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Cellhouse Audio Tour – Alcatraz City Cruises

Doing time: the alcatraz cellhouse tour.

The award-winning Alcatraz audio tour, “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour,” is offered using traditional audio tour equipment provided onsite.

If you do not wish to visit the Cellhouse, refunds for the Cellhouse Audio Tour are available on the Island. For more information, please inquire with a Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy supervisor on the Island at the entrance to the Cellhouse. These refunds cannot be requested through the Alcatraz City Cruises Ticketbooth or the Call Center.

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The Official Tour of Alcatraz Island and Prison

Step back in time and experience the legendary island that has been a Civil War fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history. This memorable tour includes: 45 minute audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour,” featuring actual correctional officers and prisoners who lived and worked on the Island; orientation video by Discovery Channel; ranger and docent tours; historic gardens and abundant wildlife.

CELLHOUSE AUDIO TOUR

No one can tell the Alcatraz tale like the men who actually lived it. The captivating Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour brings history alive through the actual voices of the correctional officers and inmates who lived on the island during the infamous Federal Penitentiary era.

Hear both sides of life in the island prison including such famous events as escape attempts, “The Battle of ’46”, food riots, and surviving solitary confinement.

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

GARDENS OF ALCATRAZ

From the military to the penitentiary era, plants softened the Rock for those who called Alcatraz home. Through gardening, island residents created beauty in a place focused on defense, punishment, and confinement. The families of the guards enjoyed tea parties in the gardens, and gardening became a welcome pastime. For trusted inmates, the gardens were an escape from daily prison life. Even today, the thriving gardens are a stark contrast to the somber prison.

After closure of the prison in 1963, many plants survived decades without care. These survivors are excellent choices for gardeners in the Bay Area or other Mediterranean climates. Since 2003, The Garden Conservancy has been working in partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service to restore these wonderful gardens and to share the stories with visitors.

Join a garden docent for an up-close look at the restored historic gardens of Alcatraz. Learn about the softer side of the Rock and how gardens made life tolerable for residents of the barren island. Tours leave the Alcatraz dock at 9:30 am every Friday and Sunday.

GUIDED TOURS

Join the island staff for a guided walking tour of Alcatraz Island. Programs are offered throughout the day and generally start either at the dock or lighthouse. Topics may include Famous Inmates, Escapes, Hollywood’s Rock, 200 Years of Alcatraz History, and Fortress Alcatraz. Some programs even take visitors into restricted areas of the island.

Guided tours generally last 45 minutes to an hour, and may involve walking moderate distances.

Tours and times vary daily, so check the Program Board when you arrive on the island dock. No reservations are required, and all programs are free.

ALCATRAZ: STORIES FROM THE ROCK

Alcatraz: Stories From the Rock takes viewers on a journey through the Island’s many chapters: its early role as a military fortress, the famous federal penitentiary years, the Indian occupation that altered the course of history, and finally the popular National Park and wildlife refuge it is today.

Alcatraz stands as a powerful symbol of protection and change. The film explores Alcatraz as it began, as it evolved, and as it stands today and allows viewers to discover the many layers that make it an incredible time capsule of history and human drama.

VIDEO: WE HOLD THE ROCK

The occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 to 1971 by “Indians of All Tribes” changed the course of U.S. and American Indian history, and brought world-wide attention to the plight of American Indians. The award winning video/exhibit, “WE HOLD THE ROCK,” produced by the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, is shown continually in the China Alley exhibit behind the main theater area near the dock.

ALCATRAZ AND THE AMERICAN PRISON EXPERIENCE

“Alcatraz and the American Prison Experience,” a major interpretive exhibit, explains the place of Alcatraz in the evolution of prisons in America from Colonial days to the present. Produced in partnership with the federal Bureau of Prisons, the exhibit also looks at family life on Alcatraz and trends in American penology. The exhibit is housed in two historic fortress storerooms in the China Alley display area near the dock.

Visiting Alcatraz: How to do it right and get the most from your trip

By: Author Ginny Vail

Posted on Published: 13 Feb 2024  - Last updated: 27 Feb 2024

Visiting Alcatraz is one of the top things to do in San Francisco. The tour includes the Alcatraz Ferry to the island, the infamous prison audio tour, and more.

The island has so much to offer, it’s little wonder that visiting Alcatraz is a top San Francisco attraction . The infamous former federal penitentiary is on an island in San Francisco Bay, so the tour includes a short ferry ride with great views of the bay and city skyline. It also includes an excellent audio tour of the Alcatraz prison cellhouse, exhibits, and talks and tours led by National Park staff.

Alcatraz is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is operated by the National Park Service. In normal times, more than 1.7 million people visit Alcatraz each year.

When planning your visit to San Francisco, you can find more great sights in our San Francisco Itinerary article.

