Alcatraz at a glance
Alcatraz sits in San Francisco Bay, a short ferry ride from the city. You cannot walk or kayak onto the island. A visit means a ferry ticket, a landing and a self-guided tour of the cell house with an audio guide. The audio tour is also available in German.
A ticket covers the round-trip ferry and the audio tour. There is no separate entry fee on top. According to the National Park Service, Alcatraz City Cruises is the only operator authorized to run the passenger ferry with a landing. A national park pass does not make the ferry ticket free.
Closure from October 26 to November 18, 2026
Check this before you plan around late October or early November.
What is announced
The island closes from October 26, 2026, while dock piles are replaced. All island tours from October 26 to November 18, 2026 are cancelled. Work is expected to end on November 18, and the island is expected to reopen on November 19, 2026. Weather can change this schedule.
If you already booked
The ferry operator states that bookings made directly with it are refunded automatically to the original payment method. Processing takes 5 to 7 business days. If you booked through a third party, ask that seller.
A boat trip without landing
For October 26 to November 1, 2026, the operator advertises a 90-minute Bay Discovery Cruise that does not land on the island. See our bay cruise guide for other ways to see the island from the water.
Our picks: Alcatraz tours
Two packages that include Alcatraz entry and the return ferry.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Alcatraz visit with a separate bay cruise
Alcatraz entry, the return ferry from Pier 33 and an audio tour, plus a separate bay cruise. There is no guide; food and tips are extra.
Check availability →
Alcatraz and open-top city tour
Alcatraz entry, the return ferry and an audio guide, plus a panoramic city tour on an open-top bus. Food, drinks and tips are not included.
Check availability →Alcatraz tickets and tours
Ferry tickets, combined packages with a bay cruise and city tours that include the island, with live prices and availability.
Alcatraz ticket prices in 2026
Published prices by age. A price list does not show free seats on your day.
| Tour | Under 5 | Ages 5–11 | Ages 12–17 | Adults 18+ | Seniors 62+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Tour | $0 | $29.15 | $47.95 | $47.95 | $45.15 |
| Night Tour | $0 | $34.85 | $58.35 | $59.65 | $55.25 |
| Behind the Scenes | Not admitted | Not admitted | $100.35 | $104.65 | $97.25 |
The Behind the Scenes tour includes the Night Tour. Prices are published rates for 2026, not checkout totals.
How to book Alcatraz tickets
The tickets sell out well before the date.
Book early
Tickets go on sale up to 90 days ahead. The operator warns that tours are often sold out a week or more in advance. Do not count on getting a ticket on the same day.
Day or night
The Day Tour is the standard visit. The Night Tour costs more than the Day Tour. Behind the Scenes costs the most, includes the Night Tour and is only for ages 12 and up.
Where to go
Ferries leave from Pier 33 at Alcatraz Landing in San Francisco. The pier does not process cash, so pay by card. There is no luggage storage at the pier.
What to bring
Every adult needs a valid photo ID, and every guest needs a ticket. The operator asks you to arrive 45 minutes before departure.
Combining Alcatraz with the Golden Gate Bridge
Alcatraz and the bridge fit into one day if you plan the order. The island visit takes 4 to 5 hours with the ferry, so book the earliest slot you can get and keep the bridge for the afternoon. Walking the span is free. Our walking guide lists the sidewalk hours for 2026.
Some packages bundle the island with a bay cruise or a city tour. Read what each one includes before you buy, in particular whether the island landing is part of it. A normal bay cruise does not land on Alcatraz. Only the authorized island ferry lands visitors. Other ways to see the bridge are in the tour comparison.
Good viewpoints on the bridge itself are in the viewpoints guide. If you want a quiet half day after the island, the ferry town of Sausalito is across the bay.
Plan the rest of your trip
More places around the bay.
Alcatraz: frequently asked questions
Is Alcatraz open in November 2026?
Not at the start of the month. Island tours are cancelled from October 26 to November 18, 2026. The island is expected to reopen on November 19, 2026, but weather can move that date. Check the operator's current notice before you buy.
How much is an Alcatraz ticket?
The published 2026 adult price is $47.95 for the Day Tour and $59.65 for the Night Tour. Children aged 5 to 11 pay $29.15 for the day tour, and children under 5 are free. Seniors aged 62 and over pay $45.15.
How far ahead should I book?
Tickets go on sale up to 90 days ahead, and tours are often sold out a week or more in advance. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Can I use a national park pass for the ferry?
No. A pass does not make the ferry ticket free. There is no separate entry fee, but you need the ferry ticket.
What do I need to bring?
A valid photo ID for every adult, your ticket and a card for payment, since cash is not processed at the pier. Arrive 45 minutes before departure. There is no luggage storage.
Does a bay cruise stop at Alcatraz?
No. A standard bay cruise passes the island but does not land. Only the authorized ferry lands visitors on the island.