Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island
4.5
About
Alcatraz Island was once the most secure federal prison in the U.S., and held notorious inmates like Al Capone. After being decommissioned in 1963, the prison is now a museum, welcoming millions of curious travelers every year. Catch the ferry on Pier 33 to Alcatraz and explore the island at your own pace as you soak up the views of San Francisco and the bay. You can take a guided tour with a park ranger to learn more about the intriguing anecdotes about the facility’s fascinating history. But book your spots early—tickets sell out fast. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Jess4 contributionsMust SeeI did not expect to enjoy the tour as much as I did. The recorded tour was very informational and done very well. I often do not listen to these type of tours as they are boring but this one held my attention. Definitely recommend this tour.Visited March 2023Written 19 March 2023
- Gord P16 contributionsgreat tourThis is a must stop if you are in San Fran!!! We did the audio tour and was very interesting!!! We were going to do ther night tour but didnt book far enough in advance!! Should book night tour a week in advance.Visited February 2023Written 20 March 2023
- Amber N W5 contributionsFUN FOR ALL AGESMy family took the tour ( BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE)! We have 2 small boys and an infant. It wasn't difficult at all to maneuver with our stroller and we made the trek with all children. The ferry is clean and peaceful with snack for purchase ( we purchased 4 hotdogs and drinks in advance). The boat bathroom is clean and appropriate for all needs. The island also has clean and appropriate facilities. There are steep hills but we are an active family so we didn't struggle with this. The audio tour was appropriate for all children and we enjoyed it as well. This was not only educational but also a lifelong memory made with our family! 110% recommend!Visited March 2023Written 21 March 2023
- Anthony TBillingshurst, United Kingdom117 contributionsVery InterestingWe did the tour to Alcatraz which was very popular so it is really worth booking a long time before you go. The ferry trip out and back was seamless and once you're on the island the time is your own. It is really worth doing the audio tour (free) as it explains a lot of what went on. Very interesting and well worth doing.Visited March 2023Written 1 April 2023
- MichaelLancashire, United Kingdom173 contributionsWell worth the tripWe did the daytime tour option with the official boat provider which was excellent, smooth sailing and then once on the island left to your own exploring with an informative and interesting audio guide which i would definitely recommend you take as it provides more than what is just on the signs. Well worth a morning or afternoon of your time. Would recommend booking the first boat of the day as you get an hour on the island then before many other people arrive.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 April 2023
- Til2 contributionsLook for Dr. Steve CoteIt has been quite a while since we have been there...one or two years before Covid. The stay there was one of our clear highlights of our visit and is worth it - no matter what! Our biggest recommendation is: look for Dr. Steve Cote. He has good stories to tell, is extremely intelligent and tells the stories in a way that is really catching you up and putting right in the time when Alcatraz has been real. He can also show you places that are worth seeing and not that frequented by the visitors. Meeting him is the main and first story we tell when visiting the US. Steve, if you read this: I hope hospital wing is open again and as bright as my sister told. Best wishes from Germany!Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 April 2023
- Ellies1999Derby, United Kingdom143 contributionsWorth a trip!Definitely a bucket list thing to see and do. Booking process is seamless and very organised. The boarding process was quick and easy and the boat was very quick over to the island. The free audio tour was very informative and interesting. Great views of the city and Golden Gate Bridge with lots of good photo opportunities.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 April 2023
- Leane DRedditch, United Kingdom103 contributionsGreat day out.I have wanted to visit here since I was a teenager and it didn’t disappoint! We caught the ferry over from pier 33 and it was an amazing sight pulling up to the island. The audio tour is included with your ticket price and is very easy to use and informative. You can pause the tour (we were not told this but fingured it out a while in). Was so interesting walking round the prison and the rest of the island. Once you are on the island you are free to spend as much time there as you want as you can catch any ferry back. Just a warning to pre-book as you are very unlikely to get tickets on the day.Visited April 2023Travelled with familyWritten 6 April 2023
- oggymuncherPlymouth, United Kingdom515 contributionsBrilliant tripMy wife and i booked through , alcatraz city cruises on pier 33. Had a good trip to and from the island , plenty of top deck space. Be prepared to queue even with a time slot going out, there are no slots coming back forst come first served. The island information and audio tour was goodVisited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 April 2023
- Pias7 contributionsVery goodYou should go at least once. I took a night tour. I spent most of my time in the cell house and did not have time for the other areas. The audio-guided tour was good. There are walking tours and talks as special activities at night. It cost me around 60 dollars, which is a little too high for me. I think it is worth it, knowing that the money will be used for preserving the historical place.Visited April 2023Written 11 April 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
56,177 reviews
Excellent
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11,482
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1,971
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278
Dan S
Palm Beach Gardens, FL17 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
If you go to San Fran, you really should take the Ferry to Alcatraz. You'll see pics of the most notorious criminals of the last century including Al Capone. The audio tour is included with the ferry ticket. It's a portable player they issue to all guests and it guides you through the facility
Written 13 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ncognet0
Moab, UT23 contributions
Mar 2024 • Business
The Boat ride was awesome, the two tour guides were awesome. The audio tour was ultra awesome, the gift shop and staff was awesome. Seeing all the history was awesome. The only negative thing was the literal fist fight I witness in the line to the Boat.