Here’s what’s in this article:

• About visiting Alcatraz
• Getting  tickets to Alcatraz
• Ticket types: Day Tour , Behind the Scenes Tour , Night Tour
• Getting to Alcatraz Landing (at Pier 33) to catch the ferry
• Ferry to Alcatraz Island
• About the cellhouse audio tour
• Brief mention of the great escape , famous inmates , and ghosts

Best time to go

• Bits of history
• Good things to know about an Alcatraz visit

About Visiting Alcatraz

A National Park Ranger meets each arriving ferry to welcome visitors to the island and to provide a brief orientation and review the day’s program schedule. In addition to the great cellhouse tour, there are permanent and temporary exhibits, ranger led walks and talks, a trail to take, gardens to see, and lots of interpretive signs around the island.

Although Alcatraz is open every day except for three major holidays, getting to and from the island depends on the ferry schedule, and it varies. Tickets are timed and coincide with a ferry going to the island. Once on the island, you can stay as long as you wish, just check the ferry schedule posted on the dock, and make sure you don’t miss the last boat back to Pier 33.

Days and hours open: Alcatraz is open from 10am to 8pm every day of the year except for three holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Time needed to visit: Allow about 3 hours for the ferry ride and Cellhouse Audio tour. Allow more if you also take the Behind the Scenes and/or Night Tour. Location: The tour begins (and ends) at Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 on the Embarcadero.

Tickets to Alcatraz

Purchase your tickets early because they often sell out days in advance. This is especially true during the summer months and holidays. The tickets are timed and dated.

Buy tickets from Alcatraz City Cruises . It’s the only concessioner authorized by the National Park Service . The price of the ticket is specifically for the ferry and the cellhouse audio tour. The National Park Service does not have an entry fee for the island.

There are three types of Alcatraz tickets and they all include the ferry to/from the island and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. The Behind the Scenes Tour and Night Tour are currently offered Tuesday through Saturday. Here are more details about each of the three ticket types:

What you get:  Access to all open parts of the island, the theatre, and exhibits and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. Time needed:  Most people spend about 3-hours (including the ferry), but you can spend all day if you wish, just don’t miss the last ferry back. Currently Offered: Daily

Behind the Scenes Tour

What you get:  This is a small group guided tour through parts of the island not normally open to visitors. It includes some underground locations that were created by the Fort Alcatraz military in the 1800s. The Behind the Scenes ticket also includes the night tour and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. Time needed: My recent Behind the Scenes Tour took 2.5 hours just for the tour. We boarded the 2:45p ferry from Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and joined our guide on the Alcatraz dock at 3p. We finished the tour at 5:30p. If you also take the included Night Tour, allow 5 hours, and if you take the included Cell Block Audio Tour too, make it 6 hours. That should cover all tours and the ferry in both directions. Currently Offered: Tuesday through Saturday afternoons

A bit more about the Behind the Scenes Tour:

We walked from the dock up to the cell house and along the way stopped at several locations while our guide (Jim) shared historical details and stories about the locations and people. Jim has worked on the island for several years and had a lot of interesting stories to share.

Part way up the hill, we went through an underground tunnel that was built by the military on Fort Alcatraz and used to move munitions to gun placements. Alcatraz Island became Fort Alcatraz in the 1850s as part of the Triangle of Defense guarding San Francisco Bay.

At the top of the hill, we entered the cell block and went down a flight of stairs to an old underground jail. This was the Fort Alcatraz jail and was used for conscientious objectors and other men who would not follow orders. This area is now called the dungeon and the conditions were appalling: no bed, no bedding, no toilet, and not much food.

Alcatraz Night Tour

What you get:  A guided (Ranger or educator led) tour from the dock to the Cellhouse, and after the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour, a guided tour back to the dock. Time needed:  3-hours, including the ferry Currently Offered: Tuesday through Saturday afternoons

I’ve not taken the Night Tour, but I can certainly appreciate why it’s so popular. In addition to the Cell House Audio Tour and a variety of short talks and demonstrations, the Night Tour has these advantages:

• you get a more complete view of the entire island because the ferry circles Alcatraz Island before docking.
• you get an unobstructed view of the city skyline and might see the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge.
• the night tours are limited to a few hundred people, so the island is much less crowded.

Getting to Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and Alcatraz Island

When you book your ticket(s), you select a specific date and time, and that’s the date and time your ferry leaves Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and heads to Alcatraz Island. Here are three options for getting to Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 and a map with locations pinned:

Getting to Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33)

• Public Transit:  Take a historic F-Market & Wharves Streetcar. It stops on the Embarcadero at Bay Street, nearly in front of Pier 33. It’s my favorite way to get there.
• Walking:  If you’re in the vicinity of Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, it’s an easy walk. It’s only about 1,700-feet (524 m) from Pier 39 to Pier 33.
• Parking near Pier 33: The Waterfront Plaza Parking Garage is the closest, and it’s open daily. It’s located at 80 Francisco Street. Check the Parkopedia website for times, prices, and reservations.

