The short answer
- Choose the Day Tour for time and flexibility. Ferries leave often from morning to mid-afternoon, and you head back on any Day Tour return boat.
- Choose the Night Tour for atmosphere. It runs Tuesday to Saturday, with only a few early-evening departures, evening talks and the city lights across the bay.
- Both include the official round-trip ferry from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, island admission and the Cellhouse Audio Tour.
- How long: allow at least 2.5 to 3 hours for a Day Tour and about 3 hours for a Night Tour, ferry there and back included.
- Le Way Go price per adult: Day Tour $80, Night Tour $105. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Alcatraz is one of the most popular visits in San Francisco, and tickets can sell out weeks ahead in busy seasons. So the first choice is simple: day or night? Both visits take you to the same island and the same cellhouse. The difference is how much time you get, how busy it feels and what is open. Here is how they compare.
The Day Tour: time and flexibility
Day Tour ferries leave Pier 33 often, about every 30 to 40 minutes, from morning to mid-afternoon. The crossing is short. Once you land, there is no fixed program. Walk up to the cellhouse, take the Cellhouse Audio Tour, then explore the exhibits, gardens and viewpoints at your own pace.
When you are ready, take any Day Tour return boat back to the pier. Return boats run into the late afternoon or early evening, depending on the season. They board first come, first served, so get to the dock a little early for the boat you want.
The Cellhouse Audio Tour
The Cellhouse Audio Tour is included with every ticket. It takes about 35 minutes and leads you through the cell blocks, the dining hall and the recreation yard, with stories from former officers and inmates. On the Day Tour you can do it whenever you like during your visit.
Who it is for
- First-time visitors who want to see as much as possible at their own pace
- Families with young children who need breaks and an early night
- Photographers who want daylight views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge
- Anyone visiting on a Sunday or Monday, when the Night Tour does not run
The Night Tour: atmosphere after dark
The Night Tour runs Tuesday to Saturday, with just a few departures in the early evening. It does not run on Sundays or Mondays, or on some holidays, including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and July 4. With so few boats, the island usually feels quieter than at midday.
Your visit fits into an evening window. You choose from a small number of evening return boats, and the last one leaves at a set time. You cannot stay as long as you like, but there is enough time for the audio tour and an evening program if you keep moving.
What is different at night
- Special programs. Besides the Cellhouse Audio Tour, evening visits include special programs on different Alcatraz topics, according to the National Park Service.
- Evening views. As the light fades, you see the San Francisco skyline from the island and from the ferry.
- Some areas are closed. A few parts of the island that are open by day are closed at night.
- A different mood. The cellhouse after dark feels very different from a busy afternoon.
Who it is for
- Visitors who have seen Alcatraz before or want something different
- Couples, friends and adults planning a memorable evening
- Travelers who spend the day elsewhere in the city and want an evening activity
Side-by-side comparison
| Day Tour | Night Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | Every day the island is open | Tuesday to Saturday |
| Departures | Many, morning to mid-afternoon | A few, early evening |
| Return | Any Day Tour return boat | One of a few evening return boats |
| Time on the island | As long as you like, until the last return boat | An evening window |
| Crowds | Busier, especially midday | Usually quieter |
| Programs | Cellhouse Audio Tour, exhibits, gardens | Cellhouse Audio Tour plus evening programs; some areas closed |
| Best for | First visits, families, daylight photos | Atmosphere, repeat visitors, evenings |
| Le Way Go price | From $80 | From $105 |
Departure and return times change with the season. Check the current schedule on the Alcatraz City Cruises website, and the exact time on your ticket, before you plan the rest of your day.
Local tip: bring a warm layer for both tours. It is often chillier on Alcatraz than in the city, the weather can change fast, and it gets cold quickly after sunset.
Tips for both tours
- Arrive early. The operator asks you to be at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing 45 minutes before departure. Everyone in your group must be there to board.
- Plan for the hill. The road from the dock to the cellhouse is about a quarter mile and steep in parts. An electric shuttle (SEAT) runs about every half hour for visitors who need help with the climb.
- Know the food rules. On the island, you can eat and drink only at the dock area. Beyond the dock, only bottled water in non-glass bottles is allowed. Alcohol is not allowed on the island.
- Wear good shoes. Expect steps, slopes and uneven paths. Comfortable shoes with good grip help.
- Download before you go. Your Le Way Go City Guide includes San Francisco audio tours, like Fisherman’s Wharf & the Waterfront, which starts right near the pier. In the iPhone or Android app, download the audio tours you want on Wi-Fi before your visit so you can listen offline. The browser version needs an internet connection.
Ready to book?
Each tour includes the official Alcatraz City Cruises ticket, bought for your exact date and time right after you book. It also includes the Le Way Go City Guide with San Francisco audio tours. Your ticket arrives by email 24 hours before departure, or right away if you book later. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Want more time outdoors? The Alcatraz + Angel Island combination tour adds a second island on the same day. It runs on a seasonal schedule, so check dates when you book.
Questions
How long does the Alcatraz tour take?
Alcatraz City Cruises recommends allowing at least 2.5 to 3 hours for a Day Tour: the ferry crossing, the island and the ferry back to Pier 33. The Cellhouse Audio Tour itself takes about 35 minutes. On the Day Tour you can stay longer, until the last return boat, so plan more time if you want to see the gardens and exhibits too.
How long is the Alcatraz Night Tour?
About 3 hours from Pier 33 and back, according to Alcatraz City Cruises. You return on one of a few evening boats, and the last one leaves at a set time.
Is Alcatraz open on Sundays?
Yes. Alcatraz is open every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, so the Day Tour runs on Sundays and Mondays. The Night Tour does not: it runs Tuesday to Saturday only. The island can also close for repairs or bad weather, so check the Alcatraz City Cruises website before you go.
Can I stay on the island as long as I want on the Night Tour?
Not quite. You choose from a few evening return boats, and the last one leaves at a set time. On the Day Tour you can take any Day Tour return boat, so you have much more freedom.
Which days does the Night Tour run?
Tuesday to Saturday. It does not run on Sundays, Mondays or some holidays, including Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. If your only free evening is a Sunday or Monday, choose the Day Tour.
Is the Night Tour a good choice with kids?
It depends on your children. The visit starts in the early evening and the return boats run late, and it gets cold after sunset. For younger kids, the Day Tour is often easier. See our FAQ for more booking questions.
