Looking to score last-minute Alcatraz tickets? While they can be extremely difficult to get at the last minute, don’t count yourself out just yet. We’ve been helping people visit Alcatraz for over 10 years, and our top picks for Alcatraz tours are outlined in this article.
But before we dive in… ready for the ultimate solution? Dylan’s Famous Tour with Alcatraz offers the complete San Francisco experience.
This top-rated day tour takes you from the city’s most iconic neighborhoods to the towering coastal redwoods of Muir Woods, before delivering you directly to Alcatraz Island. You’ll explore San Francisco landmarks, walk among ancient redwoods, enjoy a scenic lunch break in waterfront Sausalito, and cap off your day touring the notorious former federal prison that once housed Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly.
Rather than scrambling for individual tickets, this five-star rated tour guarantees your Alcatraz access while showing you the very best of the Bay Area in a single unforgettable day.
What to Do When Alcatraz Tickets Are Sold Out
If you find yourself in San Francisco Bay with no Alcatraz tickets, you have three main options:
- Try to book tickets directly through Alcatraz City Cruises (the official provider)
- Book an Alcatraz Tour Package through Dylan’s Tours (combines multiple attractions)
- Check availability for night tours (limited seasonal availability)
Why Alcatraz Tickets Sell Out So Fast
Alcatraz Island is one of the most popular National Park sites to visit in San Francisco, which means ferry tickets and tours sell out quickly. If you’re planning to visit the famous San Francisco prison island anywhere from March through October, chances are you’ll find that tickets are already sold out.
The prison island became part of a national recreation area in 1972 and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Each year, more than one million people flock to San Francisco to tour Alcatraz Island, see the old prison cells, and listen to stories about its notorious history.
The combination of limited ferry capacity, year-round tourist demand, and Alcatraz City Cruises being the only authorized transportation creates a perfect storm for sold-out tickets. With just one company controlling all access to the island and ferries running on a fixed schedule, there’s simply not enough availability to meet demand during peak season.
That’s exactly why booking Dylan’s Famous Tour with Alcatraz in advance is your best bet for guaranteed Alcatraz access without the stress of hunting for individual tickets.
Understanding Alcatraz Tour Pricing and What’s Included
Many visitors wonder why visiting Alcatraz can be so expensive. Here’s what your ticket actually covers:
- Ferry transportation: Round-trip boat ride (about 20 minutes each way)
- Park admission: Access to the entire island
- Audio tour: Award-winning self-guided cellhouse tour available in 11 languages
- Unlimited time: Stay as long as you’d like before catching a return ferry
Current Alcatraz Tour Ticket Pricing:
Want to get tickets to Alcatraz? If there are tickets available, here’s what you can expect to pay:
- Adult Day Tour: $42.15
- Children (5-11): $25.80
- Juniors (12-17): $42.15
- Seniors: $39.80
Night Tour Pricing:
- Adult: $52.70
- Children (5-11): $31.00
- Juniors (12-17): $51.55
- Seniors: $49.00
Important Alcatraz Island Warning: Avoid Scalped Tickets
Do not buy tickets from Craigslist or StubHub.
Once upon a time, people used to try to escape from Alcatraz, now, they’re dying to get onto the island! And there aren’t enough Alcatraz tickets for sale. Even Justin Timberlake was turned away from the island when he showed up on the San Francisco Fire Department’s fireboat!
You might be tempted to turn to Craigslist or StubHub in search of a sold out ticket. However, it is illegal to re-sell tickets to Alcatraz. So, these sites aren’t a legal option for finding Alcatraz tickets last minute.
These sites are also not the best place to find cheap Alcatraz tickets since sellers usually jack up the price to take advantage of ticket demand. Alcatraz costs enough on its own without prices being raised for profit!
Rumor has it that SFPD runs sting operations to nab anyone selling Alcatraz Tours last minute tickets on those sites. So, we’d strongly caution you against getting your Alcatraz ferry tickets this way.
