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The Ultimate Alcatraz FAQ: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

The ultimate insider guide: 32 faqs about planning and visiting alcatraz.

Hey there, friend! So you’re thinking about checking out Alcatraz, huh? Man, you’re in for an adventure that’s as chilling as it is thrilling. This iconic island has got it all—history, mystery, and some killer views of San Francisco Bay. Whether you’re an SF local or just passing through, this is one must-see attraction. To make your life a whole lot easier, We have rounded up all the need-to-know info for you. Buckle up, because we’re diving into 32 super useful tips that’ll make your trip to “The Rock” a total breeze.

Table of Contents

• Where to Purchase Tickets
• Advance Tickets
• Payment Methods
• Pricing & Family Discounts
• Alcatraz Location & Departure Pier
• Hours of Operation
• Night Programs
• Time Required
• Food & Dining
• Weather & Clothing
• Wildlife & Best Time to Visit
• Accessibility Features
• Rescheduling & Running Late
• Luggage & Bag Policy
• Guided and Self-guided Tours

Ticketing and Booking 🎟️

1. where can i purchase tickets.

Hey, guess what? You’ve got options! The  easiest and quickest way to grab your tickets is online through the official  Alcatraz City Cruises website . But if you’re old-school, you can also ring them up at  +1-415-981-7625 . They’re open seven days a week, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm PST.

👉 Or if you’re the spontaneous type, you can waltz up to the ticket booth at  Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing . Just know they open an hour before the first tour departs and close when the last tour sails away for the day.  Spoiler :  Same-day tickets are often sold out!

2. Should I Purchase Tickets in Advance?

Absolutely, my friend! Trust me, you don’t want to show up and find out it’s sold out. Especially during the summer or holiday weekends, these bad boys get snagged weeks in advance.

3. Can I Pay with Cash?

Nah, sorry, no cash. Alcatraz City Cruises are all about those cards. So whip out that credit or debit card.

4. What About the Kiddos?

Little ones under 4 are free and don’t need tickets. For kids 5 and up, you gotta buy them tickets. Oh, and you can totally bring strollers, but just not on the S.E.A.T. Tram.

5. National Park Passes: Yay or Nay?

Big nope! Your National Park Pass won’t cut it here because the ticket price is actually for the ferry and audio tour, not an entrance fee to Alcatraz.

6. How Much is This Going to Cost Me?

• Adult: $45.25
• Child (5-11): $27.55
• Junior (12-17): $45.25
• Senior (62+): $42.65
• Family Pack: $131.85

7. Got Any Family Discounts?

Yep, they’ve got a Family Pack. It covers two adults and two kiddos for $131.85. Call them at  +1-415-981-7625  or get it in person.

Your Visit 🌉

10. where’s alcatraz what pier do i leave from.

Alcatraz is 1.25 miles offshore from SF. You’ll take a ferry from  Pier 33  operated exclusively by Alcatraz Cruises.

11. Different Tours, What’s the Deal?

Day Tour:  Plan to hang around for about 3 hours, including the ferry and cellhouse audio tour.  Night Tour:  A 3-hour evening tour with guided programs and dramatic SF skyline views.  Behind The Scenes Tour:  A 2-hour tour in smaller groups and access to areas off-limits in other tours.

12. What Time Can I Go?

First ferry is at  8:45 am . They leave every 30-40 minutes and the island closes at  6:30 pm in summer ,  4:30 pm otherwise . If you have not printed your tickets prior to your tour date then you may pick up your tickets at Pier 33 at the Prepaid Ticket booth (will-call). Please arrive  half an hour (one hour during peak seasons) prior to your departure time  to check-in.

13. Is Alcatraz Always Open?

Almost! It’s closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. That’s it!

14. How About a Night Tour?

Night tours are available  Tuesday-Saturday . They feature special programs and a wicked view of the city skyline.

15. How Long Will I Be There?

For a Day Tour, block out  2.5 to 3 hours . That includes the 12-15 minute ferry each way.

16. Can I Bring My Own Lunch?

Nope! The island is a bird sanctuary. You can bring bottled water though!

17. Tell Me About the Audio Tour

You’ll get a pair of headphones and an audio guide that’ll walk you through the Alcatraz Cellhouse. It’s available in  11 languages , and you can get refunds on the island if you change your mind.

18. What Should I Wear?

Something comfy and weather-appropriate. SF can be super foggy and chilly, even in summer.

On The Island 🏝️

19. how much time do i need.

The rule of thumb is about  3 hours  for a complete experience. You’ve got the ferry ride, the walking tour, the audio guide, and maybe some chill time.

20. Is There Food on Alcatraz?

You wish! But nope, you gotta eat before you board or after you return to the mainland. No picnic spots on this island it’s a bird sanctuary.

21. The Audio Tour: How Long is That?

The audio tour lasts about  45 minutes , but you can pause, rewind, or fast-forward if you like. Plus, there’s tons of stuff to explore beyond what the audio guide covers.

22. What’s the Weather Like?

This is SF, baby! Expect the unexpected. It can be sunny one moment and foggy the next. Mornings are often chilly and afternoons can warm up, so  layers are your best friend .

23. What About Wildlife?

Seagulls are the real VIPs here. Also, harbor seals sometimes hang out around the dock. No squirrels though, in case you were wondering.

24. Best Time to Visit?

Honestly, anytime is a good time, but  spring and fall  offer the best combo of good weather and fewer crowds.

25. Accessibility?

Alcatraz is pretty steep and hilly, but there’s a  S.E.A.T. Tram  that can take you from the dock to the cellhouse. Much of Alcatraz is steep and hilly, so be prepared for walking long distances uphill. The distance from the dock to the prison at the top of the Island is about .25 mile (.4 km) and the elevation change is 130 feet (40 meters). This is equivalent to climbing a thirteen-story building. Visitors unable to make the climb up Alcatraz’s roads may take advantage of the  S.E.A.T. (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) Tram  — an electric shuttle that meets each scheduled arrival at the Alcatraz dock and transports visitors requiring mobility assistance from the dock to the prison building. S.E.A.T. returns visitors requiring mobility assistance from the prison building back to the dock at regular intervals throughout the day.

The following areas are completely wheelchair accessible:

• Alcatraz dock area
• Prison building main floor
• All bookstores
• Museum displays
• Island theater
• Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing
• All Alcatraz City Cruises vessels

Miscellaneous 🔍

26. can i reschedule or get a refund.

If something comes up, you can change the date/time for a  $6.50 fee per ticket . Refunds? Only if you cancel  72 hours in advance .

27. Running Late, What Now?

You gotta make it to your specific ferry, otherwise, your ticket is forfeited. No refunds or rescheduling if you miss the boat. Literally.

28. Luggage Policy?

Travel light! No luggage, backpacks larger than 16” x 20”, or coolers are allowed on Alcatraz.

29. What is there To See and Do on the Island?

Places you can wander and explore during the Alcatraz Day Tour include:

• The historic Alcatraz Cellhouse as well as the Cellhouse audio tour
• Eagle Plaza, Recreation Yard, the Sallyport, and the Rose Garden
• Iconic views of the Cellhouse, Building 64, Water Tower, Warden’s House, Officer’s Club, and Model Industries Building
• Native American Occupation era political messaging on the exterior of many Island buildings
• Special access to “Red Power on Alcatraz: Perspective 50 Years Later” – an extensive exhibit telling the story of the 19-month Native American occupation of the Island on display in the New Industries Building

A new permanent exhibit: The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the U.S.

30. Can I Take Photos?

Absolutely, and you should! Just no drones, tripods, or commercial photography without a permit.

31. How Do I Get Back?

Ferries leave Alcatraz  every 30 to 40 minutes , and it’s all on a first-come, first-served basis.

32. Parking? Public transit?

No parking is available at Pier 33. There are fifteen commercial lots within a five-block radius of Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing with a total of more than 3,000 parking spaces. The closest and most convenient lots are located at 55 Francisco Street and 80 Francisco Street. Rates can range from as $40-$60 per day for parking. There are no parking validation services offered.

For the best public transportation route, please visit  511.org’s website  to map out the best public transportation routes. One option to get to Pier 33 is to take the F streetcar line that runs from Market Street down the Embarcadeo. This historic streetcar runs about every 15 minutes.

Alright, buddy, that’s a wrap! Visiting Alcatraz is more than just a ferry ride and a walk through an old prison. It’s a journey into America’s complex history, spiced up with incredible vistas and an eerie yet captivating atmosphere. So grab your camera, your sense of adventure, and maybe even a spooky story or two to tell when you get back. With these tips in your back pocket, you’re all set to rock “The Rock.” Trust me, this is one experience that’ll stick with you long after you’ve sailed back to the San Francisco shore.

Learn More and Plan a Trip to Alcatraz

Unlocking alcatraz: a deep dive into the four essential tours, travel like a pro: 17 tips for visiting alcatraz island, alcatraz history and how to visit, behind bars and beyond 21 movies and 14 tv shows that explored alcatraz – the rock, 17 fun and weird facts about alcatraz island and prison, want to explore san francisco on a private small group tour .

San Francisco Jeep Tours   is the ideal tour activity in San Francisco onboard their private tours. The customized city tour routes and entertaining tour guides cover lots of information on the “not to miss” attractions including Alcatraz.

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Alcatraz Island Golden Gate National Recreation Area 201 Fort Mason San Francisco, CA 94123

415-561-4900 United States Park Police Dispatch: Non-Emergency: 415-561-5505 Emergency: 415-561-5656

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Group Sales: What if I have 15 or more people in my party?

Are backpacks or luggage allowed on alcatraz island, is the cellhouse audio tour available in other languages besides english, how far in advance should i purchase tickets to alcatraz, how do i purchase tickets for others, do you offer any discounts to alcatraz, how many tickets can i purchase, how do i book tickets if i am a tour operator/travel agent, what time of year is the best time to visit alcatraz, how much time should i allow for the visit to alcatraz, what can you do on alcatraz island, how should i dress for alcatraz island when visiting, what time will we come back to the mainland from alcatraz island, where do i pick up my tickets, do i need to being a photo id if i print my tickets off at home, is there parking available, is alcatraz island accessible, may i cancel my reservation, how can i reschedule my visit, are minors under 18 allowed to visit without an adult, do you provide american sign language interpreters, should i book my tickets on the the day of my arrival.

The National Park Service has strict requirements for groups of fifteen people or more, so we're unable to handle requests beyond the maximum fourteen (14) tickets online. Group sales and youth group requests require additional paperwork, so we need to direct you to the Alcatraz City Cruises Group Sales Department. You may reach Group Sales directly by phone: 415-438-8361 or by e-mail: [email protected] .

Bags larger than a standard backpack, 16" x 20", are not allowed on Alcatraz Island. Small packs and bags are permitted. Each visitor is required to go through extensive security prior to boarding the ferry to Alcatraz. There is no storage available at Pier 33 or Alcatraz Island.

Yes, the Cellhouse Audio Tour (included in the Day and Night Tours) is available in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Mandarin, Portuguese and Korean.

Tickets to Alcatraz Island can sell out weeks in advance. We suggest that you secure your reservation as far in advance as possible to ensure that your desired tour date does not sell out.

Tickets cannot be purchased for others at this time. The name of the person purchasing the tickets must be present at the time of the tour.

We do not offer any discounts at this time.

Each visitor may purchase a maximum of 14 tickets.

Alcatraz Island tickets must be purchased in the client’s name and credit card. The client must be attending the tour with a valid photo ID and the credit card used to secure the reservation.

The best time of the year to visit Alcatraz is in the winter months (January - March) if you want to avoid long crowds. The best months to visit due to weather are April - May or September-October. The summer months can be cold and foggy on Alcatraz Island.

You should allow for at least 2 to 3 hours to visit Alcatraz Island.

There are guided programs offered by the National Park Volunteers and Guides throughout the day. The guided tours will take you into places that visitors rarely see. The Cell house audio tour is provided for you to listen to the voices of former inmates and former guards as they describe life on the rock. The Audio tour is available in eight languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Dutch, and Mandarin. There is also an orientation video shown every half hour describing the history of Alcatraz Island. Museums and bookstores are available. Nesting Season is from late September to February 1st.

You should bring a light jacket or sweater when visiting Alcatraz Island as the weather can be unpredictable. Winter months can be wet so we suggest that you bring a raincoat or wet gear. Comfortable shoes are necessary because much of Alcatraz Island is steep and hilly.

The ferry ride to and from Alcatraz will take around 10-15 minutes. The return trips are listed on the Ferry Schedule page. Times are also posted at the dock. Ferries are first come, first serve.

If you have not printed your tickets prior to your tour date then you may pick up your tickets at Pier 33 at the Prepaid Ticket booth (will-call). Please arrive half an hour (one hour during peak seasons) prior to your departure time to check in. You will need to present a valid photo ID and the credit card used to purchase your reservation.

Yes, your photo ID will be checked while you are waiting in line prior to boarding the ferry. One member’s name must match the name on the reservation.

On-Street Parking is available near the Fisherman's Wharf area but can be hard to find. Parking Meters take nickels, dimes, and quarters. There are at least 15 commercial parking lots within the area of Pier 33. The closest commercial lot is located at 80 Francisco at Kearny.

Alcatraz Island is steep and hilly. You should be prepared for long walks uphill. Visitors unable to make the climb around Alcatraz can use SEAT - Sustainable Easy Access Transport, an electric shuttle that transports visitors from the docks to the prison. The SEAT runs on a regularly schedule each day. Families with small children and strollers cannot use SEAT. Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. The following areas are wheelchair accessible: Alcatraz Dock Area, Prison Building Main Floor, All Bookstores, Museum Displays, and the Island Theater.

No, all Alcatraz Ticket sales are final. Cancellations are not allowed at this time.

