How Long is the Alcatraz Day Tour?

There is no strict time limit for the Alcatraz Day Tour, but most visitors spend about 2.5 to 3 hours for the full experience.

Because the tour is self-guided, you dictate the pace. Here is how that time usually breaks down:

• Ferry Ride: 15 minutes each way.
• The Climb: 15–20 minutes to listen to the Ranger’s welcome briefing and walk (or take the tram) up to the cellhouse.
• The Audio Tour: 45–60 minutes. The “Doing Time” audio track is about 45 minutes long, but most people pause it frequently to take photos or inspect specific cells.
• Additional Exploring: 30–60 minutes. This includes wandering the gardens, visiting the museum/gift shop, or listening to a Ranger talk.

Top Tickets

– Alcatraz Day Tour
– Alcatraz Night Tour
– San Francisco Bay Cruise (no landing)
– Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz
– Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz + SFO city tour

Book tickets early, as Alcatraz Island tours sell out quickly.

On a day tour, you can stay as long as you like

One of the biggest advantages of the Alcatraz Day Tour is that your return ticket is open-ended. You do not need to book a specific return time. Ferries depart the island back to San Francisco roughly every 30 to 40 minutes.

You can race through the prison in two hours, or stay for four hours to hike the Agave Trail and watch the history film.

Note: Just be sure to check the schedule for the last boat of the day when you arrive, so you don’t get stranded!

Duration of Alcatraz Night Tour

The Alcatraz Night Tour is more structured than the day tour and usually lasts about 2.5 hours. Unlike the Day Tour, you cannot stay as long as you like; there is generally only one or two return ferries available at the end of the evening, so the duration is fixed.

Duration of Alcatraz Bay Cruise

If you choose an Alcatraz Bay Cruise (which does not land on the island), the experience is much shorter. Most bay cruises last between 60 and 90 minutes. This is the fastest way to “see” Alcatraz if you are short on time, but remember: you will only sail past it, not set foot on it.

Duration of Angel Island & Alcatraz Combo

Angel Island & Alcatraz combo tour is a full-day commitment. The combination tour, which allows you to explore the immigration station on Angel Island and the prison on Alcatraz, usually takes about 5.5 to 6 hours. It involves ferry transfers between the two islands and extensive walking.

Duration of Alcatraz Behind-the-Scenes Tour

The Alcatraz Behind-the-Scenes tour is the longest single-island tour available. Because it includes a guided 2-hour exploration of off-limits areas plus the standard audio tour, you should budget about 4 to 5 hours for this experience. It is physically demanding but covers the most ground.