Alcatraz Night Tour with Audio Guide + Bay Cruise

KTLY236777

Alcatraz Night Tour with Audio Guide + Bay Cruise, photo 3

Alcatraz Night Tour with Audio Guide + Bay Cruise, photo 4

California, USA

Non-refundable

This ticket cannot be cancelled and is non-refundable

About this tour

This evening trip takes you across San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island, the former federal prison. You'll board a ferry at Pier 33 and follow a special route around the island, with the Golden Gate Bridge lit up at sunset. On the island, a multilingual audio guide narrated by former inmates and guards walks you through the cellblocks, there's a cell-door demonstration, and you can browse the exhibits. Your ticket also comes with a 1-hour San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruise, usable on any day before or after your Alcatraz visit.

Highlights

Ferry across San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island, with views over the water.
Walk the cellblocks and hear the stories of inmates like Al Capone.
Follow the award-winning audio tour narrated by former inmates and guards.
See the island's seabird colonies and old prison-era gardens.
Take in the mood of the former federal prison after dark.
Watch the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset on the evening route around the island.
Learn how the cold bay currents earned Alcatraz its escape-proof reputation.

Places You Will Visit

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Alcatraz Island California, USA 7 tours & tickets

Included / Excluded

Admission to Alcatraz
Audio guide
1-hour San Francisco Bay cruise
1-hour cruise
Round-trip ferry
Roundtrip ferry

Getting There and Planning Your Visit

Alcatraz can only be reached by ferry, and every boat leaves from Pier 33 on the Embarcadero. Your booking time is for the outbound sailing, so give yourself a buffer and get to the pier early rather than cutting it close. Pier 33 is easy to reach on public transit, with several Muni bus lines and the F-line streetcar stopping nearby. Driving is possible, but garage parking around the waterfront is limited and fills up fast in high season. The crossing itself is short, roughly 15 to 20 minutes, and on this evening route you'll pass the Golden Gate Bridge as the light fades.

Once you dock, the walk up to the cellhouse is steep and there's a fair amount of ground to cover, so wear comfortable shoes. The bay turns cold and windy quickly, often while the city stays warm, so bring a jacket or an extra layer even on a nice day. The island is open year-round apart from Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Thanksgiving, with visiting hours running later on this night program than on a standard daytime visit. Return ferries run regularly, so you can take your time on the island and head back when you're ready.

Available Days / Times

Monday
Tuesday : 15:50, 16:45
Wednesday : 15:50, 16:45
Thursday : 15:50, 16:45, 17:55, 18:30, 19:05
Friday : 15:50, 16:45, 17:55, 18:30, 19:05
Saturday : 15:50, 16:45, 17:55, 18:30, 19:05
Sunday

Last updated: Oct 22, 2026

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Important Information

Daily capacity is limited and tickets sell out fast, so book ahead, especially in peak season.
The island is reachable only by ferry from Pier 33; arrive 30 to 45 minutes before boarding.
Your booking time is for the outbound ferry; return ferries run often, so you're not fixed to one time back.
If you do both tours on the same day, take the Bay Cruise before your Alcatraz visit; otherwise use it any other time per schedule.
Night visits include ranger talks and extra storytelling after sunset.
Some paths are steep; tram assistance is available on certain routes for visitors with mobility concerns.
Food service is minimal; snacks and bottled drinks are sold, but eating is allowed only in picnic areas near the dock.
Restrooms are near the dock and close to the cellhouse.
Ranger talks and exhibits run throughout the visit; check the posted schedule on arrival.
Bay weather shifts fast; bring layers and a windproof jacket, and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Airport-style screening applies before boarding; large bags and restricted items are not allowed.
Stay on marked paths and do not touch or damage any of the structures.
Follow the instructions of park rangers and staff.
No smoking anywhere on the island.
Drones are not permitted.
Photography is allowed, but no flash in certain areas.

FAQs

How do I book tickets for this Alcatraz night tour?

You can reserve online right here. Capacity is capped and sailings sell out well ahead, especially in summer and on weekends, so booking early is the surest way to lock in the departure you want.

How long is the ferry ride to Alcatraz?

The crossing from Pier 33 to the island runs about 15 to 20 minutes, with views across San Francisco Bay along the way.

Are there restrooms on Alcatraz Island?

Yes. You'll find restrooms near the dock and over by the cellhouse, so it's worth planning a stop before you head up the hill.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Bottled water is fine anywhere on the island, but snacks can only be eaten in the designated picnic areas near the dock. No food or drink is allowed inside the cellhouse.

Is the island accessible for visitors with mobility needs?

The ferry and many of the main areas are accessible, and a tram helps visitors up the steep climb from the dock. Some older sections still have stairs and uneven ground.

What's included with my ticket?

Round-trip ferry from Pier 33, admission to Alcatraz, and the cellhouse audio guide are all included. Your ticket also covers a separate 1-hour San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruise.

Does the audio guide come in other languages?

Yes, the cellhouse audio tour is multilingual and is narrated partly by people who actually lived and worked on the island, former inmates and guards.

Why is Alcatraz so famous?

It ran as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963 and held names like Al Capone and Robert Stroud. The cold bay currents around it gave it a reputation as almost impossible to escape.

Was Alcatraz always a prison?

No. Before the federal penitentiary opened in 1934, the island served as a military fort and later a military prison.

Is there anything to see besides the cellhouse?

Yes. There are seabird colonies, gardens left from the prison era, and the remains of buildings from the Native American occupation of 1969 to 1971, which the island covers as part of its story.