Alcatraz Landing and Island Map

Click the map image below to go to the expandable, interactive Google Map with pins for Alcatraz Landing, Alcatraz Island and other nearby sights and places of interest. The pins have brief descriptions.

Alcatraz Ferries

The ferry takes about 15-minutes to get from Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) to Alcatraz Island. Once on the island, you can get back to Pier 33 on any ferry departing the island. Check the schedule posted at the dock, so you don’t miss the last ferry of the day.

Ferry tips: On my most recent visit, the last Day Tour ferry left Alcatraz at 4:25pm. For the Night Tour, there is one ferry to and from the island.

Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour

Tip: It’s a ¼ mile (0.4 km) uphill walk from the boat dock to the cellhouse. Visitors with limited mobility are welcome to take the free Tram up and down the hill.

The excellent 30-minute audio tour guides you through the cellhouse and features former prisoners and guards telling their stories. It’s called  Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour . The audio tour is available in these 10 languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Download the National Park Service App

You can have more information about Alcatraz literally at your fingertips, if you Download the National Park Service App onto your smartphone. Search the app for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and then select Alcatraz Island from the list of GGNRA locations. You’ll find descriptions and location information for 14 sights on the island.

Alcatraz Famous Inmates

Alcatraz was a maximum-security federal prison from 1934 to 1963. Among the 1,545 men sent there, a few were famous: Al “Scarface” Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Arthur “Doc” Barker, Alvin “Creepy Karpis” Karpavicz, Robert “The Birdman” Stroud, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, and Meyer “Mickey” Cohen.

Alcatraz Escape Attempts

There were several attempted escapes but only one that may have been successful. In 1962, three men, Frank Morris and the Anglin Brothers tunneled out of their cells and slipped into the bay in a makeshift raft. They were never seen again, and their bodies were never found.

On the cell block tour, you’ll learn how Morris and the Anglin Brothers dug their tunnels and fooled the guards into believing they were asleep in their cells. Stay tuned for more: recent facial-recognition technology may have solved the case.

In the 1979 film,  Escape from Alcatraz , Clint Eastwood plays Frank Morris.

Is Alcatraz Haunted; Are There Ghosts?

There are reports of people hearing crying or moaning coming from the empty cells. It’s also claimed that a prisoner in Cell 14D died after screaming that he was being killed by a ghost. Some visitors have also claimed they felt extreme coldness after visiting Cell 14D. So, maybe there are ghosts on Alcatraz, or maybe it’s just the cold wind blowing through the cellhouse.

Weather-wise, mid-September through mid-November is best. The summer fog (nature’s air conditioner) doesn’t roll in as often and the winter rains haven’t yet started. The rest of the year, the weather is mixed: there are often gorgeous, sunny days in winter and spring, and summer days can quickly turn chilly if the fog rolls in. Dressing in layers is always a good idea in San Francisco.

Is it better to visit Alcatraz in the morning or afternoon? Early morning is best if you prefer to go when the island is less crowded. Midday is best if you prefer a warmer day and sunny skies. I took the photo below on the Agave Trail about 1pm in early December. It was a gorgeous sunny day with temperatures in the 60s.

Gardens on The Rock

Alcatraz is nicknamed  The Rock  for good reason: it’s a 225-acre rock. But beginning with the residents of Fort Alcatraz, people brought soil to the island and planted gardens. Now there are gardens scattered all over the island. Military families, and later prisoners and prison staff planted and tended them; now they are tended by volunteers.

Take the Agave Trail between the dock and the Parade Ground to see the Agave Garden and great views of the Island and bay.

Bits of Alcatraz History

• 1775: While mapping San Francisco Bay, Spanish explorers, observe a small rocky island occupied by a colony of brown pelicans; they name the island Alcatraces (strange birds). Overtime, the name was anglicized to Alcatraz. You’ll likely see flocks of pelicans flying by during your visit, and they are strange looking birds.
• 1850: The island became Fort Alcatraz as part of the Triangle of Defense to guard San Francisco Bay. First it was a military fortification and later became a military prison.
• 1854: California’s first lighthouse was built on Alcatraz.
• 1934–1963: Alcatraz was a maximum-security federal penitentiary.
• 1969: Native Americans took over and occupied the island from late 1969 to mid 1971.
• 1972: Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which included Alcatraz.

Native American Occupation

Notice the red graffiti above the bookstore by the dock and also on the water tower. These are remnants of the Native American occupation of the island from late 1969 to mid 1971. The Indians hoped to build a university and cultural center on the island, but they were never able to raise enough money to do so.

