Attraction · San Francisco
Alcatraz Island: free entry days, tickets & hours
Former federal penitentiary on an island in San Francisco Bay, part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area; reached only by the official ferry from Pier 33.
Independent guide, not the official Alcatraz website. Official links are under Sources.
Alcatraz is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: Children under 5 ride the Day Tour and Night Tour ferry free.
- Otherwise: day Tour, adult 18+ (ferry + cellhouse audio tour) — $47.95.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Children under 5 ride the Day Tour and Night Tour ferry free: Book through Alcatraz City Cruises, the only NPS-authorized ferry.
- Ranger talks on the island are free once you're there; check the board at the dock when you land.
- Only Alcatraz City Cruises from Pier 33 docks at the island; 'Alcatraz' cruises from other operators only sail around it.
- America the Beautiful passes and NPS free days do not reduce the ferry price.
- Book early: day tours often sell out a month or more ahead in summer and around holidays.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free forChildren under 5 ride the Day Tour and Night Tour ferry free | children under 5 | A $0 ticket is still needed on the ferry; book it with the adults' tickets. | Yes |
Official prices
Alcatraz ticket prices
| Day Tour, adult 18+ (ferry + cellhouse audio tour) — Ages 12-17 also $47.95, 5-11 $29.15, seniors 62+ $45.15, under 5 $0. Price includes ferry, audio tour and the federal recreation fee. Sold only by Alcatraz City Cruises, up to 90 days ahead; often sells out weeks in advance. | $47.95 |
| Night Tour, adult 18+ — Evening ferry with sunset views and extra programs. | $59.65 |
| Behind the Scenes Tour, adult 18+ (includes the Night Tour) — Small-group access to areas closed on regular tours; 4-5 hours. | $104.65 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (day tour, adult 18+ (ferry + cellhouse audio tour)). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Alcatraz
Guided tourSan Francisco: Alcatraz Ticket, Ferry, & Self-Guided App★★★★★ 4.5 · 4.6k reviews3 - 5.5 hoursfrom $85.35
CruiseSan Francisco: Alcatraz City Cruises with Ferry & Audio Tour★★★★★ 4.7 · 1.7k reviews1 dayfrom $47.95
Guided tourSan Francisco: Alcatraz, Ferry & Audio Tour w/ Night Option★★★★☆ 4.4 · 1.2k reviews3 hoursfrom $94.99
CruiseAlcatraz Island Prison Tour & Bay Cruise Combined Package★★★★★ 4.6 · 603 reviews4 hoursfrom $122
Ticket & extrasFrom San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, & Sausalito Day Trip★★★★☆ 4.3 · 230 reviewsfrom $159
Guided tourCombo: Alcatraz Tour + San Francisco 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour★★★★☆ 4.3 · 134 reviewsfrom $120
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
Ferries leave Pier 33 about every half hour from 8:45am; hours vary by season. Night tours and Behind the Scenes tours run on a set schedule. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Alcatraz Landing, Pier 33, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA (ferry departure)
FAQ
Alcatraz: common questions
Is Alcatraz free?
Alcatraz has no free entry for everyone. Also free: Children under 5 ride the Day Tour and Night Tour ferry free. Otherwise the official ticket costs $47.95.
Who gets free entry to Alcatraz?
Children under 5 — a $0 ticket is still needed on the ferry; book it with the adults' tickets..
Do I need to book for free entry to Alcatraz?
Book through Alcatraz City Cruises, the only NPS-authorized ferry.
How much is a ticket to Alcatraz?
Day Tour, adult 18+ (ferry + cellhouse audio tour) costs $47.95 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Alcatraz
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
Write a review
Sources
Where this comes from
- nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/fees.htm · checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.