All tickets sales are final. Requests to change your reservation must be made 72 hours prior to tour. There will be no compensation for no-shows.

No, minors under 18 are not allowed without an adult and the adult must be with them at all time on Alcatraz Island.

You can request Assistive Listening Devices at the ticket booth on Pier 33. Assistive Listening Devices may be used on all Ranger Led tours; but remember, you will need to request a device at the Pier 33 ticket booth. ASL interpreters are available on request. To request a Sign Language Interpreter we must be given at least five days advanced notice in order to guarantee that an interpreter will be available. To make a request please call the Accessibility Program Manager at (415)561-4958 or click here to email. http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/american-sign-language-interpretation.htm Individuals who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf/blind or have speech disabilities may utilize the following Federal Relay Service numbers: (800) 877-8339 Federal Relay Service (877) 877-6280 VCO (877) 877-8982 Speech to Speech (800) 845-6136 Spanish (866) 893-8340 TeleBraille

You should not book your reservation on the day of your arrival to San Francisco due to flight and travel delays. Changes and cancellations cannot be made on the same day of the tour under no circumstances.

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Thank you for visiting www.alcatrazislandtickets.com . Reservations and E-tickets are genuine for the tour which includes the ferry service. We also provide extended around-the-clock customer care seven days a week, including holidays. We're a private Customer Service and Booking company. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction. Please share your experience with us at: Customer Care . This website isn't affiliated with any government entity and isn't the official box office. Total at checkout may exceed face value.  

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Visiting “The Rock”: How to get Alcatraz Tickets and Everything Else you Need to Know

• San Francisco

Everyone has heard of Alcatraz Island, but only those lucky enough to visit San Francisco get the opportunity to visit the famous rock. We think that everyone visiting, or even living in San Francisco should experience this historic place. 

But a visit to Alcatraz comes with lots of questions, like how to buy Alcatraz tour tickets and where to board the Alcatraz ferry. Maybe you want to know everything your Alcatraz ticket includes. 

In this article, we will include all of that and more. Below you will find an outline to help you navigate this page.

What and Where is Alcatraz?

Alcatraz island hours of operation.

• How and Why you should Visit Alcatraz Island

How to Buy Alcatraz Tickets

• Alcatraz Tour Ticket Options and What they Include
• What to Bring
• What NOT to Bring

How Long to Plan for an Alcatraz Tour

Getting to alcatraz landing (pier 33).

• Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing

Basic Alcatraz Ferry Info

Onboard amenities , arriving on alcatraz island, walking up to the prison, the cellhouse audio tour, exploring alcatraz island.

• Island Amenities

Key Alcatraz Takeaways

Alcatraz island ticket faq, alcatraz island basic info.

Alcatraz Island , also known simply as “The Rock,” is an island in the San Francisco Bay. It has been many things over the years, but is most famous for being a maximum-security federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963. Notorious criminals were held in this inescapable prison, such as Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly.

Today, Alcatraz Island is part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area and managed by the National Park System. The Island offers visitors the opportunity to explore the history and natural beauty of Alcatraz at their own pace.

Alcatraz Island, also known simply as “The Rock,” is an island in the San Francisco Bay. It has been many things over the years, but is most famous for being a maximum-security federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963. Notorious criminals were held in this inescapable prison, such as Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly.

Alcatraz Island is open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Their hours of operation change with the season and tours offered, but ferry departures are scheduled approximately every half hour beginning at 8:45am.

Note: Certain sections of the Island are closed to the public during seabird nesting season. For example, the Agave Trail is only open in fall and early winter.

How and Why You Should Visit Alcatraz Island

The only way to visit Alcatraz Island is to take a ferry. It is an island, afterall! Alcatraz tour tickets include this ferry ride, entrance onto the island, the cellhouse audio tour of the prison, and more. Details depend on which Alcatraz ticket you choose. More on that below. 

Once on the island, you have the freedom to explore as you wish. Take the Cellhouse audio tour to learn about the prison from past prisoners and guards, walk the scenic Agave Trail for beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco, or join in on a free Park Ranger presentation. 

A visit to Alcatraz Island is a San Francisco must do. The views are stunning and the history is intriguing. There really is nowhere in the world like it.

Alcatraz Tickets

Morning Guided San Francisco Sightseeing Tour

Most complete and entertaining San Francisco city tour available. Stops to explore Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Land’s End, and Twin Peaks.

Guided Alcatraz and San Francisco City Tour

This full-day guided tour breaks you into Alcatraz and explores the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Land’s End and Twin Peaks.

So now that we have convinced you that you need to visit, let’s get to the Alcatraz ticket details you need to know. 

There is only one company that can dock on Alcatraz Island. You will see many other San Francisco Bay cruises and ferries mention Alcatraz, but these boats can only sail past or around the island. Make sure you buy the right ticket!

In order to buy the correct ticket, only purchase an Alcatraz ticket in one of the following ways:

• Online or over the phone through Alcatraz City Cruises. Tickets become available 90 days or more before the tour date. As soon as you know what date you want to go—buy the tickets! When buying Alcatraz tickets in advance, you will receive a QR code containing your tickets. Either print your tickets yourself or take a screenshot of this QR code and take it with you to the willcall ticket booth.
• In person on Pier 33 (Alcatraz Landing). If there are tickets available, they can be purchased in person at the Alcatraz City Cruises ticket booth on Pier 33. We do not recommend leaving this to the last minute, as the lines can be very long and many people are turned away when tickets sell out. 
• As part of a combination tour with a reputable company. Several tour companies in San Francisco offer tours that combine Alcatraz Island with a Guided City Tour . If you buy a tour through a site other than that link, make sure to read the fine print and confirm it includes access onto the Island, and not just a view of it.

Insider Tip: If Alcatraz tour tickets sell out for the date you want to go, try finding a combination tour like the one linked above. Often they have availability when City Experiences sell out. Plus you will get another awesome tour! Win, win. 

Alcatraz Tour Ticket Options and What They Include

When purchasing Alcatraz tickets through Alcatraz City Cruises, you will have 3 ticket options. Each comes with a different price tag and experience.

• Alcatraz Day Tour. This is the most popular Alcatraz tour ticket. This ticket includes the ferry ride to and from the island, the Cellhouse audio tour, Park Ranger talks, and free time to explore the island on your own, including the Alcatraz theater, several historic buildings, and interpretive exhibits. If you purchase a combo tour, this will most likely be the Alcatraz ticket you will receive. Adult day tickets are around $50.
• Alcatraz Night Tour. This tour takes you to the Island after dark and includes special tours, presentations, and activities not offered during the day. These Alcatraz tickets are limited, popular, and sell out quickly. Ticket prices are about $10 more than the Day Tour. Offered Tuesday-Saturday. 
• Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour. This is the Alcatraz Island ticket for the ultimate Alcatraz fan. Get access to off-limits areas within the Cellhouse on a live, guided tour. Groups are limited to 30 guests aged 12+. This experience also includes everything included in the Night Tour above. Ticket prices are over twice that of the Day Tour, and you can expect a tour duration of 4-5 hours. Offered Tuesday-Saturday. 

Before your Alcatraz Tour

After you have your tickets purchased, you can start looking forward to your visit! Here is what you need to know to prepare for your Alcatraz Tour. 

What to Bring to Alcatraz

• Photo ID and the Credit Card used to purchase your tickets 
• Ticket QR code and backup printed paper copy
• Bottled water (no glass)
• Jacket. The weather can be completely different on Alcatraz, and can change rapidly.
• Comfy walking shoes

What NOT to Bring to Alcatraz

• Big backpacks/bags. Nothing bigger than a standard size backpack will be allowed and there are no storage lockers available. 
• Anything with wheels (Ex. skateboards, roller skates, wheelie shoes…). Wheelchairs are the exception of course.
• Food. While they won’t stop you from bringing snacks to the island, you can only eat them on the dock. So we recommend most people just eat plenty beforehand and leave food at home. 
• Alcohol. Alcoholic beverages can only be purchased on your return ferry trip.

As a San Francisco tourist (or even a local!), we know that you probably have your day in the city planned out to the minute. So how long does a tour to Alcatraz take exactly?

The beauty is that the answer is mostly up to you! Once on the island you can choose any of the returning ferry departures offered for your Alcatraz ticket type. So especially if you purchase a Day Tour ticket for a morning ferry departure to the island, you could spend many hours there before heading back to San Francisco. 

Note: The Night and Behind the Scenes Tours have their own limited evening return ferry departures. This means there may be a little less flexibility with these options, depending on the season. 

We think the minimum time it would take to get to the island, walk up to the Cellhouse for the audio tour, and then catch a return ferry to the mainland is just under 2 hours. But that is without exploring anything else the island has to offer and assuming the return ferry is leaving at exactly the right time.  We recommend leaving 3-4 hours free to fully explore and enjoy Alcatraz Island. You may only be there once after all! Watch the documentary in the theater, listen to a ranger talk, explore the special exhibits, pose with the oldest lighthouse on the West Coast, and peruse the shop for a souvenir.

The Alcatraz Ferry

The ferry to Alcatraz Island leaves from Pier 33 along the Embarcadero, also known as Alcatraz Landing. Here it is on a map:

As you can see, it is right at the end of the Fisherman’s Wharf tourist area and under a ½ mile from Pier 39. This is great news because…

There is no parking lot at Pier 33.

There are pay-to-park lots nearby, the closest being the lot at 80 Francisco St just a couple blocks away. We would not, however, suggest you drive to Alcatraz Landing. Driving in San Francisco is often slower than other means of transportation, and the parking lots will definitely cost you more money. 

The best options to get to the ferry terminal include walking, the MUNI F line streetcar (Bay Street stop), bicycle rental, or rideshare app. Of course, if you book a combination tour, the tour guide will drop you off right where you need to be!

Insider Tip: There is limited, accessible parking at Pier 33 for vehicles with valid disabled placards. These spots are first come first served.

Even if you have your Alcatraz tickets in hand, you should arrive at the ferry dock no less than 30 minutes before your scheduled ferry departure . You will probably notice on arrival that people are already standing in line. While you can absolutely join the line if you would like, there is not much need. More on this later. 

Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing 

Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing consists of the ticketbooth, waiting and boarding areas, restrooms, and exhibits about Alcatraz. When you arrive, head to the willcall ticket booth line with your QR code and photo ID to pick up your tickets if you didn’t print them. Then you will be free to enjoy the area until boarding.

Now it is time to load onto the ferry and head to Alcatraz! There is a sign on Pier 33 that announces which departure is boarding. Just make sure to double check that sign and your ticket to confirm the departure time matches.

The Alcatraz Ferry has both indoor and outdoor sections , each with ample seating and great views. They do not oversell the ferry’s seating capacity, so if you have a ticket, you are guaranteed a seat on that ferry. 

When your ferry loads, all of the people standing in line usually rush straight to claim the best seats. But here’s the truth of the matter: most of those people end up standing along the railing to get the best views and take pictures anyway, especially on a nice day. 

And the ferry ride is only 15 minutes each way. So unless you have trouble standing that long, you will most likely want to stand along the edge and watch the views and ignore the seats entirely.

And boy is there a lot to see from the Alcatraz Ferry! The views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Angel Island , and, of course, Alcatraz Island itself are incredible. Make sure to bring a camera or a well-charged phone to capture the moment.

The Alcatraz Ferry is well appointed, especially for such a short boat ride. There are accessible restrooms and a snack and drink bar. 

Insider Tip: Don’t waste your precious time on the ferry standing in line at the snack bar! You only have 15 minutes to take in the views afterall. Eat before the ferry ride and enjoy the beautiful San Francisco boat ride you paid for. 

You can now preorder food and drinks for the return ferry journey. While this does maybe save you from waiting as long for your food, we don’t see much point. The Alcatraz Ferry is not known for their gourmet food or drink. So if you can wait until you get back on the mainland and have hundreds of restaurants and bars to choose from, that is our suggestion. 

Alcatraz Island Tour Details

Now we have made it to the really exciting part of the tour — your time on Alcatraz Island! Here are all of the details you need to know. 

First, an Insider Tip: When you arrive on Alcatraz Island and step off of the ferry, you will see a sign on the dock listing the return ferry departures for that day. Take a photo of this sign, especially if you don’t have a brochure.  

When you walk off of the ferry onto Alcatraz Island you will be welcomed by a Park Ranger. They will introduce you to the Island and some of the things to see and do. It is a good plan to pay attention to the intro, even if you are an Alcatraz expert, as seasonal changes and closures do happen. 

The walk up to the prison for the Cellhouse Tour surprises some people. It is just a ¼ of a mile and paved, but it is steep. When you reach the top you will have climbed the equivalent of 13 flights of stairs. There are flat sections where you can stop, rest, and take in the views throughout the route, so make ample use of those if you need to.  Those that have any trouble walking can reserve a spot on the electric tram. The S.E.A.T tram is a completely free service that transports folks up and down from the dock to the Cellhouse on a regular schedule.

The Cellhouse audio tour is the most popular thing to do on Alcatraz Island. It is a fantastic walking tour of the historic prison, including Al Capone’s cell, the recreation yard, the punishment cells, the prison library, and more. The tour is given by former inmates and prison guards. These narrators really bring a personal connection to the stories and bring the history to life. 

The audio tour is available in the following 11 languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, German, Japanese, and Mandarin, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian. There are also large print, braille, and sign language versions of the tour available upon request. The Cellhouse tour is also wheelchair accessible, with elevators available to reach the upper floor. 

Remember that you can pause the audio tour at any time . The tour runs 45 minutes, but you can make it much longer if you wish to. Pause at any time to look longer at something or even to go back and listen to a section again. The recorded tour really gives you a lot of flexibility. 

After you have finished the audio tour and handed in your device, you will leave the prison through the gift shop and be right where you started the tour. 