More Things to Know About Visiting Alcatraz

• Do wear sturdy walking shoes. Walking surfaces are uneven.
• Do bring a jacket or sweatshirt. When the fog rolls in through the Golden Gate, it heads straight for Alcatraz.
• Don’t bring more stuff than you can carry. There are no lockers or storage facilities.
• Please don’t eat anywhere on the island except in the picnic area by the dock. You can bring your own food or buy snacks in the bookstore/gift shop.
• Wheelchairs are not available for loan or rent at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing or on Alcatraz Island.

Who would have imagined that a 19 th  century fort and an old prison would become such a popular place to visit? Perhaps it’s the combination of a rugged small island with an interesting history, and the ferry boat ride on San Francisco Bay. It’s a great way to spend half a day, and I hope you enjoy it.

For more ideas about things to do and see in San Francisco, visit these articles:

• Seven Unique San Francisco Neighborhoods to Visit
• 12 Best Parks and Gardens in San Francisco
• 15 Best Museums in San Francisco

About the Author

Ginny Vail is a travel writer who loves travel planning, sightseeing, photography, and videography. She’s visited all 50 states and traveled around the world. Her articles focus on discovering places to go, sights to see, and details about when and how to visit them.

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Alcatraz Experience-Audio Tour Software

Company name: golden gate national parks conservancy, alcatraz ex overview.

A brand new, limited Special Edition audio tour, Alcatraz in Times of Change, is available for you to download now! This 30-minute tour shares entertaining and compelling stories about Alcatraz.

It is drawn from staff’s personal interviews with former prisoners, correctional officers, and kids who grew up here, as well as decades of deep research into the Island’s lesser-known stories.

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Product Details and Description of

The world-famous Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour is now available for download. Narrated by former correctional officers, formerly incarcerated individuals, and former residents of Alcatraz. Hear the history from those who actually lived it! Offered in numerous languages. Audio tour only accessible while visiting Alcatraz.

Top Reviews

By MorrisNYC

Great Alcatraz Experience

I had a great experience on Alcatraz taking an outdoor audio tour, learning about the island’s fascinating history. Really interesting, well told, great voices too.

By ntelsis2020

Thank you so much!

A great new tour, during this tough time! I can’t wait!

By San Francisco resident

Fascinating!

Great, interesting stories about guards, inmates, escapes, kids, and lots of other people who lived in Alcatraz!

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Alcatraz Tours

Escaping to Alcatraz ? Enjoy the trip. And make sure to check out the Parks Conservancy's award-winning "Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour." The audio tour is included with the purchase of an Alcatraz tour ticket. Get your Alcatraz tickets from Alcatraz City Cruises here  or call (415) 981-ROCK (7625). 

Also try our unique Alcatraz Night Tours  and Behind the Scenes Tours . You’ll get access to hidden areas of the island on small tours led by NPS rangers and historical experts from the Parks Conservancy. No two tours are ever the same, perfect for a birthday or other special occasion. Get tickets today from Alcatraz City Cruises  and find more info about how you can Escape to Alcatraz !

To purchase Alcatraz tour tickets and for tour schedule information, call (415) 981-7625 or visit Alcatraz Cruises .

Be sure to buy tickets several days in advance (up to several weeks in summer), as tours sell out quickly. Wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes, bring your camera, and get ready to have an exciting and memorable visit to The Rock!

Guided tours are offered each day by park rangers and other staff. You’ll learn about:

• The island’s natural history
• San Francisco Bay
• Civilian life of correctional officers
• Escape attempts
• Restored historical gardens

Alcatraz Tour Features

Fresh-air ferry ride Speed across the bay through the wind and salt spray as the ferry takes you from Pier 33 to one of the most infamous island prisons of all time. The make-believe home of Clint Eastwood in Escape from Alcatraz, the prison housed many a bad guy in its heyday.

Walk-in prison experience Step behind bars into the depths of a maximum-security cell house. See where prisoners ate, slept, exercised, or did time in the isolation of the “Treatment Unit,” or worse still, in the complete darkness of the “Hole.” Learn how some of the convicts made their escapes.

Sound and light Take advantage of the audiovisual aids to learn some history: the cell house audio tour features voices and stories of actual inmates and guards, and a video exhibit explains the birth of the Native American Red Power movement at Alcatraz.

Special Alcatraz Tours

Alcatraz Historic Gardens Tours Join a garden docent for a walk through the restored historic gardens and learn about the softer side of the Rock. Tours leave the Alcatraz dock every Friday and Sunday at 9:30 am. On Wednesdays from 11 am–2 pm, have your questions answered by a gardener at the Officer’s Row overlook and enjoy a personal tour of these gardens.

Alcatraz Night Tour You can also experience the island at night on the Alcatraz Night Tour , a unique program limited to just a few hundred visitors each evening. Called the “best tour of the Bay Area” by the San Francisco Chronicle, it includes special programs, tours, and activities offered only to the island’s night visitors.

