How to Get Alcatraz Tickets and Beat the Crowds
Alcatraz tickets go on sale 90 days ahead and often sell out weeks ahead in summer and holidays. Book only through City Experiences, the official ferry operator. The Day Tour is about $47.95 for adults, and the Night Tour (Tuesday to Saturday) about $59.65. Take the first ferry of the morning to see the cellhouse before it fills up.
- Day Tour
- About $47.95 adults
- Night Tour
- About $59.65 adults, Tuesday to Saturday
- Behind the Scenes
- About $104.65
- Booking
- Opens 90 days ahead
- Official seller
- City Experiences only
- Best time
- First ferry of the day
- Time to allow
- 2.5-3 hours
How busy is Alcatraz?
Ferries from Pier 33 are capped, so the island is never overwhelmed, but the cellhouse audio tour gets crowded mid-morning to mid-afternoon. The early ferry gives you the cells almost to yourself. The Night Tour is smaller, with extra talks and the sunset over the bay.
Before you go, check how busy Alcatraz is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for US holidays, school breaks and weather.
Check today’s crowds at Alcatraz Island →Best (and worst) times to go
- First morning ferry: an empty cellhouse.
- Night Tour: smaller crowds and an eerier feel.
- Worst: midday ferries in summer.
- Winter weekdays: easiest to book at short notice.
Our hourly forecast for Alcatraz shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.
Check today’s crowds at Alcatraz Island →