Official Website of Alcatraz- book official tickets today!
Alcatraz has two official websites—one for information and one for buying tickets.
While U.S. The National Park Service (nps.gov) provides authoritative details on planning, accessibility, and island rules, it doesn’t sell Alcatraz tickets.
The sale of ferry tickets happens on Alcatraz City Cruises (cityexperiences.com), the only official and exclusive authorized concessionaire for tours to Alcatraz Island.
But hold on, don’t rush yet. First, read the whole article, then decide whether you really want to book your Alcatraz tickets on the official website.
Top Tickets
– Alcatraz Day Tour
– Alcatraz Night Tour
– San Francisco Bay Cruise (no landing)
– Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz
– Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz + SFO city tourBook tickets early, as Alcatraz Island tours sell out quickly.
Table of Contents
Why do some travelers shy away from the official Alcatraz website?
Here are three reasons why tourists often prefer resellers to the official website when booking Alcatraz Island tickets.
Reason 1: Tickets sold are not refundable within the last 72 hours
Heads up: official purchases come with a strict no-refund policy.
On the Alcatraz Cruises official site, tickets can’t be canceled or rescheduled within 72 hours of departure (unless you bought the paid flexibility add-on).
That’s exactly when plans usually change—right before the trip.
However, travel aggregators such as GetYourGuide, Tiqets etc offer cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit. Book Flexible Tickets Now!
Reason 2: You can’t book official Alcatraz tickets far in advance (~90 days)
If you’re planning early, don’t be surprised if the official calendar dates are grayed out.
Alcatraz releases tickets on the official website’s calendar 90 days in advance and refreshes it on a rolling basis.
Dates beyond that are “grayed out” so early planners (summer holidays, long weekends, group trips) can’t lock anything in—and when the window finally opens, the rush begins and prime slots go fast.
If you’re planning much in advance, you won’t be able to book your visit on Cityexperiences.com.
However, travel aggregators offer bookings for many months in advance (beyond the 90-day window). Lock your preferred date months ahead so you don’t depend on the official 90-day release rush.
Reason 3: Last minute tickets are almost always sold out
With releases in short batches, the official calendar quickly flips to “Sold Out.”
If you plan to buy Alcatraz tickets at the last minute, you will see that they are mostly sold out. Especially the weekends and late-morning slots.
This is because of two reasons:
- Most tourists head towards the official site, to buy the tickets
- Alcatraz official site releases seats in small batches
On GetYourGuide or Viator, you’ll often find dates and times that aren’t sold out, so you can pick your exact day/time instead of settling for leftovers. You can also plan the rest of your itinerary with certainty.
Same-day tickets are rare—here’s what to do instead
Try these, in order:
- Check the City Experiences site often because cancellation drops happen
- Consider the Alcatraz Night Tour (often released in a different capacity than Day)
- Look at guided combos that include Alcatraz (e.g., Muir Woods + Sausalito, or Day Tour + Bay Cruise)
Best Alcatraz tours also available on official site
- Alcatraz Day Tour – The classic Alcatraz experience (ferry + Cellhouse audio).
- Alcatraz Night Tour – After-dark ambiance with ranger/hosted programs.
- Alcatraz + Muir Woods + Sausalito – Full-day combo with redwoods and waterfront views.
- Alcatraz Hop on Hop Off Tour – Alcatraz Island entry along with a 48-Hour Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour through San Francisco
Key facts at a glance
- Where departures start: Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing on the Embarcadero. Get Directions.
- What your ticket includes: Round-trip ferry + Cellhouse audio tour (multi-language).
- Booking window: Tickets are released ~90 days in advance; advance purchase strongly recommended.
- Sell-outs: Popular dates sell out weeks ahead, especially in peak season; same-day is often unavailable.
- Time to plan: Allow 2½–3 hours total; ferry ride is ~12–15 min each way.
- Accessibility: Island climb is ~130 ft (≈13 stories); the S.E.A.T. tram assists visitors with mobility needs.
- Food on island: Food is limited. Eating is restricted to dock areas; pack light snacks/water.
- Private docking: Not permitted; access is by the authorized ferry only.
Note: Check the official ticketing calendar first. If your preferred day/time is gone—or you want a bundle (e.g., city tour, bay cruise, Muir Woods + Sausalito)—Book here.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve gathered the most common questions about Alcatraz tickets:
Is the official Cellhouse audio tour included?
Yes, the official cellhouse audio tour is included with the ferry ticket (multiple languages, transcripts/Braille available).
How far in advance should I book the official Alcatraz Tickets?
As early as possible. Tickets open ~90 days ahead and often sell out weeks in advance during peak season; same-day tickets are not guaranteed. It’s best to book your Alcatraz tickets here, with free cancellation, to lock in your date now.
How long should I plan for the visit?
Allow 2½–3 hours including ferry time; crossings are ~12–15 minutes each way.
Can private boats dock at Alcatraz?
Access to Alcatraz Island is via the authorized ferry only.
Is the Alcatraz Island accessible?
Yes. The S.E.A.T. tram connects the dock and Cellhouse; the Cellhouse has elevators. Expect a steep climb if walking.
What languages is the Alcatraz audio tour available in?
The Cellhouse audio tour is offered in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Russian.
Can I bring food/bags to Alcatraz?
You may eat in the dock area. At all other places on Alcatraz Island, only bottled water is allowed.