The Alcatraz Night Tour operates year-round, Thursday-Monday evenings. The evening includes roundtrip ferry transportation, a live boat narration, a guided tour from Dock to Cellhouse, the Cellhouse Audio Tour, a keepsake souvenir brochure, recreation use fee, and a variety of special programs and presentations offered only at night. To purchase tickets visit Alcatraz Cruises or call (415) 981-7625.

Proceeds from the Alcatraz Night Tour support preservation and restoration projects on Alcatraz and throughout the Golden Gate National Parks. For general (non-ticket) Night Tour information, please call (415) 561-4926.

Become an Alcatraz Night Tour volunteer —Volunteers with the Alcatraz Night Tour work in one of America’s most famous sites. Activities include welcoming and orienting arriving visitors, showing them some lesser known areas of the island as well as performing resource protection duties. If you would like to join our team as a VIP, please call the NPS volunteer hotline at (415) 561-4755, the Night Tour directly at (415) 561-4927.

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Alcatraz Experience-Audio Tour for Android

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Alcatraz Experience-Audio Tour: The Audio Tour of the Cellhouse

Alcatraz Experience-Audio Tour is an Android app developed by Guru Experience. Co. It is a free education and reference app that offers users an audio tour of the world-famous Alcatraz Cellhouse . The audio tour is narrated by former correctional officers, formerly incarcerated individuals, and former residents of Alcatraz. The best part of this audio tour is that you can hear the history from those who actually lived it, giving you an authentic experience of the place.

The app offers the audio tour in numerous languages, making it accessible to people from all over the world. However, the audio tour is only accessible while visiting Alcatraz. The app provides a unique and immersive experience that enhances the overall visit to this historic site.

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Alcatraz Time 11:20 AM (PST)

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Early Bird Tour

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Tour Options

We are the official provider of alcatraz island tickets.

Ticket Quantity

As the official concessioner to the National Park Service, Alcatraz Cruises offers several Alcatraz Island tour options, from in-depth, behind-the-scenes experiences to daily visits to Alcatraz Island. Your visit to Alcatraz Island includes round-trip transportation and the award-winning “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour”.

Tour Options Overview

Compare what’s included per tour.

2.5 / hours

Round Trip Ferry to Alcatraz

Famly Packs are available **

Adult $37.25

Special Tour Activities

On-Board Narration

Guided Tour

Adult $44.25

4.5 / hours

No Children Allowed

Adult $89.25

5.5 / hours

Angel Island Tram Tour

Adult $71.50

Pertinent Information

Language translations.

The awared-winning Cellhouse audio tour is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portugues, Russian, and Spanish

When to Buy Tickets

Tickets are available for purchase 90 days in advance. Advance purchase is highly recommended due to seasonal sellouts.

Tour Duration

Duration of tour is approximate based on duration data averages.

Family Packs

Family Packs are available for the Early Bird and Day Tours only. The family Pack includes 2 Audlt and 2 Child (ages 5-11) tour ticets. Family Pack Alcatraz tour tickets can only be purchased by phone at 415.981.ROCK (7625) , or in person at the ticket booth located at Pier 33 Alcactraz Landing.

Group Tours

If booking a tour for a group of 15 people or more, please contact Alcatraz Cruises Group Services Department at 415.438.8361 ; or e-mail [email protected]

First Visit, Least Crowded

Departing Pier 33 at 8:45AM; this is the first Alcatraz Island tour of the day. The Early Bird Tour is the same as the Day Tour, so get a head start on your Alcatraz Island adventure and avoid the crowds arriving later in the day.

Available Daily (except when closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day).

Tickets Include

• Round-trip Ferry Ride to Alcatraz Island
• Award-winning Cellhouse Audio Tour
• Daily Optional Programs and Exhibits

Learn more about the Early Bird Tour

*Prices subject to change without notice

** Family pack tickets can only be purhcased by calling 411.5981.ROCK (7625) or in person at the ticket booth, located at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing.

Experience the Cellhouse. Explore the Island.

Step back in time and experience the legendary Island that has been a Civil War fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history.  Tour the Cellhouse at your own pace with the award-winning audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour”.  Stop to picture yourself in a dark solitary confinement cell, hear the stories of life inside from real prisoners, and feel the intensity of a prison breakout from correctional officers who lived and worked on the Island.  

In addition, this memorable tour includes multiple   Park Programs : an orientation video by Discovery Channel; ranger and docent tours; historic gardens and abundant wildlife.

Learn more about the Day Tour

Only Visitors, Night Views

Your tour begins as you leave the Landing and enjoy a guided tour around Alcatraz Island by ferry, pointing out the hidden spots used for attempted escapes, and prison structures unreachable by foot.  Once docked, a ranger-led walk up the hill to the Cellhouse stops to highlight the layers of history from pre-Civil War to military cannon, and family life on the Island.

