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Historic site · San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, California

Alcatraz Island

A former fort, military prison and federal penitentiary on an island in San Francisco Bay, reached by ferry.

Why go

Alcatraz Island is an island in San Francisco Bay within the city of San Francisco, managed by the National Park Service as part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Park Service's page, read on 3 October 2026, says the small island was once a fort, a military prison and a maximum security federal penitentiary. Its fees page says a ticket for ferry transportation by Alcatraz City Cruises is required to visit, and that Alcatraz City Cruises is the only NPS-authorised ferry provider to the island. Check the Park Service and ferry operator for current reservations and timed entry.

Getting here

How to get to Alcatraz Island

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Vehicle

Vehicle suitability unknown

We have not verified what this approach needs. That is a gap in our research rather than a statement that any car will do, so check locally before committing to a hire car.

Road last checked 2026-10-03.

A description of the road, not an assurance about your trip. Conditions change with weather and season.

Ways to book this trip

Products that genuinely visit this place and can be used from where you are starting. Booking happens on the provider's own site.

  • Guided tour · skygate

    Official Alcatraz Island Admission Ticket + Audio Tour with Roundtrip Ferry by Alcatraz City Cruises

    Alcatraz Island admission with the round-trip Alcatraz City Cruises ferry from Pier 33 and the Cellhouse audio tour, with day, night and behind-the-scenes options. Options differ; check what your chosen option includes on SkyGate.

    View tour

  • Guided tour · skygate

    Alcatraz Island Ticket with 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off & Night Bus Tour

    A bundle of Alcatraz Island admission with return ferry and audio tour, a two-day Skyline Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus pass and an evening bus tour. Tickets must be reconfirmed online with Skyline before the Alcatraz date, per the voucher.

    View tour

Related guides

  • Alcatraz tickets and San Francisco Bay cruises

    Two products on SkyGate put you on Alcatraz Island, and three Red and White Fleet cruises only sail around it. This guide separates landing from sightseeing and compares the options inside each product.

Ways to visit

Trips that visit this place

Bookable experiences that include it.

Official Alcatraz Island Admission Ticket + Audio Tour with Roundtrip Ferry by Alcatraz City Cruises

Alcatraz Island admission with the round-trip Alcatraz City Cruises ferry from Pier 33 and the Cellhouse audio tour, with day, night and behind-the-scenes options. Options differ; check what your chosen option includes on SkyGate.

Alcatraz Island Ticket with 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off & Night Bus Tour

A bundle of Alcatraz Island admission with return ferry and audio tour, a two-day Skyline Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus pass and an evening bus tour. Tickets must be reconfirmed online with Skyline before the Alcatraz date, per the voucher.