How To Visit Alcatraz Island: What They Don't Tell You

Alcatraz is a must do in San Francisco, but visiting can be easier said than done. It’s not like you can simply walk there, you have to book a timed cruise ship ticket and it ends up being a half day affair.

I’ll go over all the logistics of how to visit Alcatraz Island, from the obvious to the more obscure details of planning your day there. This way you can be fully prepared and know exactly what you’re getting in to!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

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Logistics: How To Visit Alcatraz Island

The Only Way To Get There: Alcatraz City Cruises

Watch out, there are many websites selling San Francisco Alcatraz cruise tickets. I don’t know if they’re a scam or not but I did notice they are more expensive than the actual site. The main cruise company is Alcatraz City Cruises, and you’ll want to book directly through their website.

The exception to the rule is if you want to book an organized combination tour. For example, this tour with Viator takes you to both the Muir Woods and Alcatraz (with one or two day tour options!).

If you’re travelling during high season, book your Alcatraz tour tickets as much in advance as possible. The website updates the tickets remaining so you can easily keep an eye on current availability.

a boat comes from across a body of water, the pacific ocean. You can see a bit of the San Francisco skyline all the way in the distance as the boat nears Alcatraz Island on the left. Below the boat are a bunch of green bushes, with a ruined house next to it, without any roof or windows. It's a very gloomy day, with an overcast sky and a blueish tint to the image.

When To Book Your Departure Time From San Francisco?

All Alcatraz tour cruises leaves from Pier 33 every 30 to 40 minutes. The first cruise departs at 8:40 A.M. and the last cruise is at 3:50 P.M. (the times can vary based on season).

The first Alcatraz San Francisco cruise of the day will in theory be the least crowded time to visit the Island, because no one else is there yet. But I noticed it had the least remaining tickets available… and the cruise can fit about 300 people. So there’s going to be people there regardless of what time you book.

With that in mind, I recommend booking the time that works best for you (and planning how you spend your time on the island better… but more on that in a bit!).

I booked the 9:40 A.M. departure time and it never felt overly crowded. I chose that departure time because it was convenient for my schedule, but it also had the most tickets remaining! That meant I was arriving on the island with the fewest number of people possible.

There’s also a lot of space on the island. So even if there are over 300 people on the Island, it never felt too over crowded.

Pro tip: you don’t have to book a return time for the San Francisco Alcatraz cruise. Return cruises leaves every 30 minutes or so. They show you the return schedule when you leave the boat, so be sure to take a photo of it.

closeup view of a hand holding an audio guide, it looks like an old cellphone with numbers and a screen. The screen shows an image of a sign that says tour starts here and a banner with the title: introduction underneath. Blurred in the background are the cellhouses of alcatraz prison.

How Much Time Do You Need To Visit Alcatraz?

Alcatraz City Cruises says most people spend about 2.5 to 3 hours including both boat rides, and time on the island. I booked the 9:40 A.M. departure, and I was back back in San Francisco at around 12:15 P.M., which is exactly 2.5 hours.

It seems like there’s a lot to do on the Island that’s included in your ticket but there are really only two things you need to do: visit the Lighthouse (to see the view), and the cell house audio tour. I did have time to walk around the rest of the Island and pass by some other points of interest on the way (like the Warden’s House ruins).

I didn’t have time to listen to the additional talks that take place in the cell house every hour. These are hard to plan in advance though because they only provide the subject and the time of the talk once you arrive on the island.

There is also an Occupation of Alcatraz by Indians of All Tribes Exhibit… this had to be the most upsetting exhibit I’d ever seen. It was hidden away in the back of a building in the smallest possible room… so although I think it’s an important time in history to learn about, there isn’t really a point in coming here until they do the exhibit justice.

a vertical image of the buildings on alcatraz island from the cruise ship. There's a bit of water on the bottom of the image before reaching the rock, or the island. There are four separate ruined grey buildings, but the top three all meld into one. The noticeable difference is the concrete lighthouse towering above the others. There is a rock wall with some green bushes going up the hill on the island on the left side. The sky is completely overcast with clouds casting a greyish blue hue over the photo.

Bring Food – There’s No Food On The Island

Something else to keep in mind is that there is no food on the island, and you’ll be there for quite a bit of time. You’ll notice that when you buy your Alcatraz tour tickets (if you buy through City Cruises), you have the option to add snacks, and I thought this was quite odd.

But as it turns out, there’s no food sold on the Island and they don’t want you eating on the Island. To make up for that, there are two small cafes on the cruise selling simple snacks, even sandwiches, and drinks. This will be your only chance to purchase food your entire time on Alcatraz… unless you plan in advance…

I always need to know where my next meal is coming from. I also didn’t want to have to leave Alcatraz early because I was hungry (I was knew I’d be there pretty close to lunch time), so I came prepared. I bought some food at a cafe in Fisherman’s Wharf on the way and packed some granola bars to have with me.