Tour the Cellhouse at your own pace with the award winning audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour”.  Stop to picture yourself in a dark solitary confinement cell, hear the stories of life inside from real prisoners, and feel the intensity of a prison breakout as told by correctional officers who lived and worked on the Island.

You are the only visitors on the Island, so take advantage of special   Park Programs   during the course of the evening and enjoy breathtaking views of San Francisco as night falls.

Available Monday through Thursday

• On-board Narration During Round-trip Ferry Ride
• Docent Guided Tours and Talks

Learn more about the Night Tour

Behind the Scenes Tour

Limited group size, in-depth exploration.

Discover areas previously not available to the public!  Join a group of 30 people or fewer on a Ranger-guided adventure to explore clues to the Island’s fascinating past…a tunnel here, an underground jail there, and special gardens with stunning views.  Stories, artifacts, and hidden doorways will satisfy your passion for Alcatraz secrets!

Continue your comprehensive Alcatraz Island experience by taking the Cellhouse audio tour at your own pace, with the award winning audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour”.  Stop to picture yourself in a dark solitary confinement cell, hear the stories of life inside from real prisoners, and feel the intensity of a prison breakout from correctional officers who lived and worked on the Island.

For more insights, take advantage of special Park Programs   during the course of the evening tour and enjoy breathtaking sunset and city lights of San Francisco as night falls.

Available Thursday through Monday

• Exclusive Behind the Scenes Ranger Guided Tour

Learn more about the Behind the Scenes Tour

PLEASE NOTE: This is a physically strenuous tour that lasts 5 hours. All participants must be 12 years of age or older due to the lengthy duration of the Behind the Scenes Tour. FAQ’s for Behind the Scenes Tour

Alcatraz and Angel Island Tour

Two islands, full day experience.

The combination of two of San Francisco Bay’s most famous islands, Alcatraz and Angel Island, make for a great day on the bay. This seasonal tour includes ferry rides to and from Alcatraz and Angel Island, a one-hour narrated tram tour of Angel Island, and the Alcatraz Cellhouse audio tour. Details about your time on Alcatraz and ferry schedule are below; click here for details about your time on Angel Island.

Your one-hour Angel Island Tram Tour is a short walk from the Angel Island dock. The second hour of your tour is spent as you choose: taking a walking tour, enjoying the cafe, chatting with a ranger at the Visitor Center. Please note: All other tours or activities, such as segways or bicycle rentals, on Angel Island are not included in the Alcatraz & Angel Island Combination Tour ticket.

On Alcatraz Island, walk the Cellhouse at your own pace with the award winning audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour”. Stop to picture yourself in a dark solitary confinement cell, hear the stories of life inside from real prisoners, and feel the intensity of a prison breakout from correctional officers who lived and worked on the Island.

Available weekend service March – October 2017. Additional daily service June 3 – October 1, 2017.

• Round-trip Ferry Ride from Alcatraz Island to Angel Island
• One-hour Narrated Tram Tour of Angel Island

Learn more about the Alcatraz and Angel Island Tour

Alcatraz Island Named #1 Landmark in the U.S.

In 2015 by tripadvisor reviews.

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• About this activity

Private 2-Hour Alcatraz Audio Tour

• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Multiple languages

Embark on an exhilarating journey through history with our Alcatraz Highlights Tour! Step foot on the infamous island that once contained America's most notorious criminals and immerse yourself in the captivating tales of Alcatraz. Witness the chilling cells that housed Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, as you explore the imposing cell blocks. Be captivated by the echoes of the past as you wander through the eerie corridors, and soak in the stunning panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline. Don't miss your chance to uncover the mysteries and legends of America's most infamous prison on our Alcatraz Highlights Tour - a thrilling adventure you won't ever forget!

Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the Pintours App!

With our app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.

Activity location

• 94133, San Francisco, California, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

• Wed, Apr 17 -
• Thu, Apr 18 $25
• Fri, Apr 19 $25
• Sat, Apr 20 $25
• Sun, Apr 21 $25
• Mon, Apr 22 $25
• Tue, Apr 23 $25
• Wed, Apr 24 $25
• Thu, Apr 25 $25
• Fri, Apr 26 $25
• Sat, Apr 27 $25
• Sun, Apr 28 $25
• Mon, Apr 29 $25
• Tue, Apr 30 $25
• Wed, May 1 $25

Alcatraz Audio Tour Only in Multilingual

• Activity duration is 2 hours 2h 2h
• Opening hours: Thu 7:00am-5:00pm

Ferry Tickets not included: You can purchase them when at the Pier. Includes Pintours App Guide - Unlock secret stories, audio, and music

Tour and Alcatraz Tickets in Multilingual

• Opening hours: Thu 8:00am-5:00pm

Alcatraz Ferry Tickets: Includes admission to Alcatraz Island! Ferry Ride : Includes Round trip ferry to Alcatraz Island.

