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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- BrummieMoBirmingham, United Kingdom93 contributionsChilling Iconic SiteThoroughly enjoyed this trip to this iconic place. The ferry trip over is excellent and the island itself very interesting. It is a chilling place and you really wouldn't have wanted to have been incarcerated there. Views from the island back to San Francisco are great.Visited April 2023Written 30 April 2023
- Anna-LenaFrankfurt, Germany9 contributionsVery fascinating trip to a historical iconWe loved the boat trip from Fishermen's Wharf and the lovely view of San Francisco. The island itself is an iconic landmark that is dedicated to give you an insight in the old times and famous prisoners such as Al Capone and many more. The coolest part was to see the real cells and the walking areas that the prisoners used long time ago. Everything is very well prepared and informative.Visited May 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 1 May 2023
- HoustonScott76 contributionsTake the tourVery good tour. Be sure you purchase tickets in advance because they sell out quickly. Wear comfortable shoes and take a jacket as it gets cold although we did the night tour. The ride over and back on the boat takes about 15 minutes. The people who work there are very knowledgeable and helpful.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 May 2023
- SummershirazWarrington, United Kingdom180 contributionsAbsolute “must do” if in San FranciscoBooked online before we travelled to San Francisco and spent half a day with Alcatraz Island Tours exploring the island. A short boat trip to the island. What a great opportunity. Definitely a worthwhile experience.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 May 2023
- momandarmywifeAtlanta, Georgia20 contributionsEvening tour - great time!We enjoyed the self-guided audio tour but really loved the stories John told us. The national park service is amazing! Impressed with how they teach about the failings of our country's prison system too.Visited April 2023Written 6 May 2023
- KirashPalmerston North, New Zealand14 contributionsI did escapeI booked for the 11 am boat and came back on 2pm boat. Very short boat trip to the island on a beautiful sunny day. When you arrive there is an orientation talk and after that our guide did a walking tour for about 45 mins. I don't think they are always available but I would have missed so much if I hadn't done it. The audio tour of the jail house takes about 45 mins. The hospital was open and was very interesting. I think if I'd only had the audio tour it would have been a bit underwhelming. It is pricey and busy as they can have 5000 people per day.Visited May 2023Travelled soloWritten 13 May 2023
- 5cindyFort Myers Beach, Florida55 contributionsVery interesting and informative tour.The ferry trip to the island was great with wonderful views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Liked the narrated tour. The gardens were my favorite part. Disappointed that the hospital was not open during the day. Park ranger said due to staffing, it is usually only open for night tours.Visited May 2023Written 18 May 2023
- WikumjBromley, United Kingdom327 contributionsBest tourist attraction in SFEasily the standout tourist attraction in SF. You arrange a time for a ferry boat, then after a short 15 minute ride (drinks and snacks available to Biu on board) you arrive at the island and are free to explore. The main highlight on the island is the prison cell tour - this self guided audio tour is fantastically well done, interesting, informative, with a clear path through the building. So interesting to learn about conditions in the prison, it’s more notorious inhabitants, and in particular the prison break attempt. There is also a really interesting exhibit at the moment on mass incarceration in the USA - very eye opening. We stayed for about two hours on the island before getting a ferry back.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 May 2023
- ekelleman88Hammond, Indiana171 contributionsI'd consider this a must visitI would consider Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge the two must visit places on any trip to SF. They give you headphones for the self guided audio tour. After you can stay as long as you want to roam the island. There are lots of flowers and plant life to see which I didn't expect. Overall I spent around 2 hours here.Visited May 2023Travelled soloWritten 18 May 2023
- Steve CSun City Center, Florida100 contributionsA must do especially if you have never been in prisonWe had a good day when went over to tour Alcatraz, which meant a good day and boat ride. Riding over, sit on the left side of the boat which gives you the best views over. There was a lot of people but did not feel crowded. Do the audio tour, although a little long winded at times, it was worth it to hear the stories and stuff explained. There was one of the last inmates there at the visitor center signing his book for purchase and it was fun talking to him. The book is excellent also. You have to watch the times as the boats are on a schedule and you can take any boat back. This is a must do if in San Fran.Visited May 2023Written 22 May 2023
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4.5
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Jacqueline D
8 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
A great piece of history and fun to walk around. It was great to have the audio tour. I wish we could have gotten into some more areas around the island, but I also understand that the buildings that are falling apart aren't safe.