Insider Tip: You do not have to do the Cellhouse tour first. Most people will get off the ferry, climb the hill, and immediately start the audio tour. You absolutely can do it this way, but it is 100% not a requirement. If big groups at each stop during the audio tour will detract from your experience, consider exploring the island a bit first. 

Check out the documentary playing in the theater, hike the Agave Trail and look for seabirds, or go check out the lighthouse. If you time your start of the audio tour for inbetween ferry arrivals, you will have more elbow room.

There is more to do on Alcatraz than just the Cellhouse tour. 

Make sure to check out the exhibits on display. They cover a range of topics pertaining to the island like the Native American occupation, the American Justice system, and seabirds. You can find rotating exhibits in Building 64, the New Industries Building, and the Cellhouse. 

If you like old historic buildings, or at least the remains of them, you’ll be happy on Alcatraz. You can see the lighthouse (the first on the West coast!), Warden’s home, Officer’s Row, the Guardhouse, Officer’s Club, the power plant, the morgue, the water tower, and more, in just a quick loop around the island.

Don’t forget to check out Building 64 down by the dock either. This is where you will find the theater and bookstores. This is also where you can find out about the ranger programs on schedule for the day. The park rangers on Alcatraz are full of knowledge and they give great talks. 

Let’s not forget about the nature on Alcatraz! When you walk around you will see multiple gardens, some even planted by the inmates themselves. And if you are visiting from September-January, make sure to take a walk on the Agave Trail. The 0.7-mile trail is lined with eucalyptus and multiple species of agave. It begins near the dock and goes right down to the water where the birdwatching and views of the Bay are fantastic. 

Alcatraz Island Amenities

There are two public restrooms on Alcatraz Island. One is near the ferry dock and the other is up the hill near the Cellhouse and Lighthouse. 

There are basic snacks, water bottles, and hot beverages sold at the bookstore near the dock. Keep in mind that you can only eat in the designated area on the dock. 

The bookstore also sells… books! If you are interested in reading further about the island, definitely pick up a book for further reading. If you are looking for something a bit more souvenir-like, also take a look through the gift shop at the end of the Cellhouse tour. They sell things like inmate shackles, officer badges, and novelty clothing.

That was a lot of info! So here is a checklist of the most important takeaways from this article and things to remember:

• Buy your Alcatraz tickets in advance
• Bring your photo ID to the ticket booth
• Eat beforehand
• Leave large bags at home
• Bring a jacket
• Explore more of the island than just the Cellhouse

When is the best time to visit Alcatraz?

Alcatraz Island is open 362 days a year, but that doesn’t mean it is always the same experience. The most crowded times on Alcatraz are Holidays and weekends during the summer. If you plan to go during those times, definitely buy your tickets way ahead of time and be ready to share the space.

The best time to go to Alcatraz may be in the fall months. San Francisco often experiences a second summer, and fall days are sunny and warm. The Agave path will also be open this time of year, for an added activity and bonus for nature lovers. 

Having said all of that, there is something a bit perfect about visiting Alcatraz on a dark and dreary day too. The spooky weather just adds to the atmosphere of the Island. Just bring a rain layer and your sense of adventure, and you will have a great time, no matter the weather.

Where can I buy an Alcatraz Island ticket?

Purchase your Alcatraz tickets directly through Alcatraz City Cruises, either on this Alcatraz City Cruises website , on the phone, or in person at the Pier 33 ticket booth.  The other option is to combine an Alcatraz Ticket with another tour on a combo tour like this Alcatraz Island and Guided San Francisco City Tour .

What does an Alcatraz Ticket Include?

An Alcatraz tour ticket includes:

• Ferry to the island
• Cellhouse Audio Tour
• Access to special exhibits and Ranger talks
• Freetime to explore all open areas on the island
• Ferry back to Pier 33

Published on: February 5th 2024

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• Alcatraz Last Minute Tickets

By  Karen

Updated August 23, 2024.

Alcatraz Tickets Sold Out?

What to do when Alcatraz is sold out...

How do you get last minute Alcatraz tickets if Alcatraz is sold out for the dates you want to go?

Some good news: there is an abundance of Day Tour and Night Tour tickets at the moment!

As of early June, 2024, you can usually get day tour tickets the next day for Alcatraz.

Night tour tickets are also available next day...pretty amazing.

I don't know how long this remarkable situation will last, but enjoy it! I have never seen this; they would normally be sold out months in advance at this point.

Book them directly at day tour or night tour tickets. 

There are now basically three ways to get Alcatraz tickets for sold-out days:

• Cancellations
• Combination Tours
• Night Tour Standby Tickets

Important Change! City Experiences made a major change in their ticket sale procedures.

For many years, they offered 50-100 tickets  very early in the morning for same-day tickets for the Day Tours on sold-out days. That option is no longer available.

That means no more lining up early before the office opens for same-day, Day Tour tickets.

The good news: they are still selling a limited number of standby tickets for the Night Tour! See below for how to get them.

For years, visitors could line up super early at the ticket office to get a ticket for one of that day's Day Tours. It was a little desperate, but a great way to get a ticket when Alcatraz was sold out for weeks or months in advance.

Starting in early 2019, they ended that practice. There used to be lines forming by 3 or 4 am every day during the summer! But you could almost certainly score a ticket that way if you were determined.

A new booking system went into effect in 2019 and the extra tickets (from cancellations) that used to be sold early that morning are now fed back into the online booking system.

So hopefully, there will be more tickets available for people checking for last-minute cancellations.

1) Checking for Canceled Tickets

The official website for Alcatraz tour tickets, c ityexperiences.com , adds back the canceled tickets to their online ticket sales. The customer service rep told me they update these several times a day, so keep checking for the days you want.

In high season, the summer months, the tickets are often sold out a month or two in advance, but I've seen tickets pop up for a date one week in advance, in July, so it is possible if your timing is good.

A number of people have told me they've had success getting tickets this way.

An easy way to do it: stay on the window with the day you want and just keep hitting "refresh".

2) Alcatraz Combination Tours

There are also many other companies that sell tickets to Alcatraz in combination with their other tours.

If you don't mind paying more and just not doing the other tour, or if it's OK to do the other tour(s) as well, it's worth looking into some of the combination tours for availability.

Note: I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide all the free information I post on this website. Thank you for your support!

There's a great variety of well-liked, Alcatraz combo tours.

You can pair Alcatraz with a city tour , or a trip to Muir Woods , Sausalito , or a bay cruise , or a number of other San Francisco activities. 

These tours might have tickets...

The availability of these tours comes and goes. Check them to see their current status.

When Alcatraz is sold out, many of the popular combination tours are also sold out, but there are some companies that still have Alcatraz tickets for the sold-out days in summer and into fall.

I rounded up some popular tours to check out for Alcatraz tickets on sold-out days. 

Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour + Alcatraz.  Get Alcatraz tickets plus a 2-day pass on the double-decker tour bus, with stops at many of San Francisco's attractions. You can get off and explore then catch another one to continue. Bus tours include a walking tour of Chinatown and a Sausalito tour. $120. See  Hop On Hop Off & Alcatraz  for info and booking.

Alcatraz plus a City Bus Tour. See Alcatraz and tour the city sights by bus, with photo stops at the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park and Twin Peaks. All in one day. $160. See Alcatraz & City Tour for more info and booking.

Alcatraz & Bay Cruise.  Explore Alcatraz, and sail around the bay, past Alcatraz and Angel Island, and out to the Golden Gate Bridge. Great views out on the water (and go under the bridge - very cool). $138. See  Alcatraz & Sail the Bay  for info and booking.

Alcatraz & Ferry Building Food Tour.  Explore the Ferry Building with a guide and sample local, artisan foods in the morning, then head off to Alcatraz in the afternoon. $174. See Alcatraz & Ferry Building Tour for info and booking.

Alcatraz and a Guided Bike Tour (across the bridge).  Do Alcatraz one day, and the day before, explore San Francisco on a bike, with a guide who takes you along the SF waterfront and over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. $179. See  Alcatraz and Bike Tour  for info and booking.

Alcatraz, Muir Woods & Sausalito.  Tour Alcatraz and explore the ancient redwoods of Muir Woods all in one day, with a stop in the charming, seaside town of Sausalito. $109. See  Alcatraz, Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour  for info and booking.  

There are tons  of Alcatraz combination tours available. You can check out a long list of them at Alcatraz combo tours .

3) Night Tour Standby Tickets

Even though the same-day tickets for sold-out Day Tours are a thing of the past, you still have a chance at getting out to the Rock on a Night Tour (which I think is even better than the Day Tour).

During the high season, they typically have about 20 standby tickets for sale (and around 10 tickets during the winter).

How the standby tickets work. Each day that the Night Tour runs (Tuesdays through Saturdays), they will have standby tickets for that evening's tours for sale at the ticket office at Pier 33.

The number sold is limited, so it's first come, first served. The ticket office opens at 9 am. If you get a standby ticket, you have a chance to get on the Night Tour for that evening. After they board the passengers for that sailing, they allow the standbys on if there is room (no-shows or cancellations).

If you don't get on that evening, you go back to ticket office that night and get a refund. They are open till 7 pm.

What are your chances? According to staff members at the pier, there's no guarantee of getting on with a standby ticket, of course, but there's a very good chance that you'll get out to Alcatraz that night. Hurray!

Another way of getting Night Tour tickets .

Now you can also find tours combining other attractions with the Alcatraz Night Tour.

When the night tour is sold out, which it often is, you can check out some of the combo tours for night tour availability. 

Note: since Covid, the night tour combos hadn't been available, but they started up again in August 2023.

Three combo night tours are currently available (as of August 2024):

1. The  Alcatraz Night Tour plus a one hour boat tour cruise  on San Francisco Bay. Sail all around the bay and out under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Check the Alcatraz Night Tour/Bay Cruise combo for rates and availability.

2. Alcatraz Night Tour with Muir Woods and Sausalito. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge with a stop at a viewpoint. Explore the ancient redwoods, then see the charming seaside town of Sausalito. Next it's off to the night tour of Alcatraz.

See  Alcatraz Night Tour/Muir Woods/Sausalito  for info and booking.

3. Alcatraz Night Tour & Yosemite Day Tour.

See Alcatraz at night the first day, with entry to the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39. Next day, get picked up at your hotel for an all day trip to Yosemite, including a tour of Yosemite, then three hours to explore there.

See  Alcatraz Night Tour/Yosemite  for info and booking.

One more way to get on the sold-out Night Tour: get a ticket for the Behind the Scenes Tour because it includes the night tour.

On the Behind the Scenes Tour, after you have your guided tour of areas not generally open to the public, you are free to explore the island and join in the night tour activities.

This is a longer shot because the Behind the Scenes tour is more limited and those tickets are even more likely to be sold out, but you never know!

See my tips on the Behind the Scenes Tour .

Note:   Need tickets within the next four days?

The tour companies that book the combination tours have to give City Experiences the names of visitors at least four days before the scheduled tour.

As a result, if you need tickets sooner than four days, the only way to get Alcatraz tickets is watching their website for cancellations or scoring a Night Tour standby ticket.

A long shot...

If Lady Luck is smiling upon you, you just might get a same-day ticket at the ticket booth. 

Normally, there aren't any tickets available for the same day, even in winter, but it's possible someone is trying to sell an extra ticket they can't use and the ticket taker will let you know.

One time I was going on a Behind the Scenes tour with my son, and he decided not to go. I let the staff at the ticket booth know I had an extra ticket (the tour was leaving within the hour), and a short time later they found a taker. 

We agreed on a price and the staff issued him a new ticket in his name. (Alcatraz tickets have to be in your name, hence the recommendation not to buy directly from someone offering you a ticket at the pier.)

So you never know; it's worth checking in at the ticket booth on Pier 33.

Seasonal variation in difficulty

The hardest time to get Alcatraz tickets  historically is during the summer tourist season: June, July and August .

The Day Tours are usually booked up two months in advance, and the Night Tour and Behind the Scenes Tour are booked up even farther out.  It's crucial to book the Alcatraz tours well in advance if you want to visit in summer.

But even heading into the summer season in May , and towards the end of the season in September , tickets are booked up far ahead.

However , since Covid, the tickets (especially Day Tour tickets) have been much easier to get.

Amazingly, next-day tickets have been available all last winter and  still there into June of 2024.

This is unheard of in the history of Alcatraz tickets, so take advantage!

Alcatraz tours are also very popular during many of the year's holidays, and they tend to sell out well in advance during those times as well.

During the Christmas Holiday season, it tends to be especially tough to get tickets.

However, after the holiday season is over, by the second week of January, things tend to get back to the winter pattern of ticket sales when it's much easier to get tickets.

Memorial Day Weekend  (May 25-27, 2024) is usually very busy, booking up far in advance, and Easter Week  (from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, March 24-31, 2024) also tends to book up fast.

Tickets for the four-day Thanksgiving Holiday  (November 28-Dec 1, 2024) are hard to get as well.

The same pattern holds for the 3-day Labor Day Weekend in early  September (Aug 31-Sept 2, 2024).

The first week of October  every year is Fleet Week in SF and there's a surge in the demand for Alcatraz tickets for that week also.

Off Season - Winter Tickets

The only time it's normally "easy" to get Alcatraz tickets is in winter, and that's only the Day Tour  tickets: in November (but not over the Thanksgiving Holiday), and in  January & February , after new year's and before spring.

In winter , you may get same-day tickets online or in person, depending on how early you start trying, but you can usually get tickets for most or all of the day tours for the next day, including the coveted Early Bird tour. 

March is iffy; later in March it starts to get booked up again, especially if it's close to Easter break (Easter Sunday is March 31, 2024).

Even in winter , there's normally still a wait to get tickets for the night tours and the Behind the Scenes tours.