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included Official Alcatraz ticket, including ferry ride to the island (Value $45.25) -only if option selected
• What's included What's included Unlock secret stories, audio, and music
• What's included What's included Pintours App Guide
• What's excluded What's excluded Official Alcatraz ticket, if option not selected

Know before you book

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Activity itinerary

• Admission ticket included

Alcatraz Island

Best deals on things to do, top experiences in san francisco.

Alcatraz Tour

• Pintours App Guide
• Unlock secret stories, audio, and music
• If option selected: Alcatraz ticket, including ferry ride to the island (Value $45.25)
• Entry/Admission - Pier 33
• Entry/Admission - Alcatraz Island
• Guide and transportation
• 33 Pier 33, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA Please meet at Pier 33, the Alcatraz Ferry loading zone.
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Stroller accessible
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Most travelers can participate
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• You'll start at 33 Pier 33 33 Pier 33, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA Please meet at Pier 33, the Alcatraz Ferry loading zone. See address & details
• 1 Alcatraz Island Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the most notorious island in all of San Francisco, the one and only Alcatraz Prison! Prepare yourselves for a journey into the heart of crime, mystery, and a whole lot of intrigue. Now, let's get ready to dive into the captivating history of this rock! So where exactly are we? We're standing on an imposing chunk of land smack dab in the middle of the frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay. This island was first called "La Isla de los Alcatraces" by the Spanish explorers, which means "The Island of the Pelicans." Includes a fully guided tour of sights on the ferry ride, Alcatraz history, and a full tour of the major sights in Alcatraz Island. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• Flyer19478346019 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wow! Had a blast This was such a unique experience. Got to learn about the cable cars, and in the app you can ask any question. Also enjoyed the unlimited rides pass! Read more Written April 9, 2024
• Wadi R 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Get your own day pass from Muni If I had known I would have bought my day pass direct from Muni Mobile. That's really all this tour gives you. Customer service consists of long text messages. I tried to call twice but went straight to voicemail. When I finally figured out how to listen to the audio guide it was impossible to hear even with the suggested head phones. Save your money. Get your own day pass from Muni Read more Written April 7, 2024
• Natalie D 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Do not book this experience The touroperator didn´t send the promised e tickets in advance. At the meetingpoint nobody could help us, nor in the station, nor the cable car drivers. Were nearly too late for next excursion. Terrible experience and that in the pooring rain. Read more Written April 5, 2024
• 9Linda 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Cable cars San Francisco We paid for 24 hours and when we got a taxi to the start at Powell Street we’re told only one line working and we would have to get a free shuttle bus. The queues were long. We had no notification to advise only one line working, otherwise would have paid for one journey Read more Written March 14, 2024
• Matt C 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Cable car tour I want to San Francisco yesterday and purchased the cable car tour. I was able to get my tickets and a great commentary all the way to Fishermans Wharf. It was so simple and so easy. Thanks. Read more Written January 14, 2024
• news658900 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Nice tour Enjoyed the tour, but lines can be long. Audio is nice though, make sure to get off at the cable car musuem Read more Written January 2, 2024
• m0eids 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Not a real tour The add is misleading. You only pay for an audio. After you pay they will text you and tell you that you still have to pay if you want a ride. Read more Written December 5, 2023
• leolanip 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles We took a $69 loss We did not go. We paid $69 thinking we could do a step on/off tour. When we got to the ticket counter to confirm our information she said we could not get off and on, we had one ride passes. $69 for one ride!!!! I was disappointed. Then while there we couldn’t talk with the worker because the area is filled with homeless/ and those with mental health issues. Long story short, we never got in any cable car because we couldn’t get adequate information. We took a $69 loss. ☹️ Read more Written November 1, 2023
• Starskey63 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Poor app and long slow moving lines at line ends Long queues/lines, very slow to move. The Pin tours app and on line payment app not great and unnecessary. Easiest to walk 1-2 stops from end of run and get on there - no queues and can pay the $13 fare on board easily in cash. Read more Written August 26, 2023
• mccdzyne 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles A San Fran Tourist must do Did the trad cable car ride up hyde- powell street - $ 8.00 bucks one way- catch at bottom of Mason street at the bottom turnaround . Worth the nostalgic ride in an ancient icon or mode of San Fran public transport. Queues start bout 11.00am onwards, get there earlier. 1st stop is the infamous Lombard street switchbacjs , worth a look. Ride is totally worth it Read more Written August 24, 2023
• DoReMiFas 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Cute cable cars Apart from the fact that we chose the super busy summer season as well as selecting a weekend day for our cable car trip that meant 90 minutes in a queue at the end of Powell St at the turnaround waiting for our turn to ride the car, the cable car ride was well worth it! What a fantastic way to travel the hills of San Francisco in such an iconic vehicle - so much fun! We enjoyed our first ride so much that we managed to travel by cable car a few more times in our three day stay from different points and times and also on different lines. A must do for sure! Read more Written August 21, 2023
• 184petarg 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Poor Very poor communication and experience, I have requested a full refund because of it. Highly recommend not to purchase it. Read more Written August 19, 2023
• Mona D 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Girl trip San Francisco It was not working so we only got to ride to one spot .could not get on off cause cable cars was having issues was worth 30 dollars Read more Written August 5, 2023
• Joanne K 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Very Confusing & Frustrating “Cable Car” Tour It was extremely unclear as to how the tour narrative was going to be delivered, where and what cable car to take, and the ticket download given in the early morning on the day of. We missed the narrative being that we didn’t have earphones to use. Very confusing and frustrating. However, the ride was nice but we didn’t benefit from a narrative tour. Read more Written August 1, 2023
• Mattkur 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Must do We rode the cable cars down to the pier . Using the iPhone maps it will tell you where and when to expect the next cable cars. Read more Written July 23, 2023

