Alcatraz Island Tours: Frequently asked questions

You can purchase tickets online, by phone, or in person at the Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing ticket booth. The quickest way is through the official Alcatraz City Cruises website. You can also call +1-415-981-7625 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM PST. The ticket booth at Pier 33 opens an hour before the first ferry and closes at the last departure of the day. Same-day tickets are rarely available, so booking in advance is highly recommended.

Alcatraz tours sell out quickly, especially during peak seasons. It’s best to book at least a week in advance. Same-day tickets are usually unavailable. To secure your visit, book as early as possible online or by calling +1-415-981-7625.

If the official website shows “Not Available” for your selected date, all tours for that day are fully booked. Your best alternatives are checking for last-minute cancellations or booking a combo tour that includes Alcatraz along with other attractions.

Alcatraz City Cruises is the only authorized ferry service to the island. Other tour operators may offer boat cruises around Alcatraz, but they cannot dock on the island.

Yes, but you must call +1-415-981-7625 to complete the purchase. The recipient’s name must be provided at the time of booking, and changes cannot be made later. Gift orders are reviewed individually to prevent ticket scalping.

Children under 5 years old can visit Alcatraz for free and do not need a ticket. However, children aged 5 and older require a paid ticket to board the ferry.

Yes, a Family Pack includes tickets for two adults and two children. It can be purchased by calling +1-415-981-7625 or visiting the Pier 33 ticket booth. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

No individual military discounts are available. However, group discounts may be offered. Contact the Group Bookings department for more information.

After booking, you’ll receive an email confirmation with a QR code and booking ID. You can show this QR code on your mobile device at the boarding gate. If you forget to print your tickets, you can retrieve them at the Pier 33 ticket booth.

Visit the ticket booth at Pier 33. If you purchased in advance, use the Will Call line. Bring a valid photo ID and the credit card used for the purchase.

You can reschedule up to 72 hours before departure. Within 72 hours of your tour, rescheduling is not allowed.

If unsafe weather conditions cause cancellations, Alcatraz City Cruises will notify you and offer the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. The standard 72-hour cancellation policy does not apply in these cases.

If you miss your scheduled ferry, check in at the Will Call area at Pier 33. However, same-day refunds or rescheduling are not available, so plan to arrive early.

The “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour” is included with your ticket. You will receive an audio device upon arrival at the Cellhouse. The tour features real stories from former inmates and guards.

The Cellhouse audio tour is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

For the Day Tour, expect to spend about 2.5 to 3 hours, including ferry travel, exploring the island, and returning to Pier 33. The ferry ride takes about 12-15 minutes each way.

Return ferry times are posted at the dock and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Multiple ferries depart throughout the day, so you can leave whenever you’re ready. The ride back to Pier 33 takes approximately 12-15 minutes.

For fewer crowds, visit in early November, early December, or between January and March. For the best weather, visit in April-May or September-October. Summer can be surprisingly cold and foggy.

If you enjoy birdwatching, visit between February and August. Nesting occurs in April-May, and chicks start hatching in mid-June.

The weather is unpredictable, so dress in layers. Even if the morning is warm, bring a light jacket or sweater. Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip—avoid sandals, high heels, and leather-soled shoes.

Yes, the S.E.A.T. Tram provides transportation for visitors who need assistance from the dock to the prison. Key accessible areas include the Cellhouse, Eagle Plaza, and the Recreation Yard.

Yes, you can bring a stroller, but there is no designated storage. You can take the stroller onto the ferry and around Alcatraz Island. However, strollers are not allowed on the S.E.A.T. Tram.

No, luggage, large backpacks, and coolers are not allowed. The maximum acceptable backpack size is 16” x 20”. There are no storage facilities at Pier 33. If you bring oversized bags, you may not be allowed to board the ferry, and no refunds will be given.

Most key areas are accessible, including the Alcatraz Cellhouse, Eagle Plaza, Recreation Yard, and the Sallyport. You can also visit the Rose Garden and see historic sites like the Water Tower, Warden’s House, and Officer’s Club. Additionally, visitors can access the “Red Power on Alcatraz” exhibit about the Native American occupation of the island, as well as the “Big Lockup” exhibit on mass incarceration in the U.S.