Legal Last-Minute Options
1. Official Ferry Provider: Alcatraz City Cruises
Alcatraz City Cruises is the official and only ferry provider allowed to take visitors to Alcatraz Island. While many tours will take you around the island, only one company can actually land on Alcatraz and sell official tour tickets.
Ferry Schedule:
- Day tours depart: 8:45 AM through 3:45 PM (every 30 minutes)
- Day tours return: 9:55 AM through 6:30 PM
- Night tours depart: 5:45 PM and 6:30 PM
- Night tours return: 8:40 PM and 9:25 PM
The box office opens at 7:30 AM, with the first tour departing at 8:45 AM.
2. Book Your Alcatraz Tour with Official Third-Party Operators
While it’s illegal to resell individual tickets, official third-party operators can package Alcatraz tickets with San Francisco city tours. These operators cannot sell Alcatraz tickets individually, only as part of a package tour.
Important restrictions for package tours:
- All guest names must be submitted 10 days prior
- No last-minute bookings possible if Alcatraz is sold out
- Always verify the tour actually goes TO Alcatraz Island (not just around it)
Dylan’s Famous Tour with Muir Woods Highlights
Explore San Francisco on this ultimate experience that includes:
- Start the day off by visiting all the most distinct and beautiful neighborhoods in the city.
- After exploring San Francisco, marvel at the redwoods on a walk through Muir Woods National Monument.
- After Muir Woods, we will stop in the quaint little town of Sausalito on our way back to San Francisco for a lunch break.
- In the afternoon, you will board the ferry for the Official Alcatraz Day Tour. This former federal prison was once home to infamous criminals Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and it is a must-do while visiting San Francisco.
Tour Details:
- Start time: 8:00 AM at Fisherman’s Wharf
- Duration: 10-hour comprehensive experience
- Neighborhoods visited: Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury, the Presidio
- Lunch stop: Sausalito waterfront (grab food at local delis)
- Return: Flexible timing based on your Alcatraz visit preference
Book your Famous Tour with Alcatraz here.
3. Alcatraz Night Tour
The Night Tour offers a uniquely eerie experience and access to areas closed to daytime visitors. This option costs more but provides:
- Smaller crowds and more intimate experience
- Guided tours (not just self-guided audio)
- Access to additional restricted areas
- Bone-chilling atmosphere seeing the prison in shadows
Availability: Not year-round; only sold through the official Alcatraz City Cruises website. Spots are very limited, making this even harder to book than day tours.
Alternative: Bay Cruises (Seeing Alcatraz from a Distance)
When summer hits and all tickets are sold out, bay cruises offer the only realistic way of “seeing” Alcatraz from the water. You’ll sail around Alcatraz and enjoy San Francisco’s beautiful waterfront. While you won’t actually get a tour of Alcatraz prison, these bay cruise tickets include:
- Views of Alcatraz from the bay
- Trips beneath the Golden Gate Bridge
- Sometimes routes past AT&T Park during Giants games
- Sunset sailing options with cocktails (Adventure Cat)
Local tip: Head to Fisherman’s Wharf where actual fishermen sometimes take travelers out on boat tours around Alcatraz. Check out Wacky Jacky on the Lovely Martha for a unique experience (outside of crabbing season).
Planning Your Alcatraz Ferry and Visit
How Long Does the Tour Take?
- Total time on island: 2-3 hours typical
- Ferry ride: 20 minutes each way (40 minutes total transportation)
- Audio tour: 45 minutes for the cellhouse
- Island exploration: As long as you’d like
- Flexible departure: Catch any return ferry when you’re ready
What to Bring
- No food available on island: Eat before your visit
- Comfortable walking shoes: Steep terrain and lots of walking
- Weather-appropriate clothing: Can be windy and cool
- Camera: Incredible views of San Francisco skyline
Transportation and Parking
Driving: Arrive early! Parking near Pier 33 is extremely difficult. Consider reserving a spot through Parking Panda.
