Alcatraz Island: Tickets & Why No Pass Includes It
2.5 - 3 h (including ferry)
Former Federal Prison / National Park
Fortress 1854; federal prison 1934-1963
Pier 33, San Francisco, CA, USA (departure point)
Planning to visit Alcatraz Island?
Compare ticket and city-pass options for this attraction.
Practical Visitor Info & Tips
$47.95
$45.15 (Senior 62+) / $29.15 (Child 5-11)
Check the official site for current daily departure times.
Advance booking essential — tickets release 90 days ahead and sell out weeks or months in advance in peak season.
Round-trip ferry from Pier 33 aboard Alcatraz City Cruises (the only NPS-authorized operator), admission to the island, and the "Doing Time" cellhouse audio tour narrated by former inmates and guards.
| Option | Price | Booking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult, Day Tour | $47.95 | Book 90 days ahead | |
| Senior (62+) | $45.15 | Book 90 days ahead | |
| Child (5-11) | $29.15 | Book 90 days ahead | |
| With San Francisco CityPASS | Not included | Separate "+Alcatraz" bundle only | |
| With Go City San Francisco | Not included | N/A |
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Ticket Options
$47.95
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & History
Alcatraz Island, once home to the notorious federal penitentiary, sits in San Francisco Bay and is now a National Park Service site. Alcatraz City Cruises is the sole NPS-authorized operator running the round-trip ferry and island admission.
What to See: Top Highlights
The Cellhouse
The main prison building, toured via the award-winning "Doing Time" audio guide narrated by former inmates and guards.
The Ferry Ride
A scenic round-trip crossing from Pier 33, with views of the bridge, skyline, and the island itself.
The Gardens & Grounds
Restored historic gardens and outdoor areas, with sweeping views back toward the city.
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Location & Google Maps
Is This Covered by a San Francisco Pass?
Compare San Francisco PassesNo — Alcatraz Island is confirmed excluded from both San Francisco CityPASS and Go City San Francisco. CityPASS sells a separate, pricier "+Alcatraz" bundle instead; Go City's own attraction list doesn't mention real island admission at all.
San Francisco CityPASS
Not included. Confirmed absent from the base CityPASS — only available via a separate, pricier "+Alcatraz" bundle product.
Go City San Francisco — All-Inclusive Pass
Not included. Real Alcatraz Island admission is not mentioned anywhere on Go City's own published San Francisco attractions list — a genuine exclusion, not a research gap.
Data Provenance
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SponsoredProvided by our commercial partner GetYourGuide — bookings made through this section may earn LocalExperiences a commission. See our Editorial Transparency page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alcatraz Island included with San Francisco CityPASS?
Is Alcatraz Island included with Go City San Francisco?
How far ahead should I book?
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