The Night Tours  tend to be sold out about 6 weeks in advance even in the slow season, and the Behind the Scenes tours  about 2 weeks in advance. (They're much easier to get at the moment; as of December, 2023, only one week out for both of them.) 

Something cool for California residents. Residents get a good deal on Alcatraz tickets during the slow season in January and February every year.

The Buy One Get One Free sale is available for select Day Tours during those two months. Check with cityexperiences.com for booking and more info.

Missed the Boat?

What if you've missed your boat that day? Refunds aren't available, but you do get one more shot at it. You can wait by the standby line sign when a ship is boarding, and if there are any no-shows, they will let people on after the ticketed passengers have boarded.

On a very busy day at the end of December, I saw 8 people waiting in the standby line for the 12:30 pm boat, and all 8 got on.

This is now the only "standby" boarding allowed for Alcatraz Day Tours. (The Night Tour standbys also wait here for their tours.)

Beware of Scalpers

You may run into people offering to sell you their tickets at the dock at steep prices. This is risky for a couple of reasons.

First, selling scalped tickets is a misdemeanor in California, not something one would want to be involved in, and second, there's a good chance the tickets won't be usable.

But since people can print their own tickets from their own computers, dates and times could be easily altered, and when the ticket bar codes are scanned getting on the boat, they may not be for the right day or time (or the printout may be a duplicate already sold to someone else!).

Also, at the departure gate they may check to see if the name on the ticket matches yours.

The tickets have to be in your name; they can't be transferred after purchase, to avoid scalping. Oops. Best not to take the chance.

The exception: if someone has tickets they can't use, they can take them to the ticket booth at Alcatraz Landing and let them know.

Then the staff will let people trying to purchase tickets know about the available tickets and issue them the tickets if they want to buy them. But that is doing it through City Experiences and with their approval.

What about  Stub Hub  tickets? The problem with buying "second hand" tickets for Alcatraz is that the tickets are officially not transferable; they are issued in the name of the person who purchased the tickets.

If they check names at boarding, the tickets won't be honored unless the purchaser is present, though they usually don't check. And those tickets are usually quite expensive.

Deciding Which Alcatraz Tour to Take

There are the four varieties of Alcatraz prison tours.

For more information on what the various Alcatraz tours are like, see:

• Alcatraz Day Tour
• Alcatraz Night Tour
• Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour
• Alcatraz + Angel Island Tour

Alcatraz Bay Cruises: the Next-Best Alternative

If none of the above options works, there are bay cruises that sail around Alcatraz, but don't stop at the island.

You get a great view of Alcatraz, and a trip out under the Golden Gate Bridge, which is a treat in itself.

Bay Cruise.  There's a nice, one-hour ferry cruise from Pier 39 that circles Alcatraz and also takes you out under the Golden Gate. $38. See bay cruise  for more info and booking.

Catamaran Cruise.  There is also a very popular, 90-minute sunset sailing tour on a catamaran that goes out under the Golden Gate, as well as sailing around Alcatraz Island. Gorgeous views of the bay, bridge and city, plus complimentary wine and beer, and snacks on board. $80. Leaves from Pier 39. See Adventure Cat cruise  for more info and booking.

For more cruise options, see my recommendations on what I think are the best  San Francisco Bay Cruises  for details and tips about the various bay tours.

For more information on Pier 33, the ferry ride, what to bring, parking, transportation, and what to expect on the island, see my tips on  visiting Alcatraz Island .

Need a parking place? Check out my list of best places to park for Alcatraz .

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Premier Private Custom Tour Specialist

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Best Alcatraz Island Prison & San Francisco Day Combo Tour

Explore alcatraz island and tour san francisco city top attractions in one day custom trip.

• Description

Cancellation & Refund Policy

City & alcatraz trip overview:  .

This phenomenal tour package will not only take you behind the scenes at Alcatraz, but also to several San Francisco popular and secret sites and attractions within Lombard Street, Sea Cliff district, Alamo Square, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, and many more where larger bus tours are prohibited.

San Francisco and Alcatraz Tour Description

This exciting combination tour is a truly memorable experience. It is divided into two parts; the morning discovery guided tour of San Francisco and the afternoon self-guided tour of Alcatraz Island:

Morning Tour Description: Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in San Francisco and drive you to a number of San Francisco’s iconic sights and eclectic neighborhoods which include the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Park, Stow Lake, Haight-Ashbury, Twin Peaks, ‘Painted Ladies’ (Victorian homes) at Alamo Square, Civic Center, Downtown Union Square, Nob Hill, Chinatown, Lombard Street, Coit Tower, Legion of Honor, North Beach, Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, the Historic Presidio, Inspiration Point, Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf and much more. Please refer to our tour itinerary below for details on each site. This four-hour guided tour is done via a luxury SUV that can host private parties of up to 7 people. Unlike bus and other large group tours, our SUV vehicle allows unrestricted vehicle access anywhere in San Francisco. Your tour guide will stop anywhere along the way for you to take pictures or walk. Whether you are traveling with your family and kids and want to entertain the whole group, or by yourself wanting to take impressive photographs of the scenery and landscape, your tour guide knows exactly where to go.

Fisherman’s Wharf is located near the Alcatraz cruise terminal and is a very popular tourist destination because of its family-friendly nature. You may want to consider staying at a hotel near Fisherman’s Wharf, which is home to sidewalk seafood vendors, shops with fun San Francisco-themed gifts and souvenirs, boutique stores filled with fashionable clothing and accessories, the Wax Museum, the Hard Rock Café, Cable Cars, Ghirardelli Square, hotels with views looking out on the bay and hundreds of seagulls. Another great activity is riding the cable cars up and down the steep hills or riding San Francisco’s historic trolleys along the Embarcadero which runs along the waterfront.

More information on the Alcatraz Island self-guided tour

Please note that much of Alcatraz Island is steep, so be prepared to walk uphill and downhill. The distance from the dock to the prison at the top of the island is about 1/4 mile (0.4 km) and the elevation change is 130 feet (40 meters). Take your time and enjoy the panoramic views!

It is extremely hard for us to get tickets to Alcatraz Island particularly during the peak season from March to October. Because of this, we require that you reserve your tour at least 9 weeks in advance. If you book your tour less than 4-6 weeks prior to your trip to Alcatraz, please contact us so we can assist you. Space is based on availability as we cannot guarantee Alcatraz tickets until they have been delivered to us.

As with all other tour operators, Golden Horizon Travel is not allowed to sell individual tickets to Alcatraz Island without combining Alcatraz with our City Tour. If you are simply looking for individual tickets to Alcatraz, please contact www.alcatrazcruises.com

What to bring?

• Have something to eat before you embark on the Alcatraz cruise and bring a couple of bottles of water
• Leave enough time for the audio tour before the last cruise departs
• Take a camera with you with extra memory card storage and batteries
• Bring extra layers as it may get windy and cooler on the San Francisco Bay
• Wear comfortable walking shoes

- WHY CHOOSE GOLDEN HORIZON TRAVEL?

At Golden Horizon Travel, we offer the highest standard of customer service and go above and beyond to meet and exceed your expectations! We are a reliable, local, and innovative tour operator specializing in private and small group tours. We focus on private and small group tours because we all know how slow and inconvenient large bus tours can be. By choosing our private tours, you are choosing quality over quantity. Golden Horizon Travel is also a Better Business Bureau A+ accredited business and has been in operation since 2004. We are certified and licensed by the State of California as a Tour Operator company and we are commercially insured. Our hundreds of five-star reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor place us at the top of all tour companies in San Francisco and as a leader of private custom tour specialists in California. You will not be disappointed with the quality of custom tours and unique travel experiences.

Our tours can be customized to best fit your travel needs whether it is the actual tour itinerary, or your departure time and location. Your personal tour guide will also suggest the right attractions and activities for families traveling with kids. Included in the package are complimentary refreshments that can include soft drinks, water bottles, or alcoholic beverages for special occasions.

Tour Prices

Private tour by suv.

This SUV tour is totally private and the price is per person.

Book this Tour by SUV

Select date from calendar.

Select Number of guests

Private tour by van.

This VAN tour is totally private and not available for public or individual reservations. The price is per party and not per person.

Book this Tour by VAN/A 14-PASSENGER MINIBUS

Included:  Pick-up in San Francisco downtown or Fisherman’s Wharf, all applicable taxes, 4-hour guided tour, award-winning audio self-guided tour of Alcatraz Island including ferry and Alcatraz tickets.    In winter, we pick up earlier due to Alcatraz ferry’s schedule.

Not included:  Meals, driver’s gratuity, drop off at the hotel is not included as you sail to Alcatraz for a free afternoon self-guided tour of the Island, and then return to your hotel on your own.

Alcatraz Ticket Pricing & Policy: The listed price of Alcatraz tickets is $45.25, which is included in your tour package price. However, if you are solely looking to purchase Alcatraz tickets, we are not permitted to sell them as standalone items. This restriction is due to our agreement with Alcatraz City Cruises. You can contact them directly to purchase tickets without combining them with a private guided tour.

Term & Refund Policy

General terms, declined transactions, other terms and information, additional terms & tips for visitors and hikers, more terms and miscellaneous, alcatraz tour terms and conditions.

The only online calendar available on our website is extremely hard to manage and update on daily basis. This calendar governs all our tours and available in over 10 different languages which multiplies the number of tour options by 10! When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, we cannot simply block the calendar for these particular date(s) because this will prevent all other clients from booking any of our tours in 10 different languages, this would put us all out of business! Alcatraz represents only 1% of our tours and it’s extremely impossible to block the calendar each time Alcatraz is sold out. For that reason, we have amended these terms and conditions on our website stating clearly unequivocally the following terms regarding Alcatraz tour and tickets:

-All our tours including Alcatraz are subject to availability even if the transaction is approved. We do reserve the right to void or refund your transaction when Alcatraz tickets are sold out, this is totally out of our hands as the only provider of Alcatraz tickets and tours are governed by the U.S. National Park Service.

-We do require 8 business weeks in advance when booking our Alcatraz tour during the peaks season, holidays and weekends. The peak season refers to the period of April to the end of October.

-We reserve the right to offer you alternative tours when Alcatraz is sold out, if you decline our offer, we simply and fully refund your transaction which takes about 10 business days before your funds are available to you as stated on our terms and conditions page available in all languages.

Common mistake some customers do: When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, customers rush desperately to book directly Alcatraz tour on our website without taking the time to review our terms and conditions in this regard, we are not to blame in this case as we made it extremely clear that we have no control over Alcatraz tickets when they are sold out, for that reason we do require  at least 8 business weeks booking in advance!

Important: Tour guides are not allowed to conduct guided tours to Alcatraz or Muir Woods. Your Alcatraz adventure is a self-guided tour as stated on our website (an audio self-guided tour on your own). Also, in order to keep the cost down, we therefore do not include a drop-off at your hotel after you visit Alcatraz, so you don’t pay overtime or have a driver waiting for you while visiting Alcatraz Island. The Fisherman’s Wharf hotels are walking distance from Alcatraz landing. Public transportation is very affordable and available everywhere.  ***We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone ***

General Terms  

– Reservation and Confirmation: As soon as you book online, a merchant receipt is generated automatically and sent to you via email. We will also confirm your reservation by email and send you a tour voucher or email confirming your booking date, tour and pick-up time. This tour confirmation or voucher is only valid for the specific date(s) you reserved on our website, and only valid for the names listed on the booking. You can’t transfer the names or ask for a different date(s), as we have other tours to honor. You may not change the tour date within 15 days from the date of the scheduled tour you booked, and there will be no alternative days offered.

In an effort to honor all tours, we reserve the right to partner with other tour operators, freelancers, and/or our sister companies. The exact name and contact information of your tour operator will be stated on your tour voucher and the trip confirmation will be issued especially for you after we received your approved transaction.

-All tours are subject to availability as we may get several tour requests at the same time. Approved payment transactions do not guarantee your tour unless it has been confirmed via email.

Declined Transactions: 

Please note that when transactions are declined, we do not receive any information in this regard, so  do not expect your reservation to be in place unless you received written confirmation.  Please contact us asap, but do not expect us to honor your tour without an email confirmation and tour voucher from us.

If your booking was declined by your own bank, this is often due to a mismatch between your bank information (such as the names on the credit card, zip/postal code or billing address) compared to the bank information you provided on our website when placed your order. Sometimes, transactions are declined due to insufficient funds as well. Your tour(s) will not be confirmed until your new transaction is approved by your own bank. We apologize for the inconvenience, but your own bank did so to prevent fraud and protect your credit card information or due one of the above factors.

All our tours are subject to availability even when the transactions are approved. We will get back to you as soon as possible and let you know if the required tour(s) and date(s) still available. Also, all our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise stated in the email or tour voucher confirmation we will send you soon, once your transaction is approved.

We reserve the right to offer you suitable substitutes or changes to your itinerary, tours or services due to special events, weather conditions, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, unpredictable circumstances, unavailability and/or due to last minute reservations. We assume no responsibility for delays caused by accidents, breakdowns, unforeseen accidents or events, road, weather conditions and/or all other circumstances beyond our control. We do not guarantee to arrive to, or depart from, any point at a specific time for the same above considerations. However, we will do our very best to honor your tour itinerary and schedule accordingly.

Wheelchair and Handicap Accessibility issues:  We apologize but our vehicles are not equipped with wheelchair access. There is no room for a wheelchair in our vehicles unless it’s a very small and foldable wheelchair. However, the main concern is the customers’ ability to get it in and out of the vehicles for liability issues. When kids, seniors, and wheelchairs are part of the tour, this will slow down the trip, and requires overtime. $179 will be charged to your credit card for each additional hour added to the tour after 12 hours by van, and $129 per hour when touring by SUV.

Pets:   Pets are not allowed in our vehicles out of respect for those who have allergies to pets.

Smoking:   Our vehicles are also non-smoking.

