Alcatraz ferry schedule and guide
Alcatraz City Cruises runs the Alcatraz ferry, a passenger ferry across San Francisco Bay from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing to Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz City Cruises is the only ferry the National Park Service (NPS) authorizes to dock at Alcatraz Island. Every visitor needs a ferry ticket, and the ticket includes the round trip and the Cellhouse Audio Tour. Tours often sell out, so the NPS strongly recommends booking ahead.
Alcatraz Island closed October 26 to November 18, 2026
Alcatraz Island is closed from October 26 through November 18, 2026, while the island's ferry dock is repaired. Alcatraz City Cruises runs no Alcatraz Island tours on those dates and refunds tickets bought from it. Tours are scheduled to resume on November 19, 2026, and Alcatraz City Cruises says that date depends on the repairs being finished.
Schedule up to date as of October 26, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Contents
Alcatraz ferry schedule Fall 2026
The Fall 2026 schedule runs from March 8, 2026 to November 1, 2026.
Departures from Pier 33, Mondays and Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:40 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 9:20 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 9:40 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 10:10 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 10:35 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 11:00 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 11:30 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 12:00 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 12:30 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 1:05 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 1:35 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 2:15 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 2:45 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 3:20 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 3:50 PM | Alcatraz Island |
Departures from Pier 33, Tuesdays through Saturdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:40 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 9:20 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 9:40 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 10:10 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 10:35 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 11:00 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 11:30 AM | Alcatraz Island |
| 12:00 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 12:30 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 1:05 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 1:35 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 2:15 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 2:45 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 3:20 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 3:50 PM | Alcatraz Island |
| 5:55 PM1 | Alcatraz Island |
| 6:30 PM1 | Alcatraz Island |
| 7:05 PM1 | Alcatraz Island |
- Night Tour
Departures from Alcatraz Island, Mondays and Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Pier 33 |
| 9:35 AM | Pier 33 |
| 9:55 AM | Pier 33 |
| 10:30 AM | Pier 33 |
| 11:00 AM | Pier 33 |
| 11:25 AM | Pier 33 |
| 11:55 AM | Pier 33 |
| 12:25 PM | Pier 33 |
| 12:55 PM | Pier 33 |
| 1:30 PM | Pier 33 |
| 2:00 PM | Pier 33 |
| 2:40 PM | Pier 33 |
| 3:10 PM | Pier 33 |
| 3:45 PM | Pier 33 |
| 4:15 PM | Pier 33 |
| 4:45 PM | Pier 33 |
| 5:15 PM | Pier 33 |
| 5:55 PM | Pier 33 |
| 6:30 PM | Pier 33 |
Departures from Alcatraz Island, Tuesdays through Saturdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Pier 33 |
| 9:35 AM | Pier 33 |
| 9:55 AM | Pier 33 |
| 10:30 AM | Pier 33 |
| 11:00 AM | Pier 33 |
| 11:25 AM | Pier 33 |
| 11:55 AM | Pier 33 |
| 12:25 PM | Pier 33 |
| 12:55 PM | Pier 33 |
| 1:30 PM | Pier 33 |
| 2:00 PM | Pier 33 |
| 2:40 PM | Pier 33 |
| 3:10 PM | Pier 33 |
| 3:45 PM | Pier 33 |
| 4:15 PM | Pier 33 |
| 4:45 PM | Pier 33 |
| 5:15 PM | Pier 33 |
| 5:55 PM | Pier 33 |
| 6:30 PM | Pier 33 |
| 6:55 PM1 | Pier 33 |
| 7:55 PM1 | Pier 33 |
| 8:40 PM1 | Pier 33 |
| 9:25 PM1 | Pier 33 |
- Night Tour
Day Tour boats leave Pier 33 through the day, and Night Tour boats leave in the evening on the days the tables show. The departures from Alcatraz Island are the boats back to Pier 33. Visitors take any boat back they choose, and each one boards first come, first served, so visitors leave time to reach the dock.
Alcatraz Island closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Night Tour also does not run on New Year's Eve, July 4 or Christmas Eve. Alcatraz City Cruises sells a Behind the Scenes Tour and an Alcatraz and Angel Island Combination Tour as well, and neither is in these tables.
Alcatraz ferry tickets and fares
| Fare type | Day Tour | Night Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Round trip | ||
| Adult 18 and older | $47.95 | $59.65 |
| Youth 12 to 17 | $47.95 | $58.35 |
| Senior 62 and older | $45.15 | $55.25 |
| Child 5 to 11 | $29.15 | $34.85 |
| Child under 5 | Free | Free |
- Every ticket includes the round-trip ferry from Pier 33 and the Cellhouse Audio Tour.
