Alcatraz City Cruises

We headed to Alcatraz on the 9:30am cruise. You depart from peer 33 and the logistics were smooth and well organized. Make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes before departure time and preferably 30 minutes before. There are bathrooms near the ferry entrance. It's less than 15 minutes to Alcatraz Island and there are snacks available for sale. We also did the group picture. You can wait to buy the picture on the way back (you just have to remember which ferry time you departed). Alcohol is available for sale (beer and wine) on the way back, but not on the way there. We had a smooth ride over and back with nice views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. Ferries run about every 30 minutes coming back for the bulk of the day. The entire process from booking tickets to getting our boarding information and making the trip over and back ran very smoothly. You need to get your tickets in advance - at least 30 days for popular travel days (like the weekend). Definitely do this if you are visiting San Francisco!

Another one off the bucket list. Arrived early and was waiting around (not a lot of things nearby, couple of street food stalls). Was asked to come and wait at a certain point at 0830 for an 0850 departure. Spent some time looking at the model version and noticed the queue was building up so joined it earlier.

There were toilets near the queue area (didn't use them) and all members of the group have to be scanned on together. The boat was larger than expected although had limited seating options. Was pleasant enough.

Arrived onsite and paid $1 for an Alcatraz map, then started walking up to the cellhouse. If I recall correctly they said it's equivalent to walking up 13 flights of stairs - definitely wear comfy shoes and I was envious of those in trainers. For wheelchair users and elderly there is a very small limited seat train up the hill eveyr hour or so (no kids allowed).

You can choose different options, we went for the audio tour where at a certain point we were given a sanitised walkie talkie that was informative and great to see they were taking covid seriously. We were free to move around the island as we liked, and could catch any ferry back (approx every 30 mins). Would recommend it, as fast walkers we spent around 1.5 hours there, although I could imagine others requiring 3.

Visited Alcatraz Island as part of a night tour of the prison. Booked well in advance as the tour is renown for selling out. Was amazed to find that I was only one of probably more than 300 people on the tour. After a short boat ride, you are escorted up a steep road that is around 700m-800m long and winds it’s way up the side of the island. When you enter the main prison building you are supplied an audio tour unit which you wear and listen to instructions of, over the next 45 mins to 1 hour. Found the history of the island and prison fascinating. As part of the night tour, two National Parks rangers told the group stories of inmates and attempted escapes. Souvenir shop is extensive with some quality keepsakes on offer. All up the return boat trip and tour took about 3 hours. We left at 3.50pm and we’re back on shore before 7pm. Highly recommended.

Now nearly 4 months AND STILL NO REFUND!! All other bookings have been refunded since Covid lockdown, but not Allattaz Cruises. Emails promise refunds within 14 days, but nothing ever happens. Also, some kind of booking fee (around £20 for 2) is not refundable at all!! Poor show.
Not to be recommended.

This tour was the highlight of our trip to California. So well organised from the start, from lining up to board the boat, from getting off on return. As soon as you step on to the island you are made to feel welcomed by a ranger. The audio tour is brilliant, the way it tells you where you should be stood and what you should be looking at means you don’t miss a thing about the prison. The souvenir photo is really good quality and I liked that the second photo was offered to us at a discounted price. So both me and my friend were able to have a quality copy each. The highlight of the tour though was meeting an ex prisoner. William G Baker inmate #1259 was doing a book signing in the shop. We purchased his book, got it personally signed and had a photo and a chat. What a great day!

Our family from out-of-town all wanted to go to Alcatraz. We had a wonderful time. They don’t allow food on the island except at the dock so we brought our own. No food is sold on Alcatraz. The walk to the top is very steep and I didn’t think I could make it. My husband and I took the tram straight to the top. All the guards and service people were very helpful in showing or taking me to elevators and exhibits. We were there about 21/2 hours but it’s got a rich supply of exhibits that could take more time. My granddaughter turned 4 the day before so that determined how long we could stay. Everyone was pleased with the visit. I’ve been several times in the past and still enjoyed it.

booked about 10 weeks in advance to guarantee the time we wanted, talking to people there it seemed like it was booking up very quickly for the summer. the cruise/tour itself was awesome, this is a must do in san francisco. We booked a 3 pm ferry time, the confirmation said to show up 45 minutes early, we showed up about 65 minutes early and they actually let us on to the 2 pm ferry which was awesome. they definitely have reduced capacity and the ferry itself was socially distant and masks required. it was a windy day in SF and it was especially windy up on the top of the ferry, make sure to dress warm. some people got a bit splashed with water too as the bay is quite rough. the tour of alcatraz island itself was very cool, it is a guided audio tour that you download on your phone, they have free wifi on the island if you forget to download it prior. the cell house tour itself took about 1.5 hours, you could definitely spend more time on the island if you want to see everything. ferries return back to the mainland approx every hour.

Enjoyed the tour but I wish they allowed more time to tour. The audio book was confusing at times where to go and what direction but very informative.

We did the night tour and were able to hear two presentations; however, they tell us to head back to the boat and a whole other group or tour was already on the ferry. We had to sit on the floor of the three stories but the third is outside and it’s too windy to sit outside and frigid. Anywhere near the water is going to be 10 degrees cooler. Dress warm.

Unfortunately due to the current situation we have had our upcoming trip to the US cancelled.
We were promised a refund for our Alcatraz cruise on 14th March and that the monies would be reaccredited to the payment card within 14 days. After several emails back and forth we are told that to date (25th April) we are still ‘in a queue’ waiting for said refund.
Fortunately the vast majority of companies have been excellent in regard to customer service/care. Since we are hoping to redo our trip to the US next year we will be unlikely to use this company due to this experience.

My family and I loved the self guided tour of Alcatraz island. We are fairly quick with touring and 2 hours on the island was about right. Wear GOOD walking shoes and bring a warmer layer/windbreaker. Eat and drink BEFORE you check in. Check in is 45 minutes before the tour time, and departure is 15 min before. I had bought a take out lunch and planned to eat it after I checked in, but nothing but water is allowed in the check in and waiting area (understandably, during the pandemic). Nice gift shop on island. Covid precautions on the boat and on the island/cell house were handled very well. People got closer than I was comfortable with when waiting in line to board, but it was mainly outdoors (<5 min walking through the boat), masks were required, and there was plenty of space to spread out on the top deck outside. The island had beautiful flowers and a gull colony, in addition to the prison itself. We booked a week or two in advance. Be sure to fully download the app for the tour before you go. We had gotten the apps but did not realize it hadn’t fully downloaded, and missed part of the audio tour because of it. Don’t forget your National Park Passport booksstamps were available with the gift shop cashier.