When we say San Francisco, Alcatraz Island immediately comes to our mind. Rightfully so, this legendary island is worth a visit for its historical values. Plan a weekend tour to Alcatraz Island with your family, especially the young ones, to show them the Alcatraz Prison. The island has been a civil war fort and a military prison in the mid-19th century. After that, the island turned into one of the most notorious federal prisons in 1934. If you are an Alcatraz enthusiast, the hidden doorway, the secret tunnel, and the underground jail will never fail to amaze you.
What Time to Visit
The Alcatraz Tour is divided into three sections: the Day Tour, the Night Tour, and the Behind the Scenes Tour. Each of these has different timings for the visitors. The duration of the Day and Night tours is approximately 2 hours, and the Behind the Scenes tour runs for 4-5 hours. The visitors must keep ample time at hand to devour the whole experience.
The departure time for the Alcatraz Day Tour starts from 8:45 AM and runs till 3:50 PM. The timings for the Night Tour vary seasonally. During April, the Night Tour, the check-in time is 4 PM from Thursday to Monday. In summer and spring, the check-in time is 5:55 PM and 6:30 PM from Thursday to Saturday. The timing for Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour is noon till April 8 and 4:20 PM from April 9.
Ticket Guide
The Alcatraz Island prison tour
Tickets can be purchased online via Alcatraz City Cruises. The ticket prices for Alcatraz Day Tour starts from $33 for children, $46 for seniors and $49 for adult visitors. The tour includes the famous Alcatraz Island round trip ferry and access inside the Alcatraz Prison. Moreover, it comprises the Cellhouse Audio Tour, Orientation Video, Ranger and Docent Tour.
The Night Tour ticket price for the adults is $59 and for seniors $55. For children, the price is $38. This tour has extra facilities in the package than the day tour, such as onboard narration, guided tour and other special activities.
The Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour is a bit more pricey than the other two, but it still is worth the money and time. The ticket price for adults, seniors and children between 12-17 are $104, $97.40 and $99.95, respectively. The tour offers many attractions, such as the two-hour Park Ranger guided tour with a small group of visitors, additional events and exhibits, and docent-guided tours and talks.
You can book the tickets online to avoid the crowd at the ticket counter and save time. However, the tickets get sold quickly; hence book well in advance.
How to Reach
The Ferry of Alcatraz City Cruises is located on the Embarcadero (Pier 33) near Bay Street in San Francisco. The easiest way to reach the ferry terminal is taking public transportation because parking is not available at Pier 33. Take the Muni F Line along Market Street, which runs right past the ferry terminal. Though, driving from the centre of San Francisco to Pier 33 takes only 15 minutes. But the limited parking facility makes it difficult for the visitors to take a car.
Things to Do in & Around
When in San Francisco, there is no shortage of tourist spots. Besides the Alcatraz Island Ferry Tour, you can book a package that includes a food voucher at a restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf. Enjoy a delectable meal after returning from the ferry with a spectacular view.
Moreover, you can check out the lighthouse at Alcatraz Island or the famous Golden Gate Bridge. You can opt for the Muir Woods and Sausalito tour package and enjoy your day in the redwood forest if you love hiking. These are some of the most exciting tour packages to avail during your visit to San Francisco or for a fun weekend getaway.
Address & Phone Support
Alcatraz Island is located at San Francisco, CA 94133, United States. For queries and support, you can reach the phone at 415 561-4900.