Important: If you miss your scheduled departure time, your ticket goes to someone on the standby list.
Why Choose Dylan’s Famous Tour with Alcatraz?
Our Alcatraz combination tour consistently ranks as one of the top-rated Alcatraz experiences on TripAdvisor. Here’s why:
- Guaranteed Alcatraz tickets: We handle reservations in advance
- No parking stress: Direct drop-off at Pier 33
- Full San Francisco experience: See the city’s highlights in one day
- Local expertise: Guides share stories and history you won’t get elsewhere
- Flexible Alcatraz timing: Stay as long as you want on the island
- Multiple attractions: Only tour combining Alcatraz, city tour, AND Muir Woods
Book Your Alcatraz Experience
Don’t let sold-out tickets ruin your San Francisco visit. Whether you secure individual tickets through Alcatraz City Cruises or join our comprehensive day tour, experiencing this iconic prison island is a must-do San Francisco activity.
Ready to secure your spot? Book Dylan’s Famous Tour with Alcatraz today.
FAQ’s
Still have questions about Alcatraz City Cruises, Pier 33, or what to do if Alcatraz tickets are sold out? Check out our FAQ section below to learn all you need to know about tours of Alcatraz Prison![/vc_column_text]
What is the best way to get last minute tickets?
If tickets are sold out, you can try booking with a 3rd party ticket company. However, all tickets must be purchased at least four days in advance. Beware of scammers trying to sell you fake tickets.
Is Alcatraz a National Park site?
Yes! The prison island in San Francisco became part of a national recreation area in 1972 and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Where is Alcatraz Island?
The location of Alcatraz Island is in the San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles offshore from San Francisco.
Is Alcatraz open to the public?
Alcatraz is open to public tours. However, the Alcatraz docks are exclusively available to one ferry line, Alcatraz Cruises. So, the only way the public can visit this famous jail in San Francisco is to buy a tour and take one of the official Alcatraz ferries.
Can you go inside Alcatraz prison?
Absolutely! When you buy tickets to Alcatraz, you’ll be guaranteed a ferry ride across the bay and admission to the island and prison cells. You can even use the provided audio tour to take Alcatraz guided tours of this famous prison in SF.
How long does the Alcatraz tour take?
Touring Alcatraz prison can take anywhere from 1-4 hours. The ferry for Alcatraz lasts about 20 minutes each way. The self-guided audio tour takes about 45 minutes. On top of that, you have the opportunity to explore the island portion of Alcatraz park for as long as you’d like to before checking the Alcatraz return ferry schedule to catch a ride back to Pier 33.
What are the Alcatraz ferry times?
Day tour departure times: 8:45 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:45 PM
Day tour return times: 9:55 AM, 10:25 AM, 10:55 AM, 11:25 AM, 11:55 AM, 12:25 PM, 12:55 PM, 1:25 PM, 1:55 PM, 2:35 PM, 3:05 PM, 3:45 PM, 4:15 PM, 4:45 PM, 5:15 PM, 5:55 PM, 6:30 PM
Night tour departure times: 5:45 PM, 6:30 PM
Night tour return times: 8:40 PM, 9:25 PM
How long is the ferry ride to Alcatraz?
The ferries to Alcatraz usually take a little less than twenty minutes. Along the way, you can enjoy some fantastic views of both the island and the city!
What are Alcatraz tour hours?
The box office for tickets sales opens at 7:30. The Alcatraz early bird tour is the first tour to leave at 8:45, while tickets for the Alcatraz night tour leave as late as 6:30pm.
How much is the Alcatraz tour?
Adult Day Tour Price: $42.15 – Children (5-11 years) Day Tour Price: $25.80 – Junior (12-17 years) Night Tour Price: $42.15 – Seniors Day Tour Price: $39.80
Adult Night Tour Price: $52.70 – Children (5-11 years) Night Tour Price: $31.00 – Junior (12-17 years) Night Tour Price: $51.55 – Seniors Night Tour Price: $49.00
Note: All Alcatraz admission prices include the official Alcatraz tours ferry, an Alcatraz pass, and a self guided audio tour. Additional features, like a ranger-led tour of the California prison island, are included in the Night Tour.
