currently not available.
The Alcatraz & Angel Island tour showcases two of SF’s most famous islands. Besides visiting two amazing sites, you will board on the first hybrid ferry in the US. This vessel is a working demonstration of alternative energy still in operation, using wind, solar, diesel and electricity.
Alcatraz & Angel Island tour ticket price:
- Adult (18-61 years old) US$ 78.65
- Junior (12-17 years old) US$ 78.65
- Child (5-11 years old) US$ 52.40
- Senior (62+ years old) US$ 76.40
- Toddler (0-4 years old): Free
Alcatraz tickets include round-trip ferry ride to Alcatraz Island, award-winning Cellhouse audio tour, daily optional programs and exhibits.
Should I book my ticket in advance?
Absolutely! Book your Alcatraz tickets – the sooner, the better.
Alcatraz tickets must be purchased in advance, because the Alcatraz island can be visited only with reservation.
As you have probably seen already on the official website, Alcatraz tickets sell out very fast, and it is almost impossible to get a ticket last minute. We recommend you to book online your tickets in advance, often 2-3 weeks ahead.
Don’t worry if the tickets are sold out on your prefered date, there are many other websites that sell Alcatraz last minute tickets. Use TourScanner’s search and compare the prices of all the websites to book tickets, guided tours or combined tickets including several attractions of San Francisco.
If tickets are sold out, are there any other options?
As one of the most famous tourist attractions in the US, standard tickets might be sold out. If this is the case. the best solution is to opt for a combo tour, which includes the ticket to enter Alcatraz prison and a second activity. The most common activities are a bike tour, a city tour, a day trip to Muir Woods or a hop-on hop-off bus. Check out our page on TourScanner to see all the options.
If combo tours are also sold out, the best option is to book a cruise around Alcatraz island that includes the narration of the history and escapes from Alcatraz. The cruises won’t stop on the island but you will see it very closely.
The Straight-to-the-Gate cruise is the most closely related to Alcatraz. Other options are the sailing cruises that pass near the Golden Gate as well.
Are there any combined tickets?
Many travel agencies sell combined tickets. Take advantage of combined tickets to visit other unmissable attractions in San Francisco.
Visit Muir Woods & Sausalito
Muir Woods is one of the best getaways of San Francisco. Get surrounded by the splendour of towering redwood trees. Walk under the trees and explore its amazing nature, wild plants and if you’re lucky, some wildlife.
On the way, visit Sausalito, a scenic city which is fun to walk through while gazing at the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge.
Add a city tour to your Alcatraz visit
Many travel agencies package Alcatraz tickets with a San Francisco city tour. You can choose from cycling tours, walking tours, bus tours, cable car tours, Gocar tours and many more. There are many different options. Use TourScanner’s search to find your ideal tour.
Alcatraz & San Francisco city tours combined tickets
Admire Alcatraz from the sky
This is probably one of the best way to see Alcatraz. Board an helicopter (or a seaplane) and admire Alcatraz island from the sky.
What time is best to visit the Alcatraz island?
Alcatraz island gets pretty foggy during summer, so you’ll experience the best weather at the end of spring or the beginning of fall.
Alcatraz cruises depart every half hour from 9 am to 4 pm.
Arrive to the Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing at least half an hour before your departure time. If you are traveling with kids, make sure to arrive to arrive early so you can experience the fun things to do in Fisherman’s Wharf.
You can stay on the island as long as you like, but count at least three hours to cruise to the island.