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Winded Traveller
54 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Definitely worth a visit. The fare includes round trip ferry and the island (with audio guide of jail house). The fare is reasonably priced. Book in advance as it can be busy. Nice walk around the island! Even the sights of San Francisco is great too!
Written 5 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vanessa T-G
Baughurst, UK227 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Ferry is just 15 mins to get to the island from Pier 33
Price includes audio equipment to guide you round the prison.
Very informative & interesting. Walk round the gardens too, there is another story there.
Price includes audio equipment to guide you round the prison.
Very informative & interesting. Walk round the gardens too, there is another story there.
Written 27 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen O
Boston, MA67 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
We took a boat ride over to Alcatraz and did the audio tour of the prison. The experience was great from start to finish. The boat over was pleasant and comfortable - we sat on the top, outside, but there was plenty of room inside as well and the boat sold snacks. We walked from the pier to the prison which offered nice views of San Francisco and the Bay. It was a pretty steep walk but there is a tram available for those with mobility issues. The audio tour worked very well - the headset worked well and the narration was clear, interesting and educational. The boats run on a regular schedule so it was easy to get back to the city. Would totally recommend.
Written 24 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly W
239 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
Visited here recently with my sister. We caught the 9am boat over and listened to the audio guide which leads you around the cells, solitary confinement, visitation blocks, canteen, the yard and so on. We attended the 10:30am talk with a volunteer who went through a few of the attempted escapes throughout its time- this talk was very informative and interesting and the guy (sorry cant remember his name) presented it well.
I really enjoyed visiting Alcotraz- it’s a fascinating place and the audio guide provides you with a lot of information and there are a few boards with writing on.
This cost us $51 or something- which I think is worth it.
A must do id you are visiting SF.
I really enjoyed visiting Alcotraz- it’s a fascinating place and the audio guide provides you with a lot of information and there are a few boards with writing on.
This cost us $51 or something- which I think is worth it.
A must do id you are visiting SF.
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VIP00000
Atlanta, GA92 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
With so many places to visit in San Francisco, California, USA it would not be complete without a look into our past, that is a visit to the ALcatraz island, its famous (notorius?) prison, with seedy inhabitants, their sordid stories.
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin M
Ireland155 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Really worth a visit if you’re in San Francisco, full of history and amazing stories this is not to be missed and I highly recommend you visit
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jephson
Maidstone, UK362 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
The biggest criminals here are the National Park Service.
So much more could be made of this building and island and yet it seems to be just crumbling and deteriorating. I would have thought it could have been restored to its former glory, as it was when the prisoners left. The former dining room/canteen is just an empty space with no furniture. There are no catering facilities whatsoever-why? More effort has been put into the shop than the prison itself. They talk about the bird life but no effort has been made to create observation points.
The audio guide is quite good but that’s not enough to retrieve the poor state of what you are observing.
Alcatraz purely survives on its reputation but the experience could be so much better with some imagination and investment.
So much more could be made of this building and island and yet it seems to be just crumbling and deteriorating. I would have thought it could have been restored to its former glory, as it was when the prisoners left. The former dining room/canteen is just an empty space with no furniture. There are no catering facilities whatsoever-why? More effort has been put into the shop than the prison itself. They talk about the bird life but no effort has been made to create observation points.