Written 24 April 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.
John T
9 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Been on the bucket list for years, didn’t disappoint. The boat trip was handled professionally, the park ranger giving the preamble was entertaining. The walk up the hill was tempered by taking the disabled cart (bad knee) but very much appreciated. The audio tour in the cell block has been done very well, it attempts to pace it perfectly as you amble around, perhaps could just do with more obvious notes as to when to pause when it gets to busy/congested areas so it doesn’t attempt to move on when you’re still waiting. The view of San Fran bay was great near the lighthouse, just a shame certain areas are inaccessible (like the yard for example) on the island. The info boards felt about right in terms of info, and all staff were polite, friendly, exactly what you’d expect
Written 23 April 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.
alex g
12 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Great visit to Alcatraz. The guided tour offers a great insight to the jail and even better included in the ticket. The tour was done very well and throughly enjoyed it
Tour of the jail and grounds took around 2 hours and there was regular enough boats back to San Fran.
Tour of the jail and grounds took around 2 hours and there was regular enough boats back to San Fran.
Written 21 April 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.
Linda M
10 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Shocking state of falling apart but awesome history audio was excellent couldn’t do this tour without it . Don’t get out off by long queues to board return it goes down quickly.
Written 21 April 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.
Peter Z
Guelph, Canada91 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The ferry ride is short and you walk uphill to the prison. The tour with headsets is excellent. The prison cells are scary to see, small and cold. Some of the cells could have been cleaner. You get to stay on the lower level, there are cells three rows high. Capone and Kelly have their names there. The dining hall is cool as is the play yard. Solitary confinement is not for everyone. Overall a good tour.
Written 15 April 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.
Gvipin
Auckland, New Zealand230 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Good, if on a tour as a tourist to San Francisco. Enjoyed and will recommend, if one has time but is not much do. Took the morning tour and if on a holiday can/should visit.
Written 13 April 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.
Exploration814414
3 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Loved every inch of this trip to Alcatraz Island. The boat trip, the views and especially the history behind the prison walls were all excellent in gaining an understanding of prison life.
Well worth a visit. Highly recommended.
Well worth a visit. Highly recommended.
Written 13 April 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.
BOWLEGS M
East Stroudsburg, PA32 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
it was a great tour. very interesting and listening to the narration with personal earphones gave you the sense of being there in the cell with the inmate it was a great tour.
Written 10 April 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.
kirstyb294
Epsom, UK14 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
When visiting San Francisco this is a must do, I was visiting with my husband and my 10yo daughter and they LOVED it! the views from the boat were awsome as you could see the skyline and Golden Gate Bridge. The audio tour was great and intresting plus there were more things to read and see around Alcatraz island. But lacking info on some of the deatails like houw the 3 prisionors escaped. Other than that, it was a great tour and learnt a lot about history
Written 10 April 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.
Sarah G
Harrogate, UK1,538 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
We did the night tour and the tour was a bit disappointing, didn't need to spend long there as audio guide felt like it rushed you and not much extra stuff to look at. The views of the city though out and on the way back were great - make sure you go out in the light and come back at night.
Written 6 April 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 MUST Know Before You Go (2024)
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 AU$247.55)
- Alcatraz Ticket + Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour (From AU$153.17)
- Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo (From AU$185.66)
- Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip (From AU$263.02)
- Alcatraz Inside and One Day Bike Rental (From AU$188.74)
- 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:
- (2.16 km) Blue Mermaid Restaurant
- (2.23 km) The Baked Bear
- (2.30 km) Eight Am
- (2.20 km) Norman's Ice Cream and Freezes
- (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