Clothing:  Please be prepared for cold weather, slippery roads and hiking trails, so have comfortable waterproof hiking shoes to walk on the snow in winter and spring. This long day-tour is hard on kids and seniors, we therefore recommend the overnight tour package.

Parks, Attractions and Site’s Closures:  We are not responsible, nor liable, for road and weather conditions. State and national parks’ closure can happen at any time and without a prior notice, due to bad road and weather considerations. No refund will be issued, regardless the reasons for which the trip may not reach its destination. If you cancel or stop the tour for personal or medical reasons, there will be no refund or change of tour or dates offered either.

Guided tours in foreign languages: All tours in foreign languages are subject to extra fees to cover tour guides or freelancers we may hire to honor your tour in the required language.

Travel Agents:  Travel agents are liable for 20% gratuity when their customer does not tip the driver or tour guides. We require customers’ full name and contact information from all travel agent or the tour will be cancelled. Travel agent are also liable for all overtime when their clients do not pay for, and a credit card will be needed on file. Due to high cost of conducting business in California, we barely cover our business expenses and wages, therefore, all our tours are non-commissionable rates.

Gratuity:  15%  to 20% gratuity is required and customary in the USA. Generally, a tip may vary between 15% to 20% of the total purchase amount, or it can be a flat amount that is near the appropriate percent. It really depends upon the situation, and your generosity because without gratuity tour guides can’t thrive in this expensive state of California, and without tour guides, we can’t run this business. Thank you for your generosity and understanding.

Please note that tour guides are not allowed to conduct guided tours to Alcatraz or Muir Woods. Your Alcatraz and Muir Woods are self-guided tours as stated on our website (an audio self-guided tour on your own for Alcatraz prison). Also, in order to keep the cost down, we therefore do not include a drop-off at your hotel after you visit Alcatraz, so you don’t pay overtime or have a driver waiting for you while visiting Alcatraz Island. The Fisherman’s Wharf hotels are walking distance from Alcatraz landing. Public transportation is very affordable and available everywhere.

Alcatraz tours and tickets and the use of our online calendar:  The only online calendar available on our website is extremely hard to manage and update on daily basis. This calendar governs all our tours and available in over 10 different languages which multiplies the number of tour options by 10! When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, we cannot simply block the calendar for these particular date(s) because this will prevent all other clients from booking any of our tours in 10 different languages, this would put us all out of business! Alcatraz represents only 1% of our tours and it’s extremely impossible to block the calendar each time Alcatraz is sold out. For that reason, we have amended these terms and conditions on our website stating clearly unequivocally the following terms regarding Alcatraz tour and tickets:

-All our tours including Alcatraz are subject to availability even if the transaction is approved.  We do reserve the right to void or refund your transaction when Alcatraz tickets are sold out, this is totally out of our hands as the only provider of Alcatraz tickets and tours are governed by the U.S. National Park Service.

-We do require 8 business weeks in advance when booking our Alcatraz tour during the peaks season, holidays and week-ends. The peak season refers to the period of April to the end of October.

-We reserve the right to offer you alternative tours when Alcatraz is sold out, if you decline our offer, we simply and fully refund your transaction which takes about 10 business days before your funds are available to you as stated above under section “voided and refunded transactions” clause.

Common mistake some customers do: When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, customers rush desperately to book directly Alcatraz tour on our website without taking the time to review our terms and conditions in this regard, we are not to blame in this case as we made it extremely clear that we have no control over Alcatraz tickets when they are sold out, for that reason we do require at least 8 business weeks booking in advance!

The misconception about private tours:  There a misconception about private tours. Yes, public large bus group tours are more cost-effective for the operator, than private tours. In essence, the input cost of private tours and public tours are roughly the same - both provide one driver or a tour guide, one vehicle, same trip length whilst both companies assume the same business expenses and commercial insurance liability. However, private tour operators (like ours) make 90% less profit than public group tours, because all our resources are dedicated to a small group (couples or families), whilst the pubic tour operators make 10 times more profits thanks to the volume(quantity)! We, on the other hand, focus on quality as we never share our private tours with other customers. Yet, although we provide a higher quality tour service, and incur even greater expenses in many cases, the profit margins are limited. This makes some of our private tours barely profitable due to the increasing cost and liability of conducting business in California.

– If you are subject to car or motion sickness, please consider asking your doctor for recommended medication. Some visitors underestimate this aspect and end up visiting only 50% of the tour as they suffer from this or altitude sickness and make an excessive number of stops along the way. Please consult your doctor and ensure you have the appropriate medication in advance.

– Consider leaving unnecessary luggage at your hotel and travel light so you have more room in the vehicle.

– Wear clothes and shoes suitable for walking and hiking (Snow shoes in winter are recommended, and a swimsuit to enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool and hot tub).

– Bring sunscreen, bug spray, extra memory cards, and batteries for your camera (if applicable).

– Warm layers for cooler weather and a raincoat for summer showers.

– Drink lots of water due to the high altitude and don’t hike alone, as we offer fully-guided tours.

– We are not responsible for injuries or accidents that may occur during this trip, in or out of Yosemite National Park. Please read our < href="/terms-conditions">terms and conditions for more information.

-Expect rugged terrain with narrow, steep, and very curvy hiking trails to the sequoias. Also, be prepared for a downhill hike and then back uphill to the parking lot. The trail is very steep right at the beginning on the way back up but mellows out as you get closer to the parking lot. It depends on the grove your driver will choose for you, but they all require hiking. The elevation at the trail head of both top groves is about 6,200 feet (1,860 meters). The most popular is the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, the distance is about 2.5 miles (4 km) round trip and takes about 1.5 – 2 hours of hiking, and recommended for everybody who can hike including kids.

-California Gold Country: When Tioga Pass road (located between Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra where a major highway leads to Tahoe) is closed due to heavy snow that may start as early as October until about June or July, we will drive through the infamous, yet legendary, California Gold Country on day 2 and day 3 of your adventure.

-Please note that we may start in Lake Tahoe first, and then head to Yosemite National Park or vice versa. This will depend on the hotels’ availability, the season, the weather and road conditions. We do not work on commission, so you are welcome to book your own hotel, but if you don’t want to deal with these details, we can take care of that on your behalf when you choose the option ‘hotel included’ from our shopping cart.

Hotel Reservation: To keep costs down, we charge each guest only about $100 per night, for a three-star hotel in and around Yosemite Valley area, based on availability. However, if you have high expectations of the hotel accommodation, and wish to upgrade, we recommend that you choose your own hotel and book it directly with the required resort or hotel. The Majestic hotel (the former Awhanhee) is the only 4-star hotel in the Yosemite Valley where a suite may go from $600 to $1200 per night based on availability and the season. Please note that there are a very limited number of hotels in Yosemite, and they are often sold out 6 to 12 months in advance, so the sooner you book the better. However, we often manage to get a hotel reservation nearby Yosemite Valley, in one of the small resort or motel style hotels in the area, for reservations closer to the tour date.

Foreign Languages:  Our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher. Some foreign languages are subject to additional fees. For all foreign languages, you must book a Private Tour and not a semi-private tour to enjoy the tour in the required language (subject to availability). Additional fees may apply on any additional foreign languages. All semi-private tours are conducted in English and can be shared with other clients. Semi-private tours will no longer be available on our website. Please book your private tour asap as our tour bilingual tour guides are booked up months in advance.

Miscellaneous:  Meals and tour guide/driver gratuities are not included in our tour price unless indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.

Tour prices do not include additional fees including wine tasting, accommodations, and entry fees to see attractions and sites, winery tours, unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.

-All vehicles operated by Golden Horizon Travel Inc are non-smoking according to state and federal laws.

-Golden Horizon Travel Inc reserves the right to hire independent tour guide/drivers, subcontractors and/or contractors to facilitate our tours, shuttle services and travel packages.

-In the event that we are unable to facilitate your tour due to weather and/or road conditions, we will attempt to reach each location, site and destination using alternative routes, but we are not liable nor responsible for these unforeseen weather/traffic conditions. No refunds will be available.

-All photos or videos taken by our staff of our customers or passengers, during the capacity of the tour, trip or transfer, may be included on our website. Customers hereby agree to the use of these photos and videos and under no circumstances can customers dispute.

-No substitution or refunds for any unused part of the tour(s) will be issued. All sales are final.

-No refunds will be issued for a no-show or unused portion of the tour.

-All refund and/or voided transactions paid on our website by credit or debit cards or via PayPal may take up to 2 weeks before you receive the funds (refunds) back into your account.

Our hot-air balloon rides are no guaranteed to depart and arrive back in Napa Valley and subject to last-minute cancelation for weather considerations. Golden Horizon Travel inc reserves the right to fly anywhere within 80-mile radius of Napa Valley dependent on the weather conditions.

-We reserve the right to refuse service to any person or business who may refuse to comply with our safety instructions, our tour itinerary, or to anyone who may pose a threat to our customers and/or our tour guide-drivers. Screaming at or insulting tour guide-drivers or fellow passengers or third-party businesses and subcontractors is not acceptable under any circumstances and will terminate and cancel your tour without any refund. Discrimination against a customer or a tour guide–driver for any reason is not acceptable either under any circumstance.

Cancellation due to unforeseen weather conditions:  Weather/Unforeseen Circumstances like fires, landslide, road closure, vehicle breakdown, employees or driver’s medical emergency or due other weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances; we revere the right to offer you alternative tours, destinations for the same amount of time.

Modifications of these terms and conditions:  Golden Horizon Travel Inc and its affiliated websites or contractors reserve the right to change any of these terms and conditions under which this website is offered. We reserve the right to change our web contents, update our terms and privacy policy anytime and at our discretion without a prior notice.

ALCATRAZ TOUR TESTIMONIALS

Alcatraz island & prison tour reviews, authentic testimonials.

San Francisco & Alcatraz - Great Experience

I have always wanted to go to Alcatraz Island with my wife, and we finally got to do it. I consulted the online reviews and decided to go with Golden Horizon Travel. We booked Yosemite 3-day tour , Silicon Valley and San Francisco tours through them; they exceed our expectations.

Alcatraz Island Tickets "The Rock"!

We took a tour with Golden Horizon as we got cancelled at last-minute by another company due to the lack of Alcatraz tickets, which we prepaid thru the interne, but, when we arrived at Fisherman's Wharf to embark the ferry, they had no reservations for us! Watch out when you book online and trust Golden Horizon reviews – they saved the day. You’ll not be disappointed.

Alcatraz prison evening tour.

We booked the Napa Valley and Alcatraz combo tour thru Golden Horizon tour, almost 2 months in advance, and we are so glad we did. It was so hard to find availability for Alcatraz night tour. Napa Valley is beautiful, and the wines are outstanding, but Alcatraz was our favorite experience.

Must See attraction while visiting San Fran!

Alcatraz and San Francisco combo tour is highly recommended. It’s super fun, informative and saves time. Great ride across the san Francisco bay, the ferry was crowded but it was cool. The walking tour with headphones is awesome and informative.

Alcatraz at night tour is spooky but awesome

Unfortunately, we were not able to get same day tickets to Alcatraz Island, but our tour guide managed to get us night tickets to Alcatraz prison the next day. We were so lucky and grateful - we even booked 2 more tours with this company – they are the best! Alcatraz at night is a must-see attraction for all visitors. The rangers’ talk and the audio-walking guided tour complete each other

Alcatraz , Muir Woods and Sausalito Combo Tour

Muir Woods and Alcatraz now require advanced booking, which we didn’t know. I’m so glad we found this company, they accommodated our last-minute request, and provided us with tickets to muir woods and Alcatraz... Leo is an amazing tour guide.

Alcatraz at night is a must-see activity

Alcatraz at night is a must-see activity while visiting San Francisco Bay Area. The now- abandoned maximum-security prison can be visited at night, and it’s much better than the day tour. Golden Horizon and Adam deserve 10 stars!

Alcatraz day trip from San Francisco

We recommend the San Francisco and Alcatraz tour package. We got to see the best places in the city and enjoyed a free afternoon walking tour at Alcatraz Island. The views of the city and the golden gate bridge from Alcatraz are spectacular.

Our Bucket List Overflowed

Our Bucket List Overflowed, a wonderful day in an amazing park with the perfect tour guide!

Katheryn Kennedy - London, UK

Breathtaking adventure in Yosemite Wonderland

Breathtaking adventure in Yosemite wonderland , and a great private tour of San Francisco combined with Alcatraz. We found this company on Trip Advisor & we were not disappointed!

The Jamesons. Sydney, Australia

The best experience ever!

A wonderful tour package in Yosemite National Park and Alcatraz with Adam. This tour has totally exceeded expectations! The best experience ever!

Erin M. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Unforgettable & Fantastic!

Unforgettable & Fantastic! trust their reviews and believe what you read on Trip Advisor; they are consumed professionals.

Chris G., Dallas, Texas

Just Magnificent & Just Stunning!

5-stars to our tour guide Adam, he made this journey unforgettable. He is an expert photographer too!

M. Hachadourian. Greenwich Village, New York

Fun, informative & very professional

10 Stars! Fun, informative, flexible, indulgent, patient,& very professional guides in a warm & engaging manner.

Jarmila Sramkova. Prague, Czech Republic

Believe every good thing you read about this tour company

Believe every good thing you read about this tour company; you will not be disappointed!

Mike and Jane - Nashville

Treated like King & Queen!

Treated like King & Queen! OUTSTANDING and A MUST See!! Without any hesitation, 5 stars!

Loreena’s family Madrid, Spain

They are consummate professionals

They are consummate professionals who really care a lot for their customers' wellbeing and experience- a must do!

Rob & Marhta Baton Rouge

Unforgettable experience!

Impressive! Their Ability of organization, understanding , customizing , entertaining , educating - make them the best at what they do. What unforgettable experience with Buddy!