The audio guide is quite good but that’s not enough to retrieve the poor state of what you are observing.
Alcatraz purely survives on its reputation but the experience could be so much better with some imagination and investment.
Written 21 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CristianSF1012
Austin, TX1,208 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
I always wanted to visit Alcatraz. Finally, I did it! Amazing experience. I highly recommend it if you are in San Francisco !
Written 19 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LJB0710
London, UK11 contributions
Hi, we want to do the Alcatraz tour. Is it best to do the day tour, the night tour or is what you see - make it worth doing both?
Jim S
Nottingham, UK3 contributions
We only did the day tour which was great, basically stay as long as you want and get the boat back when your ready as you are free to roam the jail and the island.👍
daphne g
Brooklyn, NY2 contributions
If I go at 3:50 is there enough time to visit before the last ferry at 6:30?
themontanatravelgirl
Great Falls, MT81 contributions
I would go earlier. Give yourself half a day. Have fun.
S B
Uk South Coast40 contributions
Hi, how much was the behind the scenes tour please?
F W
6 contributions
My husband and grown kids did the Behind the Scenes when we were there in May. It was about $100-ish each, but they said it was well worth it. My daughter and I did the regular Cellhouse Tour and that was great, but the others saw so much more cool stuff and had their own NPS tour guide.
A Geek Dad
London, UK13 contributions
Where is the best place to get tickets?
F W
6 contributions
There are a lot of places that sell tickets, but unless you go through City Experiences, you are paying extra for unnecessary fluff. They are the official NPS-designated ferry and you will ride their ferries no matter who you go through. You'll just pay more if you don't book through them.
campbell s
Bishopbriggs, UK31 contributions
Last time I visited you could do a garden tour. Is that still available?
Steve V
2 contributions
I didn't see any garden tour at Alcatraz. There were some pretty garden areas but not enough to support any kind of a tour. There were combination tours of Alcatraz and Golden Gate Park though offered by outside tour groups
paulmaria136
Bristol, UK3 contributions
Night or day tour which is the best for someone very unlikely to visit again?
04charmermacaws
Buffalo, NY3 contributions
I only did the day trip. One of the best parts was the view of both San Francisco and Alcatraz on the approach. You would miss that on a night tour.
smorris1960
Carrabelle, FL56 contributions
Is there parking near the pier?
ingiGimli_Manitoba
Gimli159 contributions
Yes there are several public parking spots where the tour starts and the pier
Hi,
Me and my wife are visiting SF for 3 days in Dec (26th). We want to visit Alcatraz, will it be busy during end of December? What’s the best place to book the tickets?
Lisa G
Aurora, IN586 contributions
Check out the NPS site for details to plan your tour. The link to buy tickets is also on this site.
Hi,
Me and my wife are visiting SF for 3 days in Dec (26th). We want to visit Alcatraz, will it be busy during end of December? What’s the best place to book the tickets?
publiussulla
Seattle, WA273 contributions
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Claim your listingALCATRAZ ISLAND: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Alcatraz Island
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Alcatraz Island:
- Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour (From €147.46)
- Alcatraz Ticket + Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour (From €91.24)
- Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo (From €110.60)
- Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip (From €156.68)
- Alcatraz Inside and One Day Bike Rental (From €112.43)
- Hotels near Alcatraz Island:
- (2.17 km) Argonaut Hotel
- (2.38 km) Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square
- (3.51 km) Union Street Inn
- (2.31 km) Kimpton Alton Hotel - Fisherman's Wharf
- (4.22 km) Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights
- Restaurants near Alcatraz Island:
- (2.20 km) Norman's Ice Cream and Freezes
- (2.16 km) Blue Mermaid Restaurant
- (2.23 km) The Baked Bear
- (2.30 km) Eight Am
- (2.27 km) Surisan
- Attractions near Alcatraz Island:
- (0.12 km) Alcatraz Island Lighthouse
- (2.09 km) San Francisco Movie Tours
- (2.34 km) Pier 39
- (2.25 km) SF Excursions
- (2.28 km) Electric Tour Company Segway Tours