Alcatraz Island Ferry + Audio Guide, San Francisco

A beautiful, well-executed tour. The audio guide is very useful, as are the spaces inside the prison. Everything works w...

Giulia

Explore one of America's most famous prisons on this immersive trip to Alcatraz Island with an audio guide, where you'll learn about American history, justice, and resistance. Round-trip ferry ticket and island admission included!

Details

Language

The activity takes place with an audioguide in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Chinese, Japonese, Dutch and Korean.

Included

Round–trip ferry between Pier 33 and Alcatraz Island
Admission to Alcatraz Island
Audio guide in English

Supporting documents

Electronic voucher. Have it on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets. An accompanying person is required. This must be indicated in the reservation.

Sustainability

All services meet our

Pets

Not allowed.

Frequently asked questions

If you have other questions, contact us

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 3 days before the day of the activity. Any cancellations after this or no-shows on the day will not be refunded.

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Meeting point

Pier 33.

Reviews of our customers

8.9

Excellent 2,816 Travelers·66 reviews

August 16, 2026
Giulia
Ferrara, Italy
A beautiful, well-executed tour. The audio guide is very useful, as are the spaces inside the prison. Everything works well and lasts about 2.5 hours....
With friends
Is this useful?
August 7, 2026
Estrella
Madrid, Spain
Good, but nothing different from having gotten the ticket directly at the pier.
Traveling solo
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September 10, 2026
Manuel Alonso
Madrid, Spain
Interesting activity, everything was perfect
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September 6, 2026
Hugo Adalberto
Mexico
A tour at a fair price. The audio-guided tours are convenient for exploring at your own pace. Departures from the pier to Alcatraz are convenient and ...
As a couple
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September 2, 2026
Anónimo
Spain
Super interesting and the audio guide is great
As a couple
Is this useful?
September 2, 2026
Franco
Cremona, Italy
Well organised and easy to use tour: having audio guides in different languages makes you appreciate the place
Is this useful?
August 28, 2026
Víctor Zapatero
Vigo, Spain
The Alcatraz tour is a lot of fun and very interesting. The audio guide makes it easy to follow! I would recommend it to anyone.
As a couple
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August 22, 2026
Erika
Toluca, Mexico
Well, according to the location, it wasn't correct.
With friends
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August 18, 2026
David Modroño Maeztu
Bilbao, Spain
Highly recommended activity. The audio guide is very efficient (it doesn't use numbers, it's a continuous narration of locations) and you can complete...
Is this useful?
August 14, 2026
Anónimo
Madrid, Spain
The tour was very well organized, and afterwards they gave you an audio guide in Spanish that explained all the details very well. Highly recommend bu...
As a couple
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Tour Details

One of San Francisco's must-sees is Alcatraz prison. To visit, simply make your way to Pier 33, where our ferry departs: Alcatraz City Cruises, the only authorized official provider with exclusive ferry services to Alcatraz Island.

In just a 20-minute crossing, you'll arrive at "The Rock". Still debating about whether Alcatraz is worth a visit? Trust us, you won't regret it!

Once you get off the ferry, you'll have all the free time you need to explore the world's most famous high-security prison. But why is it so famous? How did this uninhabited island become one of the United States' great defensive strongholds?

Thanks to your audio guide in English, you'll discover the history of Alcatraz, from its beginnings as a fort in 1850 to its role as a prison between 1934 and 1963. As you walk around the grounds, you'll learn about the prisoners who have passed through its cells, as well as details of escape attempts. Did you know Alcatraz Island had infamous inmates like Al Capone, the gangster Machine Gun Kelly, and Robert Stroud, known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz"?

You'll also see the prison's dining halls and courtyard with your own eyes, which is the best way to learn about the inmates' way of life.

At the time of your choosing, you can take the ferry back to Pier 33. You'll have visited one of the most feared maximum-security federal prisons in the United States!

Alcatraz Evening Tour

If you want to make your visit to this prison even more special, you can book the option of visiting Alcatraz at night. This way, you'll enjoy a much more intimate experience, discovering Alcatraz Island when most of the visitors have left.

In addition to admiring the views of the illuminated San Francisco Bay, you'll be able to access areas of the prison that are closed during the day. To make the experience even more complete, you can enjoy a special night programme run by the island's guards.

Please note that this evening tour is only available from Tuesday to Saturday.

How Does It Work?

The time you choose during the booking process is for the ferry to Alcatraz.
To take the ferry between Alcatraz and Pier 33 and vice versa, you must arrive at least 30 minutes before the time indicated on your booking.

Points of interest in San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary Yosemite National Park Painted Ladies

Types of activities in San Francisco

Guided tours and free tours Free Tour Day trips Boat tours Bus Tours in San Francisco Aircraft Tours Tourist cards Sports

Other activities in San Francisco

Filoli Garden Tickets Free Walking Tour of San Francisco Chinatown & Little Italy Free Evening Tour California Academy of Sciences Ticket San Francisco Bike Tour Bicycle Rental in San Francisco Walt Disney Family Museum Ticket The Flyer San Francisco Ticket Aquarium of the Bay Tickets San Francisco Food Tour

Tour Details

In just a 20-minute crossing, you'll arrive at "The Rock". Still debating about whether Alcatraz is worth a visit? Trust us, you won't regret it!

You'll also see the prison's dining halls and courtyard with your own eyes, which is the best way to learn about the inmates' way of life.

At the time of your choosing, you can take the ferry back to Pier 33. You'll have visited one of the most feared maximum-security federal prisons in the United States!

Alcatraz Evening Tour

Please note that this evening tour is only available from Tuesday to Saturday.

How Does It Work?

The time you choose during the booking process is for the ferry to Alcatraz.
To take the ferry between Alcatraz and Pier 33 and vice versa, you must arrive at least 30 minutes before the time indicated on your booking.

Alcatraz Island Ferry + Audio Guide