How to get last-minute Alcatraz tickets (Even if it’s sold out!)

Alcatraz is one of San Francisco’s most sought-after attractions, and tickets sell out fast—sometimes months in advance.

If you didn’t plan ahead, you might be wondering: Is it still possible to visit?

The good news? Yes, it is! Even if tickets on the official website are sold out, there are still four ways to secure a last-minute spot:

1. Book a Combo Tour – The easiest and most reliable option, combining Alcatraz with another top San Francisco attraction.

2. Look for Canceled Tickets – Some travelers cancel at the last minute, and these tickets are re-released for sale.

3. Join the Standby Line – If someone doesn’t show up for the Alcatraz Night Tour, you might get lucky.

This guide will walk you through each option so you can still experience the legendary Alcatraz Island, even if you’re booking at the last minute!

Why do Alcatraz tickets sell out so fast?

San Francisco attracts over 20 million tourists each year, and Alcatraz Island is its most popular attraction—so naturally, everyone wants to visit this legendary former prison.

But there’s a catch. Alcatraz is actually very small. When it was an active prison, it could only hold around 500 inmates, and even at its peak, there were just 250 prisoners.

With limited space for tours, the National Park Service caps daily visitors at around 5,000 during peak season.

On top of that, Alcatraz is an island, and the only way to get there is by ferry. The number of boats and their departure schedules further limit how many people can visit each day.

Because of these two factors, only about 1.5 million out of the 20-plus million visiting San Francisco get to tour Alcatraz each year—far fewer than the number of tourists who want to go!

That’s why most of the tickets released on the official website 90 days in advance sell out right away.

• Peak Season (April – August): Tickets sell out 75 days in advance.
• Moderate Season (September – October): Tickets are usually gone 45–50 days before the visit date.

Many visitors don’t realize this and try to book tickets at the last minute, only to find everything sold out.

If you didn’t plan, don’t worry—there are still ways to visit Alcatraz:

While we’ll explain three alternative ways to get last-minute tickets, booking a combo tour is your best bet for guaranteed entry. The other two options rely on luck and availability.

Book an Alcatraz combo tour

Authorized tour operators offer Alcatraz combo tours, under the guidance of City Experiences, the official partner of Alcatraz.

Here’s how it works: Tour operators in San Francisco buy Alcatraz tickets in bulk and combine them with other top attractions. This lets visitors explore Alcatraz Island and other must-see spots in a single tour.

These combo tours include either the Alcatraz Day Tour or Night Tour and are paired with one of four types of activities:

• City Tours – Explore famous San Francisco landmarks.
• Bay Tours – Cruise around the bay for stunning views.
• Muir Woods Tours – Visit the breathtaking redwood forest.
• Wine Country Tours – Enjoy a trip to Napa or Sonoma.

Alcatraz combo tours sell out fast, so your preferred date may not always be available. If that happens, try searching for other tours with open slots!

Get last-minute Alcatraz tickets from cancellations

During peak summer months, Alcatraz tickets sell out up to 75 days in advance as travelers book early.

However, when their plans change, these visitors cancel their reservations at the last minute. When this happens, City Experiences (the official ticket provider) re-releases these tickets for sale on their website.

If you’re looking for a last-minute Alcatraz ticket, check the official Alcatraz ferry provider regularly for these canceled tickets. It’s not guaranteed, but you might just grab a spot with some luck!

Buy standby tickets for the Alcatraz Night Tour

Standby tickets for the Alcatraz Night Tour are a long shot, but if you’re trying to get last-minute tickets, it’s worth a try.

To increase your chances, arrive early—as early as 5 AM—and be first in line when the ticket office opens at 7:30 AM. Each morning, only 10 to 20 standby tickets are issued, depending on demand.

If you manage to get a standby ticket, you must return to Alcatraz Landing at least 30 minutes before the evening ferry departs—typically 5:55 PM or 6:30 PM. During winter, the night tour ferry leaves earlier at 3:50 PM.

Standby tickets are honored in the order they were sold—those who got their tickets first in the morning get priority for any available spots due to no-shows. However, getting a standby ticket does not guarantee a tour.

On average, only 50% of standby ticket holders make it onto the ferry—the rest leave without experiencing the tour. If you are feeling lucky, it’s worth the gamble!

Alert! Alcatraz City Cruises use to offer a limited number of same-day tickets every morning. These were sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the Alcatraz Landing ticket office. And tourists had to arrive at the ticket office at 7:30 AM to buy same-day Alcatraz tickets. However, in the spring of 2019, this policy was cancelled. Alcatraz Cruises no longer offers same day tickets.