Natasha C Calgary, Canada

Outstanding bucket-list destinations!

Outstanding tour package to Yosemite ,Mammoth Lakes , Sequoia national park , Death Valley , San Francisco and Alcatraz with Adam and Jonathan . I've run out of superlatives to describe this unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime experience ...10 STARS + & Highly Recommended

Holly Millard- Holly Millard, IN

"Stop reading reviews and book with Golden Horizon!"

You won't be disappointed if you use Golden Horizon for all your tours! Top notch service!

Susan.S- McAllen, Texas

"Top-Notch VIP Service!"

A 6-star experience! Their tag line is to “exceed expectations” and they certainly delivered. From the moment of making a booking to the actual tours - Superb!

Superdin0-Singapore

A sight definitely worth seeing!

A Beautiful and quiet forest of redwoods

I highly recommend this Muir Woods and Marin County outdoor adventure with Golden Horizon Travel, even If you are in average physical shape. There are all kind of stops and easy hikes along offering 360 degrees breathtaking views.

Stop reading reviews and book with Golden Horizons

Stop reading reviews and book with Golden Horizons. .... we highly recommend this tour company, their tour guides are passionate, fun and very knowledgeable. San Francisco is amazing city and Muir Woods is so beautiful and enjoyable. Highly recommend

Outstanding tour guides & fun tours

My husband, daughters and my son , and I took a day tour of San Francisco, and second day adventure to Muir Woods and each with Adam to Muir Woods and Stinson Beach. Both trips exceed our expectations.

I highly recommend this tour company when Alcatraz tickets are sold out

We purchased the combo tour through Alcatraz Tours since the date was sold out for the solo Alcatraz Tour. Adding the city tour and Angel Island was a great trip by ferry as it took us around Alcatraz Island and Angel Island. Alcatraz island is so beautiful! I loved the Alcatraz audio tour as well. The guided tour is extremely interesting and provided an accurate picture of the story of Alcatraz prison and inmates. It was a good length of time and we got a great deal of information without becoming too long and boring. I highly recommend this tour company ‘Alcatraz Tours Inc.’ When Alcatraz tour and prison tickets are sold out, they have a reserve of Alcatraz tickets on hold purchased in advance. Their private guided city tour is a 5-star experience and worth every penny.

Saint Louis, Missouri

5 stars Travel Services: Tranquility in the hands of professionals.

Our travel agent in Veracruz Mexico booked the San Francisco tour package with hotel accommodation included. However, the online tour agency with which we originally booked our Alcatraz and Muir Woods package turned out to be a fraud, a fiasco, a company with little reliability, we were calling by phone and we have never been able to get through, they are locate overseas!

Two days before leaving our country, our Alcatraz tours were canceled at the last minute and there was no way to get tickets for Alcatraz or any of the destinations because they were sold out.

Fortunately, we found this local company Golden Horizon Travel: www.goldenhorizontravel.com and this was the only tour operator that could help us with our last minute reservations, they provided us with excellent customer service and always responded promptly in Spanish, and they even assigned us a Spanish tour guide: our both excursions were totally private and in Spanish, our tour guides were incredible, very professional, attentive and cordial and the best of all is that the agency also got us the tickets to visit Alcatraz Island and also for the Redwoods Muir Woods Park despite this last-minute booking.

We also took advantage and went to Sonoma Valley and Marín County with them. This Company offers best tours and many options to choose from for all travelers; they are very professional, and they go out of their way to offer to please their customers. All the other websites we found were resellers or fake or they were not even located in California, none of them bothered to answer our phone calls or emails, and neither did they offer guided tours in Spanish.

MY best advice for everyone, look for Local Operators and avoid websites and companies that are not in San Francisco! This Tour Operator is underrated and deserves more credit for their excellent customer service.

100% WORTH THE MONEY & HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Silvia Sampiery

We visited Alcatraz prison at night - it’s Spooky!

We traveled from San José, Costa Rica to San Francisco in California to visit Alcatraz Island and Yosemite National Park. Initially, we could not find a specialized tour guide in Spanish to take us to Yosemite park and to see the giant sequoias. But thank God we found this tour company. We were lucky as they also had tickets to Alcatraz Island at night, even though it was sold out everywhere else they managed to secure our booking for the nigh tour the same day. What a great surprise to discover that the booking agent of the company spoke fluently Spanish, she was very friendly and helpful. Not only did she get us a private tour of Yosemite in Spanish with a bilingual guide, but she also managed to get us Alcatraz tickets for the night tour at a last-minute. That was totally unexpected and super cool.

We cannot thank you enough for your excellent customer service and for making the extra effort to get book Alcatraz tickets for us despite this short notice. The night tour of Alcatraz is a bit “spooky”, but very interesting, the US park rangers accommodated us with only a small number of visitors, guided us through the prison and provided a lot of historical information about Alcatraz prison and famous prisoners like Al Capone, as well as the story about the escape from Alcatraz” El misterio de la fuga de Alcatraz”.

Lucia and Yolanda M. Vasquez

San Jose Costa Rica

I highly recommend this combination Alcatraz and city tour

We booked the combined tour of Alcatraz and San Francisco through Alcatraz Tours. The date we wanted to book to visit from Alcatraz Prison was sold out, but it's the only local travel agency that really helped us with our last-minute booking despite the odds. All the other websites that we tried are fake or are not even located in California! None even bothered to answer our telephone calls. I highly recommend this combo Alcatraz /city tour and this tour operator. Well worth It.

Phillipe-M.

Toulouse, France

Alcatraz night tour is a must-do but book your tickets WELL in advance!

We booked our Alcatraz night trip with Alcatraz tours in February, but we were not visiting San Francisco until late May. This was the right thing to do as all Alcatraz night tours got sold out in March! The ferry trip to Alcatraz island was quite nice and took us less than 20 minutes to reach Alcatraz island. We really enjoyed this night excursion of the prison. No, it was not creepy at all.

Dress appropriately/ bring layers - it gets cold and foggy out there.

Eartha-brghamsa

Northern Cape, South Africa

Alcatraz prison night tour is awesome

My wife and I booked our Alcatraz prison tickets online through this tour company, combined with a trip to Napa Valley wineries. We love beer, but we wanted to try some wines for a change. So, we tasted great deal of red and white wines in Napa wine country. Then, we drove back to San Francisco and got dropped off at Pier 33 to take the ferry to Alcatraz island.

Alcatraz night tour was on our bucket-list before we even travelled to California, we were so excited when they dropped us off at Alcatraz ferry lines. The night tour boat departed from the dock at 3:50pm. We enjoyed great views of the city of San Francisco and the Golden Gate bridge as we were sailing to Alcatraz island. Once at the island, US park rangers split visitors into groups and started the night guided tour at different times. If you have difficulty walking up hills, they have a tram you can ride both ways at no extra cost. The narration of the self-guided tour is really informative and exciting.

We highly recommend Alcatraz prison night tour to all travelers. The only thing I didn’t like is that many sections of Alcatraz island are closed to the public at night unlike the day tour. That’s why they only allow one group per night, I guess they want to they keep it under control.

Use this tour company, you won’t be disappointed.

Lee Sanders

Alcatraz night tour with our kids - absolutely excellent and worth every penny

We booked the night tour with Alcatraz Tours, and that was an excellent tour experience. Really well organized and informative. We learned a lot about Alcatraz prison on the night tour, and I can thoroughly recommend Alcatraz night tour even for families with kids. Wear comfortable flat walking shoes and extra layers as it gets chilly on the island, and I also recommend a flashlight and an extra charger for your smart phone. That’s was an excellent trip for the whole family and worth the money and time.

Our Night Tour of the Rock “Alcatraz”

My wife and I really enjoyed our night guided tour of Alcatraz prison with the local tour guide who was a volunteer. The ferry ride was quick and smooth offering nice views of the San Francisco skyline and bridges. US park rangers were very helpful, engaging and informative and the audio guided tour was a good experience.

Tampa Bay, FL

Wonderful night tour experience like a “fairy tale”.

Wonderful night tour experience with lots of history and interesting stories. Alcatraz prison is not like any other jail where inmates could escape from so easily. We realized how hard it must have been to get out of ‘The Rock’ and still wondering how those 3 guys escaped Alcatraz at night! It’s like a ‘fairy tale’, spooky but in a good way... the pace of the tour was just right and well done.

“Muir Woods and Alcatraz combo tour”

Our Muir Woods & Alcatraz combo tour was exactly what we needed as we only had one day in San Francisco before we traveled to Napa Valley for a wedding we were invited to. The tour is well worth the money that you spend. The big redwood trees in Muir Woods forest are impressive but the forest was a bit crowded as well as Alcatraz island. However, this combo tour must be on everyone’s bucket-list. Both places are very popular and worth the money. I would recommend starting the tour early to visit the redwoods and beat the bus tours and large crowds. This way you get to enjoy peace and quality time in Muir Woods before it gets too busy.

Alcatraz prison is a former maximum-security prison located on Alcatraz Island, but the island is much smaller than we through. The trip by ferry took us about 20 minutes from the Fisherman’s Wharf to the island. I recommend Alcatraz electric carts for those who can’t walk uphill. My grandmother couldn’t walk all the way up to the prison, but their electric cart was very convenient for her. We took more time in the prison and returned to the Fisherman’s Wharf in late afternoon. We also enjoyed the Fisherman’s Wharf souvenir shops, seafoods restaurants and got to see the seals there. I recommended in this tourist area after Alcatraz tour.

Molina-cpr@mex-df

Definitely a 5-star: Alcatraz and redwoods experience

Whether you live in San Francisco Bay Area or visiting San Francisco from the US or overseas, this day trip is a must-do for all ages and even for folks with mobility issues. Alcatraz island and prison are one of the most handicap accessible tours and places I've ever been on. Alcatraz guided tour is amazing. Yet, it can be a little confusing unless you follow the guided trail step by step.

The ferry ride to Alcatraz island offers beautiful views of San Francisco downtown, the islands in the bay like Angel island, Treasure island and bridges like the Golden Gate bridge. Be on time for the ferry departure or you get turned away as they only allow the exact time and departure stated on each ticket. Alcatraz tickets are so valuable and hard to find, we were lucky we got a last-minute cancellation from Alcatraz Tours, otherwise we would have missed out on the best attraction in California. Many visitors show up at last minute by the ferry terminal looking for tickets and willing to pay any price to get their hands-on tickets to Alcatraz, but these rare tickets and get sold out weeks and months in advance.

Definitely a 5-star experience for this Alcatraz and redwoods combo tour. Our tour guide drove us away from Muir Woods traffic jams to a small forest of redwoods in Marin County. We were the only one a roaming through these tall and towering redwoods. It was so nice to enjoy nature without putting up with traffic and a horde of people pushing and shoving like in Muir Woods. I’ve been there, and I honestly prefer these alternative groves of redwoods we went to visit in Marin county.

This tour company and tour guide are highly recommended.

Reviewed 2 years ago

Great way to see Alcatraz & San Francisco !!

We did not expect to see so much of the city in one day. Jon, our tour guide, was very friendly, informative and an accommodating guide. Thank you so much for a great day! This tour is highly recommended.

Reviewed yesterday

Mytraveltyme

Dr.Yin Chan:

Awesome Alcatraz island & Redwoods combo tour

This day trip to Alcatraz island is awesome regardless how foggy the bay area can be. We got to Pier 33 on time, and the tour guide took care of our Alcatraz tickets. We didn’t have to worry about parking or reservation, as he showed us around before we embarked on the ferry to Alcatraz prison.

There is a good self-guided audio tour of the cells and we could hear the guards and inmates’ voices in the background. It’s like living the experience and getting the feel of how this morbid and remote federal prison operated. Don’t forget to pick up the headphones as you enter the prison on top of the hill. My mom can’t walk so we hopped on the so called “SEAT” electric tram (Sustainable Easy Access Transport).

Alcatraz island is a national park - there are park rangers on hand who help visitors with all kinds of information. I recommend that you book this redwood and Alcatraz excursion in advance. We had a hard time to find ferry tickets to Alcatraz until we landed on this website www.alcatraztoursf.com. Their combo tour is worth the money and saved us the hassle and stress. The operator was very helpful, and their tour guide was knowledgeable and professional, yet very funny. He adjusted the tour to our kid’s mood and crankiness. Don’t go to Muir Woods forest. I heard terrible things about this overcrowded place. Let this tour company take you to this hidden forest of redwoods somewhere nearby San Francisco in Marin Count. I can’t remember the name of this redwood forest, but we were the only ones there when we got there, the trees are massive and impressive, plus the landscape is picturesque. Last, get inline early to Alcatraz ferry terminal so you can get the best seat in the house on the third floor!

Reviewed 11 months ago

Muir Woods and Alcatraz combo tour

Our Muir Woods and Alcatraz combo tour was exactly what we needed as we only had one day in San Fran. The tour was well organized, and we certainly got our money's worth ...

Muir woods national monument definitely worth a detour. This remote park of big redwoods is very beautiful and a fantastic option for families with young children. I recommend this combo tour of Alcatraz and redwoods. It is worth the money and saves a lot of hassle and worries, as both places require special permits and advanced reservations.

Montreal , Canada

ALCATRAZ IS ABOVE EXPECTATIONS

Despite Muir Woods traffic and large crowds, we enjoyed our trip. But we loved Alcatraz island even more. This is a must-see attraction when vising the Bay area. I recommend this tour company. The tour guide and this company are awesome, very reliable and responsive. We had a good experience and the tour with their tour guide was informative and fun.

