San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus + Bay Cruise & Alcatraz Combo

KTLY790524

San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus + Bay Cruise & Alcatraz Combo, photo 3

San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus + Bay Cruise & Alcatraz Combo, photo 4

California, USA

Audio Guide

English, German, Spanish, Japanese, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, Portuguese, Korean

Non-refundable

This ticket cannot be cancelled and is non-refundable

About this tour

This combo pairs a 24-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass with a 1-hour Red & White Bay cruise, so you can cover San Francisco by road and water on one ticket. The Red Route bus takes you to the big sights, with onboard audio commentary in several languages and free headphones. The cruise sails for an hour across the bay past the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Your pass also throws in a Chinatown digital walking tour, a 60-minute sunset tour, and a bike rental deal. Use the mobile app to track buses in real time and plan your day.

Audio Guide Languages

English German Spanish Japanese French Italian Russian Arabic Hindi Chinese Portuguese Korean

Highlights

Cruise the bay past Alcatraz Island with wide views across San Francisco Bay
Ride the Red Route hop-on hop-off bus to the city's main sights for 24 hours
Onboard audio commentary in multiple languages with free headphones
1-hour Red & White Bay cruise past the Golden Gate Bridge
Extras included: Chinatown digital walking tour, a sunset tour, and a bike rental deal
See Alcatraz, the federal prison that held names like Al Capone from 1934 to 1963
Spot the island's seabird colonies and old prison-era gardens from the water

Places You Will Visit

Open map

Alcatraz Island California, USA 7 tours & tickets

Included / Excluded

24-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
Access to the Red Route
Access to Red Route
1-hour Chinatown digital walking tour
60-minute sunset tour
60-min sunset tour
Bike rental offer: book 1 hour, get 1 free
Onboard bus audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Korean
Audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese & Korean (on the bus)
Complimentary headphones
Mobile app with detailed map and live bus tracking
Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
1-hour Red & White Bay cruise
Cruise audio guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Thai, Hindi, Italian, Hebrew, Vietnamese, Arabic and Bahasa Indonesia
Audio guide in English, Español, Français, Deutsch, Português, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Thai, Hindi, Italian, Hebrew, Vietnamese, Arabic & Bahasa Indonesian
Air conditioning onboard
AC onboard
Heated indoor seating
Heated indoors

Good to Know: Alcatraz Ferry, Hours and Getting There

Alcatraz Island sits in San Francisco Bay and can only be reached by ferry from Pier 33 on the Embarcadero. Ferries run every 30 to 40 minutes for both day and night tours. The first boat usually leaves around 08:20, sailings continue through the morning and early afternoon, and the final departure to the island is typically mid-afternoon (earlier in winter). Return ferries run continuously, so you can leave the island whenever suits you. Night tours operate on selected days with their own evening sailings.

Pier 33 is easy to reach by public transit: several Muni bus lines and the F-line streetcar stop nearby. If you drive, there are garages close by, though parking is tight in peak season. Once on the island, plan on about two to three hours, roughly half a day including the crossing each way. The walk from the dock up to the Cellhouse is uphill and steep in places, so comfortable shoes help. The island is open year-round except Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Thanksgiving. Visiting hours run 09:00 to 18:30 Sunday and Monday, and 09:00 to 21:30 Tuesday through Saturday.

Available Days / Times

Monday : 11:00, 14:15, 15:30, 16:45
Tuesday : 11:00, 14:15, 15:30, 16:45
Wednesday : 11:00, 14:15, 15:30, 16:45
Thursday : 11:00, 14:15, 15:30
Friday : 11:00, 14:15, 15:30
Saturday : 11:00, 14:15, 15:00, 16:45
Sunday : 11:00, 14:15, 15:00, 16:45

Last updated: Oct 22, 2026

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Important Information

Capacity is limited and tickets sell out fast, so book ahead, especially in peak months
Alcatraz is reached only by ferry from Pier 33; arrive 30 to 45 minutes before boarding
Your booking time is the outbound ferry; return ferries run often for flexible timing
Round-trip ferry and the official Cellhouse audio guide are typically bundled in
Day visits allow more outdoor exploring; night tours add ranger talks and select spaces
Some paths are steep; tram assistance is available on certain routes for limited mobility
Many visitors pair Alcatraz with a bay cruise, city tour, or Sausalito and Muir Woods
Food service is limited; 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 all day; check posted schedules on arrival
Bay weather shifts fast; bring layers, a windproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes
Airport-style screening applies before boarding; large bags and restricted items aren't allowed
Stay on marked paths and don't touch or damage any structures
Follow instructions from park rangers and tour guides
No smoking anywhere on the island
Drones are prohibited
Photography is fine, but flash is banned in certain areas

FAQs

How do I book tickets for this San Francisco combo?

You can reserve online through our platform. Because capacity is limited and demand is high, booking ahead is the best way to lock in your preferred departure.

How long is the ferry ride to Alcatraz Island?

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

Are there restrooms on Alcatraz Island?

Yes. Restrooms are located near the dock and close to the Cellhouse area.

Can I bring food and drinks to Alcatraz Island?

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

Is Alcatraz Island accessible for people with disabilities?

The ferry and many main areas are accessible, and a tram helps visitors up the steep hill. Some historic sections still have stairs and uneven ground.

When is the best time to visit Alcatraz?

Spring and fall bring milder weather and thinner crowds. Early morning sailings are usually quietest, while evening visits feel more atmospheric.

Is there a guided tour on Alcatraz Island?

Most tickets include the self-guided Cellhouse audio tour narrated by former inmates and guards. Ranger-led talks also run throughout the day when available.

What was Alcatraz used for before it became a federal prison?

Before the federal penitentiary opened in 1934, Alcatraz served as a military fort and later a military prison. The cold currents around the island gave it a reputation as nearly impossible to escape.

What can you see inside the Alcatraz cellhouse?

The cellhouse audio tour walks you through the cell blocks, dining hall, and solitary confinement cells, and tells the stories of the handful of escape attempts. It's narrated partly by former guards and inmates.

Does Alcatraz cover more than its prison history?

Yes. The island also has exhibits on its military past and the remains of buildings from the Native American occupation of 1969 to 1971, which is covered on site as part of its story.