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Explore at your pace
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Audio guide
4.2/5
(33)
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Set sail from San Francisco’s Pier 33 and enjoy a breezy ferry ride across the Bay, with sweeping views of the city skyline and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
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Your destination, Alcatraz Island, was once home to America’s most infamous criminals, including Al Capone and “Machine Gun” Kelly.
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Explore the infamous prison at your own pace, with a self-guided multilingual audio guide. Listen to first-hand accounts and gripping tales narrated by former inmates and guards.
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Step into the original cell house, walk through the same corridors that criminals once did, visit the recreational yard, and explore the exhibits in the New Industries Building.
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Round-trip ferry to Alcatraz Island
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Admission to Alcatraz ($45)
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Downloadable audio guide in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Korean
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Live guide
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Food and beverages
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You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
How do we collect reviews?
John
Sep, 2025Verified booking
We had a great day at Alcatraz. Upon arriving at the pier to catch the ferry, every person associated with the tour were friendly and professional. The ride to the prison was enjoyable and offered great views of the San Francisco Bay area. Once we set foot on the island we were given a short walking tour that set the tone for the rest of the day. Moving from space to space with the headphones gave a true insight of the hardships and daily grind of the prisoners life at the prison. My wife and I thought this adventure to Alcatraz was a highlight of our trip and recommend it highly.Peter
Aug, 2025Verified booking
The audio tour was good. With a group of theee it was hard dor all of us to stay on the same spot of the tour. If one of the group paused the tour audio them the other part of the group would walk away. Overall the history was amazing. One suggestion would be to watch The Birman of Alcatraz on Prime before visiting. Purchasing the tour on Headout was flawless. Once booking the tour there was great communication and follow-up. Very easy to park at 80 Francisco St parking garage and a 4 minute walk to the boat. No waiting at the ticket office just walk to the boarding queue. Off load and return trip were just as easy. Overall a great day with our 12 year old grandson.Stephanie
Aug, 2025Verified booking
Our Alcatraz experience was very positive. The trip was extremely organized and the staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. I'd recommend this to everyone travelling to SF.Julia
Jul, 2025Verified booking
We really enjoyed the audio guide with its interesting historyLeana
Jul, 2025Verified booking
the trip was great and the guided tour very nice. my guests had a fantastic time. cold
**Your Experience (Summary)**Getting started
Begin your journey at Pier 33, where you’ll exchange your mobile voucher for a paper ticket at the desk. Board the ferry to Alcatraz Island and prepare for your self-guided exploration using the app.
What to expect
Alcatraz Island, once home to the notorious federal prison, stands as a symbol of American history in San Francisco Bay. The site is renowned for its storied past, dramatic escapes, and unique location just offshore from the city.
Features
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Ferry Ride across San Francisco Bay: Enjoy a direct ferry transfer from Pier 33, offering panoramic views of the city skyline and the bay’s landmarks.
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Self-guided app tour: Use the included app to navigate the island and learn about Alcatraz’s history, infamous inmates, and daily life inside the prison.
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Historic cellhouse: Walk through the preserved cellhouse, where you can see original cells and hear stories of legendary escape attempts.
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Flexible visit duration: Stay on Alcatraz Island as long as you wish during operating hours, allowing you to explore at your own pace.
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What to bring
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Bottled water
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A light snack (to eat in designated areas only)
What’s not allowed
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Large bags, luggage, and oversized backpacks
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Food and beverages (except bottled water)
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Weapons
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Skateboards and “wheelie” shoes
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Feeding wildlife on the island
Accessibility
- The ferry and the island are wheelchair-accessible.
Additional information
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You can stay on the island for as long as you like.
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Wear layered clothing and comfortable shoes
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.
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Please arrive at the boarding point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your cruise to avoid any delays.
Boarding point
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Board your cruise at Pier 33.
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Address: San Francisco, CA 94133, USA.
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