Margie GAILLO

“Awesome bay cruise around Alcatraz Island”

This is a great alternative tour experience when Alcatraz tickets are sold out. We were disappointed as we didn’t manage to get Alcatraz tickets. Next time, we will anticipate and book Alcatraz tickets in advance. We were happy with this trip, as it combined our city private tour and the ferry cruise around Alcatraz island. We managed to get to see the city top attractions in a half-day tour, and that was the perfect way to do it. The cruise ship trip was over an hour, a trip that took us in the San Francisco bay, around Alcatraz Island, and under the Golden Gate Bridge. We had a trip the next day to Hearst Castle with this tour company, and it was our last day in California. We had a blast in Big Sur, and we enjoyed Hearst castle tour very much. It was a long day trip, but well worth it.

[email protected]

“Alcatraz Island is outstanding, but book your tickets in advance”

Alcatraz Island tour is outstanding, and the prison is a stunning place. This is my favorite attraction in San Francisco Bay Area. Book your Alcatraz ferry tickets in advance, as these valuable tickets get sold out weeks and months in advance, we booked our Alcatraz tickets two months in advance. Tour companies are obviously not allowed to sell Alcatraz tickets individually anymore, so we had to book Alcatraz prison tickets combined with a city tour. Our tour guide, Jonathan, was amazing and fun. We highly recommend this hassle-free combo tour. It’s fun, informative and exciting and worth every penny. I got to say, the energy and the impression you get when vising Alcatraz is something you need to experience for yourself.

Fran02558@Real

“The Beautiful Island of Alcatraz”

From the city tour to Alcatraz Island, we and our kids had an amazing adventure. It is a bit cold in San Francisco Bay in summer ironically. But were very interested in the criminology and forensic stories of Alcatraz and San Quintin prison like Charles Manson, the Zodiac, Fong “Little Pete” Ching, Zebra killers, Felix Mitchell, the Unabomber, Scott Peterson, and Clarence and John Anglin and Frank Morris and their famous ‘Escape from Alcatraz’. Wow! the feeling visitors get when stepping onto Alcatraz island from the ferry boat is quite eerie and a bit creepy, I know, but very exciting and interesting.

“Reserve Alcatraz tickets in advance when visiting San Francisco”

Book your Alcatraz tickets months in advance before you travel to San Francisco. This is a must-see tourist attraction when visiting San Francisco and Northern California. A police officer from South Africa, who traveled with us on Alcatraz ferry, had a stop-over at SFO international airport. He joined us just to visit Alcatraz prison, and we had fun together. Dress in layers. Ironically summer is not warm in San Francisco Bay, as weather is cool and gets foggy in the Bay. The views of Alcatraz from San Francisco are spectacular. This combo tour is a must-do and it saved us time and money. Thank you, Mary. You are a great tour guided and very funny - our kids loved your jokes and stories about Alcatraz prison and San Francisco neighborhood.

jensen@realestate

“Alcatraz prison worth a visit and above expectation”

Alcatraz prison is just as portrayed in the Hollywood films about Frank Morris (a movie starring Clint Eastwood) about Alcatraz maximum-security prison. The cell as seen in the Clint Eastwood movie “Escape from Alcatraz” is still preserved. No trip to San Francisco is complete without visiting Alcatraz Island. It took me 2 tours to Alcatraz before I felt the strong atmosphere and energy you get after stepping off Alcatraz cruises ferry and onto the dock. This city tour combined with Alcatraz is an exceptional combo trip, I recommend for all visitors.

Angiesd87@marvisiat

“Alcatraz and San Francisco, the best worry-free tour package”

We were lucky to find availability for the Alcatraz tour. We booked this all-inclusive San Francisco guided tour combined with Alcatraz as a tour package. It was a worry-free reservation all included, and the perfect way to indulge in San Francisco if you have limited time. It was a convenient, affordable, and fulfilling combo trip of the city top attractions and a self-guided tour of Alcatraz prison. A must-do when visiting the City by the Bay, and worth every penny you spend. Our tour guide drove us up to the Alcatraz ferry terminal, redeemed our Alcatraz tour voucher and issues our ferry tickets. We had an extra 45 minutes before the ferry departure, so we had a quick snack at Alcatraz cafe at Pier 33, be prepared before you embark on Alcatraz ferry, no grocery or food service is available on Alcatraz!

[email protected]

“Alcatraz tour should be on everyone’s bucket list”

This is an incredible tourist attraction of San Francisco Bay area. If you plan on visiting San Francisco you got to add Alcatraz prison tour to your bucket-list, more than Muir Woods or Napa. Alcatraz Island history itself is a very interesting story, before it was ever used as a federal prison. How anyone could even escape from this remote Island and maximum-security prison? The audio headphone guided tour is informative, the stories and sounds of prison officers makes the guided tour so real and the story comes to live. I took amazing pictures to show my friends in Japan. This trip is wonderful and recommended even for solo travelers like myself.

Akiko87@tok-japan

“Great combo tour opportunity of Alcatraz prison”

This was our first visit to California and San Francisco. We did a city tour with this tour company and found out how hard it was to get Alcatraz ticket., Luckily, our tour guide Patricia, who was so professional and friendly, called the company and arranged last-minute tickets for us to visit Alcatraz Island. The experience lived up to our expectations and the reviews we had read about Alcatraz tours turned out to be so true. We recommend this combo tour to all families with kids like us, who have no time to scan through all these websites out there looking for ticket’s availability. This is a very serious and professional tour company, and they exceeded our expectations.

[email protected]

“San Francisco Alcatraz combo tour”

Book your Alcatraz tickets immediately when you plan your trip to San Fran. We had initially planned to book Alcatraz Island night tour, but it’s impossible to get due to limited availability. The day tour to Alcatraz was not bad at all. The fascinating story of Alcatraz prison is phenomenal, and the city tour completed this package trip. That’s was a good company to work with from the moment we booked on their website to the day of the trip. And their tour guides are fun and professional.

Dan025@vact025

“Top Notch 5-Star City Private Tour with Alcatraz Prison”

Don’t waste your time looking for Alcatraz tickets and availability. Book with this local tour company, and you will not be disappointed. We booked the full day San Francisco city tour by SUV. The city tour exceeded our expectations and our tour guide, Pat, certainly delivered. Superb service and highly recommended, you’ll be in good hands. We recommend the private city tour where you can stop anywhere you want and visit the monument or neighborhood of your choice were bus tours are restricted. We also recommend Alcatraz audio guide to explore this former jail. It’s fun and informative.

[email protected]

Fascinating combo tour of San Francisco and Alcatraz

Reserve Alcatraz tickets in advance, this tour was so much better than I was expecting. You get a ferry ride from San Francisco Pier 33 to the Alcatraz island and then you get to visit Alcatraz former prison. It was rainy and foggy that day, but still well worth the trip. The trip was very well run, and we were welcomed in the dock by a ranger who let us know some key information and rules before visiting the prison. Don’t forget to grab something to eat before heading to Alcatraz, as there is no food service on the island. You can stay as long as you want on Alcatraz island, but don’t miss the last ferry. I think they have like one ferry every 30 minutes. Alcatraz had a reputation for being the toughest prison in the country. How did all these top criminals like Al Capone survive it? I recommend doing the audio guided tour twice, if you have time. It’s so informative, but too much information can be a bit overwhelming for first time visitors.

[email protected]

Why everybody is so crazy about Alcatraz prison?

Why everybody is so crazy about Alcatraz prison tour? Alcatraz Island is dim, cold, morbid, and crowded. We felt nothing, seen nothing, heard nothing that made it so appealing to our group, a bit overrated in our opinion. Why have criminals become victims and stars? They deserved to be incarcerated in Alcatraz prison! Some visitors were even asking for autographs from a former inmate of Alcatraz who was there that day, but this makes no sense to me. But I can understand some visitors who are interested in criminology. I’m giving a 4-star review not for Alcatraz tours but for the city experience with our tour guide Alan. He made our city tour very exciting and fun. He was very accommodating and attentive to our needs. He stopped the car half-way day down on Lombard street to take photographs of us in the middle of the street and took us to visit the fortune cookies in Chinatown. That was fun! I also recommend stopping at the ferry building, this is a great place for the foodies and wine lovers, and we had a great time there.

[email protected]

“Alcatraz and San Francisco, the best part of our trip to California”

Alcatraz Island is an incredible tourist attraction. We did the tour with our kids, and they loved it too. The audio tour was well done, we took tons of pictures, hanged out and enjoyed the views of the city from Alcatraz Island. The views are spectacular from Alcatraz island. Go to the officers’ garden side that overlooks the Golden Gate bridge but watch out for the old steps. They are very steep and have no guards. Army officers’ spouses who were stationed on the Island in the early 1900s, planted all kinds of vegetables there (The beauty on the beast).

We skipped some places while touring the city so we could take our kids to visit California Academy of Sciences located in the Golden Gate park. This museum is very underrated. They got a World-class Aquarium, planetarium, and natural history Museum. The guided tour inside and on the existing roof appeals to all ages, and it was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend it for families with young kids.

Biz-field@bratslva

Alcatraz prison tour is very interesting and enjoyable

This was a very interesting tour we took to Alcatraz Island. We had all heard of Alcatraz and had some sketchy knowledge of its history. However, they have done a really good job of telling the real, non-Hollywood, history of the island prison. This tour company is well organized – everything from the city guided tour to the lines waiting to get on the ferry, embarking and disembarking, and setting up the visitors with audio tour headsets. You have an assigned time to leave on the ferry, but the return to the mainland is at your leisure. The self-guiding audio tour was well done, and you can move at your own pace. This can help you avoid pockets of crowds. While there are parts of the island closed to the public, you pretty much have free reign to wander and explore the public areas at your own pace.

It is a bit of hike up the road to the entrance to the prison and beginning of the tour. There are also steps to maneuver once inside. This could be problematic for those with mobility issues. They do have a shuttle or tram that can take visitors up and back down. So, the tour can accommodate most visitors, even if some areas would not be accessible.

Definitely worth the visit. Consider booking this San Francisco and Alcatraz prison combo tour. It only takes a couple of hours after the city tour and is an interesting spot to visit. Thank you, Alcatraz Tours, and many thanks to our tour guide Victor. You guys are so passionate and knowledgeable. I am very glad we didn’t book with the other websites who sell tours all over the world. They have nothing local and so messy with no customer service.

We recommend your company and tour guides.

ClearwaterJen

Clearwater/

Tampa Bay Florida 350131

Alcatraz Island Tour: Well Worth The Time & Money!

I have been to San Francisco many times but never went to Alcatraz. This was a VERY IMPRESSIVE experience! Everyone should do it once. We booked Alcatraz and UC Berkeley Campus combo tour with our kids. It was a very well organized and worry-free combo tour, all included. Berkeley is a beautiful city and the University of California is an amazing place to visit... Alcatraz tour itself is a bucket-list destination which I can recommend to all visitors. Alcatraz prison audio self-guided tour really offers lots of detail about the prison, who was housed there and the overall history of Alcatraz ‘The Rock’. We actually met the author of a book who was once incarcerated at Alcatraz during the escape and breakout. Very, very interesting.

Need to get tickets well in advance! The hike up the hill is pretty steep, but if you take your time, anyone can do it. I Highly recommend this combo tour for families with kids!

[email protected]

Yeah, we did it! We made it to Alcatraz and escaped from the rock!

We can now check Alcatraz tour off our bucket-list :-) Yeah, we recommend this combo adventure of Alcatraz and city tour. We had nothing to worry about, we got picked up at our hotel, did the city private tour, and Alcatraz prison self-guided tour. Worth every penny.

Phoenix, Arizona

Great, humbling experience with awesome views of San Francisco from Alcatraz

This is a must do when visiting San Francisco Bay area. It begins with a custom city tour of San Francisco top sights and places all included...then followed by the ferry ride to the island, which offers exceptional views of the Bay, the Golden Gate, and the SFO skyline. Would advise you to line up early to board the ferry to get good seats. Once you reach the island, after a brief introduction, you are free to roam the island. My advice would be to go straight to the top for the audio tour, which is the best part of the experience. The tour is awesome, and you learn so much about the prison life. Once you are done with that, you can walk around to other places like the gardens and the industries. Be careful with the return ferry, as the lines are usually very long to get on. Enjoy the views while coming back as well.

Alcatraz tickets are often sold out weeks in advance. We were lucky that these guys accommodated us with our last-minute booking...this is a reliable local tour company and highly recommended.

Atlanta, Georgia,

Big Redwoods and an excellent horseback ride on the beach for our whole family!

Even though the wooded trails were a bit wet for us to ride due to the fog, the experience was amazing, and we all enjoyed it very much. The horses looked happy, well cared for, and these were some of the best-behaved horses we’ve ever interacted with. The staff was very friendly. It didn’t take us too long to reach a laid-back beach, so peaceful and beautiful.

After the horseback ride, our fun and very nice tour guide drove us to Santa Cruz where we had lunch in a restaurant located on the Wharf. We ordered a seafood platter which was fresh and yummy, and the views made it the perfect location for our family.

For me personally, the highlight of our trip was our tour of a beautiful forest of big redwood trees in Santa Cruz mountains. I’ve been to Muir Woods before, but this state park was less crowded than Muir Woods and the redwood trees are much bigger and older in Santa Cruz mountains.

On the way back to our hotel in San Francisco, the tour guide made a quick stop at Apple’s new headquarter in Silicon Valley. We visited the visitor center and the store (while our son was sneaking out to fly his drone over Apple’s new and amazing architecture “it looks like a spaceship from the sky”.)We highly recommend this outdoor adventure and this business.

Annapolis, MD

Alcatraz prison tickets combined with a city tour

My husband and I decided to book the combo tour of Alcatraz and city for our parents and in laws. We were a group of 7 persons, and our local tour guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. Booking a private SUV tour versus the public bus tour is the ideal way to see 4-times more sights and attractions than the bus tour option, and you get out as often as you want to visit places like Lombard street, the painted ladies, china beach, fort Miley, mission murals... we had lots of fun. San Francisco is a beautiful city and Alcatraz island prison tour is a must-see for everyone. This tour company was the only provider who had Alcatraz tickets available as all other tour companies we called were sold out. Alcatraz prison tickets are so hard to get, so watch out and ensure you do book them in advance. Also, be sure to eat before you get on Alcatraz ferry as there was no food available on Alcatraz island.