Just be sure to be respectful if you end up needed to eat while on the Island. Bring an extra bag for your garbage, or pack it away in a pocket or bag to take back with you on the cruise.

You’ll also want to bring a refillable water bottle because there are water fountains on the island to refill. P.S. My go to is my Thermoflask.

on the cruise there is a small cafe, there's a man standing behind the counter, and a lineup. On the left is a tv screen with the snack bar menu on it.

How To Dress For a Trip To Alcatraz San Francisco

The weather can be different than what it was in San Francisco, and it change quickly. The key is to dress in layers… many layers.

I’m always cold so I made sure to dress even warmer than I normally would have, and I was perfect. I was able to sit out on the boat ride across the bay (even as it was raining) and walk around outside on the island. The Alcatraz tour inside the penitentiary isn’t exactly warm either, so I never overheated in my many layers.

I visited in March, but San Francisco weather is pretty consistent all year round. I wore thin merino wool base layers (both a sweater and leggings – like this set on Amazon). Then I had polar fleece sweater, a puffer jacket, and a jean jacket to top it all off. I also was very happy to have my hat and scarf with me too. I could have even had gloves, but I forgot to pack them.

a woman walks forward in the cellblock of alcatraz. There are jail cells on either side of the hallway, and there are three levels . the ceiling has sun roofs letting in some much needed light to the cell block.

Pro Tip: Properly Plan Your Time on the Island

As I said, there are two main things you have to do on Alcatraz Island: the Cell House Alcatraz Tour and the lighthouse and viewpoint.

I noticed most people heading to the penitentiary after orientation on the island, I suggest doing the exact opposite…

Visit The Lighthouse & View First

I recommend visiting the lighthouse when you first arrive on Alcatraz.

The idea is to separate as much as possible from the initial cruise crowd that can be up to 300 people. You will still be around people, but it should hopefully be less. Especially when you actually start the cell house tour, you shouldn’t be behind any large crowds.

The view looking up the rock wall on alcatraz. There's a white painted brick building on the right, further up the hill is a ruined building, and you can see a small bit of the concrete lighthouse. The sky is overcast, but you can slightly see blue skies behind the cloud and there's a seagull flying across.

At the lighthouse you’ll get gorgeous panoramic view of the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Keep in mind, this is San Francisco how much you see will depend on the weather – and can change – quickly.

Which is another reason to go to the viewpoint first. The weather can always change for better or worse. So by going to the view first, this gives you two chances to see it, or to even see it under different light.

Of course, this plan will all depend on the weather when you arrive on the island, but unless it’s pouring rain, I recommend this schedule for visiting Alcatraz San Francisco.

a slightly foggy skyline view of san francisco but there's some sun peaking through adding some yellow and brightiness. It's across the bay from alcatraz island.

Is Visiting Alcatraz Even Worth It?

I was a bit sceptical visiting Alcatraz. It was the combination of the boat ride, the fact that it’s not exactly a happy place, and it takes up a good chunk of your day to visit.

I left it up to my partner to decide, and he really wanted to go. So for him, and you guys, I mustered up the courage to conquer my fear of boat rides and went to visit Alcatraz.

But now I can tell you, Alcatraz is worth going to. I can’t say I’ve visited a prison before, or will ever again, so if I had to visit one I’m happy it was this unique. Plus if you’re a fan of Harry Potter, it definitely gives off Azkaban vibes. And honestly, even if you aren’t interested in the prison, the views of San Francisco alone are worth it.

The most disturbing part of the penitentiary to visit was actually the entrance when you walk by the showers. That reminded me of concentration camps and I felt very uncomfortable. I think there could be a line up here, but I just quickly walked right through, it’s not a part of the audio guide. And otherwise it felt like a history tour, about a very dark past.

It does still take up a good half day in San Francisco, if you include getting to Pier 33 and wait times before the cruise even departs.

a vertical image of the penitentiary on the right side with a narrow pathway with some beautiful flowers next to it. In the distance is a ruin building with no roof.

Need A Place to Stay in San Francisco?

I’ve stayed in three hotels in San Francisco and would really only recommend one: the Marriott in Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s by no means a luxury hotel but it gets the job done and the location could not have been better (my room actually had a view onto the In & Out Burger offering entertainment all day long!). Aside from the In & Out it was walking distance to everything, from Ghirardelli Square to Pier 39. See room rates and availability on Booking.com.

Another good area to stay in while in San Francisco is Union Square. It’s a safer, less touristy neighbourhood. But it still has a cable car running through it to bring you to Fisherman’s Wharf and all the . I stayed in both Cornell Hotel de France and the Marine’s Memorial Club Hotel… and wouldn’t recommend either other than their locations. I regret cancelling my reservation to save some money at the Beacon Grand in the same location! Looking back I think the extra cost is worth it. See room rates and availability on Booking.com.

Or see more hotel options in San Francisco.