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Alcatraz Tour provided by Pintours

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News Release

Alcatraz island celebrates 50 years of public tours.

SAN FRANCISCO —The National Park Service (NPS), Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and Alcatraz City Cruises jointly hosted an event Oct. 24 to recognize the 50th anniversary of the first public tour of Alcatraz Island. Special guests joined staff to celebrate the occasion and recount the island’s storied history that draws more than a million visitors each year.  Alcatraz is one of the most iconic former prisons in the world and has been a top destination for people traveling to San Francisco. Most known for its role as a federal penitentiary in the first half of the 20th century, the island was previously a military fort and then prison and much later the site of a Native American civil rights protest.  “People come to the island with a certain expectation for what they’re going to see,” said Christian Davis, park ranger and site supervisor for Alcatraz. “They leave with the understanding that Alcatraz is much more than just an island — it’s a site where transformative thinking and lived experiences relate to themes of incarceration, justice and our common humanity. Beyond that, it’s been a sanctuary for wildlife since time immemorial.”  When the island first opened to the public on Oct. 26, 1973, the prison had barely been closed for a decade. As a result, in telling the stories of Alcatraz, the NPS and its partners at the Parks Conservancy and Alcatraz City Cruises have been able to work closely with individuals whose personal history is closely tied to the island. Formerly incarcerated people, former prison staff and their families, and those involved with the 1969-1971 Native American occupation of Alcatraz have all told their stories to island visitors.  “Alcatraz Island is a site rich with history," said Nicki Phelps, vice president of visitors programs for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and recipient of the 2022 NPS James V. Murfin Award . “Over the last three decades and together with the National Park Service, beginning with the creation of the Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour, I’ve had the privilege of helping to share stories and spotlight the voices of people who have helped shape the island throughout its many different eras. We can’t wait to continue that work in the next 50."  In addition to the outside influence of voices critical to telling the entire history of the island, the three organizations have worked together to reach visitors in a variety of innovative ways. The multi-lingual and award-winning audio tour, “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour,” which was first developed in 1987, allows people to see the different parts of the island at their own pace in an immersive and thought-provoking experience. In February 1995, Alcatraz became the first national park site to have a website, which is still online today.  More recently, a 900 sq. ft. permanent exhibit called The Big Lockup was created in 2021 for visitors to learn more about the history of mass incarceration in the United States and its associated implications for social justice. It follows many earlier temporary exhibits including @Large (2015), an art project by Ai Weiwei about human rights and freedom of expression, and Future IDs (2019), which featured artist-inspired ID cards created by formerly incarcerated individuals. Red Power on Alcatraz, Perspectives 50 Years Later (2019) followed special programming on the island to recognize the 50th anniversary of the 1969 occupation and remains on display.  “Alcatraz Island is a national park site that more Bay Area locals need to enjoy,” said Michael Badolato, director of sales and marketing for Alcatraz City Cruises. “On behalf of the National Park Service, Alcatraz City Cruises proudly provides numerous opportunities for local school children, youths, community groups, and other educational groups to enjoy Alcatraz Island and our educational Bay Discovery Cruise at reduced or no cost.”  For the millions who have visited Alcatraz, there are many more who have yet to witness the compelling sights, sounds and stories it has to offer. For many years, the NPS, Parks Conservancy and Alcatraz City Cruises have been committed to welcoming visitors from all backgrounds to experience the island. Whether travelling from another country or just across the San Francisco Bay, the island has something special to offer to every person.  

Last updated: November 2, 2023

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