Alcatraz opening hours are the same throughout the year, Monday to Sunday.
Alcatraz Island: 9 AM to 6:30 PM
Ferry: 8:40 AM to 6:30 PM
There is no fixed limit to your Alcatraz visit, but the average duration for a complete tour is around 2.5 hours including the ferry ride. Keep in mind that the 45-minute Cellhouse Audio Tour is always included in the ticket.
Alcatraz Island is located in the middle of the San Francisco Bay.
The ferry departure point is located at Piers 31-33 (cross streets of Embarcadero & Bay Street). Here you will be able to embark the official ferries that provide round-trip transportation to the island. Once there, you will find the entrance to the barracks approximately 100 feet from the docks, whereas the entrance to the Cell House is approximately 1/4 mile up the hill.
Food service is only available on the ferry, there are no food vendors on the island itself. There is, however, a picnic area near the docks, so bringing your own food is a valid option if you plan to have a meal during your visit.
There are limited bathroom facilities on the island, only at the docks and at the top of the island. Near the docks there are also areas for eating and smoking. There are no lockers available, and large bags and luggage aren't allowed, so keep that in mind when planning your visit.
Alcatraz Island is in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, so you will find plenty of exciting things to do in and near San Francisco itself!
Near your departure point, a tour of Fisherman's Wharf is always an interesting experience to find out more about the city's history.
If you love nature and the trip to Muir Woods didn't fully scratch that itch, then a tour to Yosemite Park might help.
Want to see where the most exciting pieces of technology get invented? A day trip to the Silicon Valley might inspire your next project!
But, after all the exploring, what's better than relaxing with a glass of wine? Take part in a wine tasting in San Francisco or take your experience to the next level with a tour to Napa and Sonoma Valleys, where the wine you're going to taste is actually made!
The standard tickets for Alcatraz start at $45, and include the round-trip ferry transportation. Night tour tickets start at $56 and Behind the Scenes ones start at $101, because they also include the night tour experience.
The combo tickets for Alcatraz and Angel Island start at $84.
You can book tickets for Alcatraz online, either on the official website of the ferry company or through Online Travel Agencies, like on TourScanner.
Alcatraz Island is open to visitors year-round, except on Christmas, New Year's and Thanksgiving. You can check the opening times and other relevant information on the official website.
The tickets for the ferry will have a specific departure time, so there will be no lines because people will only get there in time to embark the ship.
Free tickets for Alcatraz are only available for children aged 4 and below. There are, however, discounts available for children aged 5-11 and for seniors over 62 years.
Regular tickets do not included a guided tour, but they do include an audio guide for the Cell House. Visitors who do not wish to make use of the audio guide can ask for a refund of part of the cost of the ticket BEFORE leaving the island.
Alcatraz tickets from the official website are only refundable 72 hours before the departure date. Other types of tickets from third party sellers, like you can find on TourScanner, have a 24 hour free cancellation policy.
Alcatraz is a very popular attractions, and tickets go on sale 90 days in advance. It is highly recommended to book them as early as possible, but if you are in need of a last minute ticket and the official website is sold out, you can check the Online Travel Agencies on TourScanner for available spots.
Alcatraz Island was initially discovered by a Spanish explorer in 1775. The island's original name, Isla de los Alcatraces, meant Isle of the Pelicans. In 1853, the U.S. military identified Alcatraz as a strategic location and established a military base there, essential for defending San Francisco Bay. By 1859, the construction of Fortress Alcatraz was complete. This fortress became the most powerful fort on the West Coast, equipped with over 100 cannons and fortifications designed to withstand attacks. Its primary role was to protect the bay from foreign invasion, and it also served as the first lighthouse on the West Coast, guiding ships safely through the bay.
From 1850 to 1933, Alcatraz also served as a military prison. During the Civil War, it housed Confederate sympathizers and captured privateers. Later, Native American leaders and military prisoners found themselves incarcerated on the island.
The military prison on Alcatraz was known for its harsh conditions, intended to discipline unruly soldiers. Escape attempts were rare due to the island's isolation and the treacherous waters of San Francisco Bay. This period laid the foundation for Alcatraz's reputation as a location for detaining dangerous prisoners and contributing to its ominous legacy as "The Rock."