Where is the Alcatraz Tours Parking location?
If you plan to drive yourself to Pier 33 for Alcatraz tickets, be sure to arrive early! Parking can be extremely difficult along the piers, so you may want to reserve a spot ahead of time with a service like Parking Panda. Remember, if you miss your scheduled time for the boat trip to Alcatraz, your ticket will be given to someone in the standby line. So make sure you give yourself enough time to find parking and walk to the pier!
Where Can I purchase tickets to an Alcatraz night tour?
We recommend checking out the official website to see the Alcatraz tour schedule and buy tickets to Alcatraz for day, night, or behind the scenes tours.
What is the Alcatraz Behind the Scenes tour?
The semi-private Behind the Scenes tour departs from Pier 33 Alcatraz Tours Landing on the last two Day Tour departure times and returns on either of the two Night Tour return times.
This tour is limited to thirty people and includes a two hour long guided tour of the island. Please note that this tour can be strenuous: the roads and walkways on Alcatraz are steep, and the tour covers a bit of ground.
What is the Alcatraz audio tour?
The Alcatraz Audio tour takes the form of an award-winning narrative presentation. You’ll wear headphones and carry a mobile device that allows you to explore the Cellhouse at your own pace. Along the way, you’ll listen to the stories of life from former inmates and guards, and learn about famous escape attempts from the prison on the rock.
The Cellhouse audio tour is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Are there cheap Alcatraz tours?
Not really. The most budget-friendly way of getting to Alcatraz is by purchasing directly from Alcatraz Cruises. However, if the official Alcatraz tour is sold out, combo Alcatraz packages are the best way to buy Alcatraz tickets last minute. They offer great value because they allow you to visit multiple tourist destinations in the Bay Area.
Are there Alcatraz private tours?
Yes, there are semi-private Alcatraz tours known as the Behind the Scenes tours. Tickets for these private Alcatraz tours include a round-trip ferry ride to the island, a two hour guided tour with 30 or fewer guests, and access to all of the additional activities available during nighttime Alcatraz visiting hours. These can be combined with San Francisco private tours of the entire bay area!
Who owns Alcatraz?
Alcatraz State Park is considered part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and its facilities are managed entirely by the National Park Service.
What is the meaning of Alcatraz in English?
The full name of the island is “La Isla de los Alcatraces,” which translates as “The Island of the Pelicans,”. So, the Spanish word “alcatraz”, translates to “pelican” in English.
How many tourists visit Alcatraz each year?
Each year, more than one million people flock to San Francisco to take tours of Alcatraz Island, see the inmates’ old cells, and listen to stories about the prison’s history.
Where is the Alcatraz Tours Parking location?
If you plan to drive yourself to Pier 33 for Alcatraz tickets, be sure to arrive early! Parking can be extremely difficult along the piers, so you may want to reserve a spot ahead of time with a service like Parking Panda. Remember, if you miss your scheduled time for the boat trip to Alcatraz, your ticket will be given to someone in the standby line. So make sure you give yourself enough time to find parking and walk to the pier!
Where can I purchase tickets to an Alcatraz night tour?
We recommend checking out the official website to see the Alcatraz tour schedule and buy tickets to Alcatraz for day, night, or behind the scenes tours.
Now that you know how to get Alcatraz tickets last minute, let us help you make your trip to the prison on an island unforgettable!
Book the #1 Alcatraz Combo Tour
Need more inspiration for your upcoming trip to Alcatraz? Don’t miss out on our related blog posts below!
- Should You Buy an Alcatraz Ticket or an Alcatraz Tour?
- 10 Things You NEED to Know Before Going to Alcatraz
- 10 Best Alcatraz Tours
- Alcatraz Night Tour vs Alcatraz Day Tour
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