An Alcatraz City Cruises ticket covers the round-trip ferry from Pier 33, admission to Alcatraz Island and the Cellhouse Audio Tour. The audio tour comes in 11 languages and in English Braille. The NPS charges no entrance fee at Alcatraz, so America the Beautiful passes do not cover the ticket.
Alcatraz City Cruises sells tickets online, by phone at 415-981-7625 and at the ticket booth at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. Alcatraz City Cruises takes credit and debit cards only, not cash. Tickets bought from Alcatraz City Cruises carry no booking or processing fees, and cancellations at least 72 hours before departure get a refund. Tickets sold by people who approach visitors are often overpriced and may not be valid.
Alcatraz ferry details
| Operator | Alcatraz City Cruises, the only ferry the National Park Service authorizes to dock at Alcatraz Island |
|---|---|
| Departs from | Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, on the Embarcadero in San Francisco |
| Reservations | Strongly recommended by the NPS. Tours often sell out a week or more ahead, and same-day tickets are rare. |
| Payment | Credit and debit cards only. No cash. |
| Identification | Every adult carries a valid photo ID. |
| Luggage | Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing has no luggage storage. |
| Service animals | Allowed under the Americans with Disabilities Act |
| Accessibility | Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and every Alcatraz City Cruises vessel are wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms. Neither Pier 33 nor Alcatraz Island lends wheelchairs. The S.E.A.T. tram carries visitors with mobility impairments from the island's dock up to the Cellhouse. |
| Restrooms and food on board | Every vessel has restrooms and indoor and outdoor seating, and sells food and drinks. Alcohol is sold only on the trip back from Alcatraz Island. |
Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing parking and directions
The Alcatraz ferry leaves from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing (Alcatraz ferry terminal), on the Embarcadero near Bay Street and a short walk from Fisherman's Wharf. Riders using a ride-share app enter "Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing" as the destination. The ticket booth, waiting area and boarding area at Pier 33 are all wheelchair accessible.
Pier 33 has no public parking, and Alcatraz City Cruises has no ties to nearby lots. More than 3,000 spaces sit in commercial lots and garages within five blocks, including the 80 Francisco Street Garage and the ABM lot at 55 San Francisco Street. Most street meters nearby have time limits too short for an Alcatraz visit. Pier 33 has 2 accessible parking spaces, first come, first served, for drivers who show a disabled placard at the entrance.
The NPS recommends public transportation to Pier 33. Muni's F Market and Wharves historic streetcars run along the Embarcadero right past Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. Muni bus routes 8 Bayshore, 8BX Bayshore Express and 39 Coit stop within walking distance.
When the Alcatraz ferry sells out
Alcatraz tours often sell out a week or more in advance, and the NPS says they sell out further ahead near holidays. Alcatraz City Cruises sells tickets up to 90 days before a visit. Riders who wait until the day of the visit rarely find tickets.
Alcatraz City Cruises asks visitors to arrive 45 minutes before departure. Every visitor shows a ticket to enter the queue line, as a QR code on a phone or on paper. Every member of a group must be present before the group can join the line.
What to bring on the Alcatraz ferry
Alcatraz Island has no food service, and the bookstores sell only dry snacks. Visitors eat and drink only at the dock area on Alcatraz, and beyond the dock only water in non-glass bottles is allowed. Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing allows no food, so riders buy food on the ferry or eat before they arrive.
The weather on Alcatraz changes quickly, and the NPS advises layers and a light jacket on every visit. The walk from the dock to the Cellhouse climbs 130 feet in about a quarter mile, so visitors wear walking shoes with grip soles. Sunglasses and sunblock help on the bay, even on cold and windy days.
Alcatraz ferry FAQs
Where does the Alcatraz ferry leave from?
The Alcatraz ferry leaves from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing on the Embarcadero in San Francisco, a short walk from Fisherman's Wharf. No other pier has ferries that land at Alcatraz Island.
How much is an Alcatraz ferry ticket?
The Alcatraz ferry fare depends on the tour and the visitor's age, and the fares table above lists each one. Children under 5 ride free. Every ticket includes the round trip, admission to Alcatraz Island and the Cellhouse Audio Tour.
Can visitors buy Alcatraz ferry tickets on the day?
Same-day Alcatraz ferry tickets are rare, since tours often sell out a week or more ahead. Any tickets left are sold at the Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing ticket booth, which opens one hour before the first departure of the day.
How long do visitors spend on Alcatraz Island?
The NPS suggests planning a couple of hours on Alcatraz Island. Visitors choose their boat back to Pier 33, and each boat back boards first come, first served.
Do other ferries go to Alcatraz Island?
No other company's ferry docks at Alcatraz Island. Several San Francisco Bay cruises circle the island without landing, and an Alcatraz City Cruises ticket is the only way to visit.
Is Alcatraz open on holidays?
Alcatraz Island closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Night Tour does not run on Sundays or Mondays.