Bring extra layers and expect fog and wind in the middle of the San Francisco bay.

El Paso, Texas

Alcatraz Island day trip with our 4-year-old son.

We recently visited Alcatraz Island prison with our 4-year-old son. He was not bored and loved the ferry ride and was running inside and outside Alcatraz prison like we never seen him before. My husband is a police officer and he loved this tour. We recommend Alcatraz tour for all ages.

An awesome horseback ride on the beach and Alcatraz tour

We got desperate as we couldn’t get our hand on Alcatraz tickets. Alcatraz Island tour and ferry tickets were sold out when we tried to book them online (6 weeks in advance). We tried every tour company in San Fran, but no luck. Until we landed on www.alcatraztoursf.com and they made our day. We couldn’t believe it.

We had to book a combo tour to get our hand on Alcatraz prison tickets, so we signed up for a horseback ride on the beach. It took place in Half- Moon Bay, and although it was a cool day it was worth it. The scenery along the Pacific Coast Highway is breathtaking.

This tour company is very reliable, and their tour guide Mary was amazing! We felt like we had a friend in town - it was more than a tour - a real and fun experience. She even drove us through the Golden Gate Park, and we stopped for a snack and beer tasting at the Beach Chalet, an ocean front restaurant with stunning view of ocean and the beach. Highly recommend

Shsdh@pvltd

We got desperate as we couldn’t get our hands-on Alcatraz tickets. Alcatraz Island tour and ferry tickets were sold out when we tried to book them online (6 weeks in advance). We tried every tour company in San Fran, but no luck. Until we landed on alcatraztoursf, and they made our day. We couldn’t believe it.

We had to book a combo tour to get our hands-on Alcatraz prison tickets, we signed up for a horseback ride on the beach. It took place in Half-Moon Bay, and although it was a cool day, but it was worth it. The scenery along pacific coast highway is breathtaking.

This tour company is very reliable, and their tour guide Mary was amazing! We felt like we had a friend in town - it was more than a tour - a real and fun experience. She even drove us through the Golden Gate Park, we stopped for a snack and beer tasting at the beach chalet, an ocean front restaurant with stunning Views of ocean and the beach.

Highly recommend

Martin Navaro

San Francisco combo adventure - a worry-free tour package

We were lucky to find and book this all-inclusive San Francisco / Alcatraz tour package. It was a worry-free reservation and turned out to be the perfect way to indulge in San Francisco (we had little time on our hands...). This day trip to Alcatraz was a convenient, affordable, and fulfilling combo tour - a must-do when visiting the City by the Bay.

The private city tour covered quiet a lot of places we could have never managed to find on our own, and we stopped almost everywhere along the way... worth every penny we spent.

Alcatraz and Silicon Valley worry-free combo tour

We wanted to cover 2 iconic places during our stay at a VRBO near San Francisco. Alcatraz island and Stanford University were on our list, and we did just that. This Alcatraz prison and Silicon Valley was a short-day trip and was a very good fit for us and our tight schedule. Our sons get bored quickly with long day tours, but they were rather interested in both places. The guided tour we had at Stanford was totally private and we were transported in a golf cart as my husband is a Vet and was injured in Iraq. This was the ideal way to cover as much as possible of Stanford huge campus and without walking a lot . Both tours boosted our teens’ motivation and they started asking more question afterwards.

This combo package worth the money and highly recommended

Tour combo de Silicon Valley y Alcatraz

We visited Apple’s new campus, and the so-called Apple ‘spaceship’ architecture is amazing. The visitor center is well designed, and we had a guided tour with an Apple employee on site. We also visited google, Palo Alto and Stanford. I wish we had the whole day, but we had to head back to San Francisco to get there on time for our Alcatraz prison tour, which was the highlight of our day adventure.

Highly recommended

Martha Leon

Barcelona, Spain

Fantastic horseback ride near Muir Woods and Stinson Beach

We were picked up by Pat, a nice Irish lady and a wonderful tour guide. She drove us through Mill Valley where we stopped for breakfast before we visited Muir Woods - a peaceful small forest with big and towering redwood trees. The trail through Muir Woods is flat and easy, and there are paved paths for those wanting a casual stroll or more challenging trails. We did both trails along the creek, and our kids had no problem with the twisty paths and stairs although towering redwood trees.

After Muir Woods, we had a lunch break at Stinson Beach, which was a great place for a picnic lunch. We enjoyed the delicious fish tacos we ordered, everything was very fresh and sourced locally from Marin county. Near Stinson beach is Bolinas, where we and our kids went on horseback riding in the forest. I’m glad it was only an hour; we could not take more than that as this was our first horseback riding experience.

That was an unforgettable family adventure in Marin county.

Thank you, Pat, for the good memories.

10 stars!: Nature and tranquility at its best!

This half-day private tour to Muir Woods was the perfect way to spend the morning away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and without traveling too far. Muir Woods is definitely worth the trip. Never pass on the opportunity to visit Muir Woods national monument if you are ever in the San Francisco Bay area. The park is less crowded in the morning, and we were very lucky and enjoyed it before it got busy. All in all, a very quiet and wonderful experience.

Our tour guide made this trip even more enjoyable as she took us to have a snack at Stinson Beach. The road is scenic and offers breathtaking views along the coast.

Plan your visit to Muir Woods and book in advance - rangers are rude!

We found out the hard way that Muir Woods park service has started implementing a new and paid reservation system, in addition to the park entrance fees ($15 per person). We tried to park our rental car there, but the park ranger in front of the gate very rudely turned us away and told us to get out... and book online. The parking there is now for tour companies and commercial use only and requires special permits which sucks.

Anyway, since there is no cell phone service at Muir Woods, we had to drive back to Sausalito, and park our rental car there. We were glad to get hold of this tour company who accommodated us with such last-minute booking and picked us up in Sausalito.

We finally managed to visit Muir Woods in the late afternoon, and that was for the best. The forest was almost empty, and it was definitely more peaceful. I recommend this company and Adam, our very nice tour guide. He made us feel very comfortable and we forgot our bad experience earlier with the US park rangers.

Definitely, do plan your visit to Muir Woods and book in advance!

Amazing seaplane and Alcatraz island tour experience

What a fantastic air-tour experience in a seaplane we had in the San Francisco Bay area! The pilot is super cool, experienced and very friendly. This was a jaw-dropping experience as where flying over the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, with a bird's-eye view of Alcatraz Island. Everything looks so different from the sky. We also enjoyed our tour of Alcatraz prison very much. This was a great trip and well put together tour package. We highly recommend this combo tour of Alcatraz and seaplane adventure to anyone. Absolutely worth every single penny.

Pensacola, Florida,

Best San Francisco Alcatraz combo tour

Book your tickets immediately! We had initially planned to book the night tour but it’s hard to get tickets for Alcatraz night tour. The day tour was not bad at all. Apart from the fascinating story of Alcatraz, the trip to the island is phenomenal and the city tour completed the package tour and it’s very interesting.

Alcatraz and San Francisco - the best part of our vacation in California

This is an incredible tourist attraction. We did the tour with our kids, and they loved it too. The audio tour was well done, we took tons of photos and enjoyed the views of the city from Alcatraz Island. The views from Alcatraz are spectacular.

Fascinating combo tour of San Francisco & Alcatraz

Definitely! pre-book your Alcatraz tickets well in advance. You can't go to San Francisco and not go to Alcatraz prison! A combination trip to Alcatraz and the city is a bonus and saves time. The tour was so much better than I was expecting. We hopped on Alcatraz ferry from San Francisco Pier 33, and once there, we were welcomed on the dock of Alcatraz island by a park ranger who let us know some key information and rules before visiting the prison. The prison is old and dingy, but it’s very interesting, and we loved the audio tour.

The Best Alcatraz Island Napa Valley wineries combo tour

What a fabulous way to spend the day in California wine country and Alcatraz island. The driver, Leo, was an expert tour guide with a fun and outgoing personality. He made us feel so comfortable from the first minute we met him the lobby of our hotel. The SUV is luxurious and clean and allowed us access to places not allowed to van tours or large vehicles. He even started the day by driving us through Lombard street - a beautiful neighborhood with gorgeous flowers. We also made a stop at the Golden Gate bridge on the way to the Napa Valley.

This tour company has a distinguished relationship with excellent wineries in Napa Valley. We managed to visit 2 small wineries located off-the-beaten-path, that are not open to group and bus tours. We had a walking tour inside the cellars and cave, and we ended up with a food and wine paring experience. This is the best way to learn how wine is made and how to taste the wine and pair it with right food. This private tour is the best way to go. You get to avoid commercial wineries and bus tours if you are looking for quality time. It was not cheap but worth every penny.

When we got back to the San Francisco, we could barely see Alcatraz island due to dense fog which is obviously very common in the summer. The ferry ride to the island was fun and short. Alcatraz prison audio tour is a must and highly recommended. This was best tour and tour guide we ever had. He exceeded our expectations.

A family safari adventure combined with San Francisco and Alcatraz

We booked this 2-day tour package through Alcatraz Tours. On day one, we visited San Francisco and Alcatraz, and on day 2 we spend most of the day in Sonoma county where we visited a wild safari park.We got there around 10 am, and the safari tour guide walked us first around the main area by the entrance where exotic birds and wild the animals could be seen and approached. Some animals loved to pose for close-ups, especially the monkeys, giraffes and flamingos. After 45 minutes walking tour, we drove in a double decker safari style jeep. This was a great experience for our kids. We have never seen them so excited. The entire jeep tour was about 3 hours or so and we saw everything from monkeys, cheetahs, hippos, zebras, bob cats, flamingos, giraffes and even parrots. Our family loved this safari adventure, and this is a great getaway for family with kids and highly recommended. After the safari tour, we had lunch in Napa, and our passionate tour guide drove us to the Jelly Belly beans factory. This was the perfect way to end this day trip. Many thanks to our amazing tour guide, Buddy, he is the best!

An awesome Alcatraz & balloon experience - a bucket-list adventure.

From the beginning to the end, everyone we met was awesome - from our fun and wonderful tour guide, Mary to the hot-air balloon pilot himself (Jason). A top-notch tour company and pilot. They made us feel very safe and comfortable before the lift-off and when we landed. After the balloon ride, we had a delicious champagne breakfast with the pilot and his friendly crew and our tour guide. We also visited Opus One winery and then drove back to San Francisco to visit Alcatraz. We got there 30 minutes before the ferry departed to Alcatraz. We do recommend this combo adventure to everyone without any hesitation, even if you don’t like to wake up early. This was an awesome experience and a bucket-list adventure. This was by far the best travel experience we ever had!

An awesome bay cruise boat tour around Alcatraz Island.

This is great tour experience when Alcatraz tickets are sold. We were disappointed as we didn’t manage to get our hand on Alcatraz tickets. We were happy though with this combo trip as we got visit San Francisco’s famous landmarks and top places we wanted to see. Really liked the Bay cruise tour - it’s a great opportunity for photos of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge. We got lucky with the weather, and we walked to Pier 39 to see the sea lions - a very cool place but it was crowded.

Alcatraz night tour is creepy, spooky but not scary

Went on the Alcatraz prison night tour to get a feel of the real atmosphere of Alcatraz prison at night. It was okay but not so unique as many stated in reviews. I personally prefer the day tour. Alcatraz night tour is creepy, spooky. Well, but not so scary if you have kids.

Debe visitar Alcatraz combinado con un recorrido por la ciudad para conocer los mejores sitios de la ciudad.!

Mi esposo y yo decidimos reservar el combo Alcatraz y el recorrido por la ciudad para nuestra familia, éramos un grupo de 7 personas, nuestro guía fue increíble y muy conocedor de la ciudad. Reservar un tour en SUV nos permitió pasar por todos los lugares para tomar fotos sin tener que caminar, nos divertimos mucho. San Francisco es una ciudad hermosa y debes visitar la isla de Alcatraz de todas maneras.

Recorrido en Alcatraz mucho más de lo esperado

Prisión de Alcatraz es como se ve en las películas de Hollywood , todo viaje a San Francisco debe incluir no solamente la calle de Lombard y el puente de Golden Gate m también vale la pena recorrer cada vecindario de la ciudad, hay tanto que ver y conocer en San Francisco que necesitas varios días para poder verla toda, pero si no dispones de mucho tiempo al menos el tour de la ciudad de 1 día es suficiente, al otro dia puedes combinar Alcatraz con un paseo por redwoods.

Alcatraz debe estar en la lista de Lugares a visitar de todo el mundo

Esta es una increíble atracción turística de San Francisco, solo una empresa tiene la autorización para llevar turistas a Alcatraz, tuvimos la suerte de haber conseguido los tickets, era fin de semana y había mucha gente haciendo cola para conseguir tickets, pero sin éxito. Todo estaba agotado para las próximas 3 semanas. Nuestra agencia reservó el tour de la ciudad con Alcatraz todo incluido, y nosotros no tuvimos que preocuparnos de nada.

Roberto Samane

Nine days: San Francisco, Alcatraz, California Monterey, Hearst Castle , and Yosemite tour package

We waited 2 weeks to review to be sure we weren't still dreaming. It was that great a time with Golden Horizon, starting with a full day in San Francisco with Mary, a native of The City, so we really experienced S.F. Then with Adam for 3 days to Monterey and Carmel, including somehow a front-row seat next to the 18th green during a PGA event a Pebble Beach without passes. He taught us to be great actors! A dream picture op for this golf fan. Then Leo took us to the coast beyond Big Sur, including a tour of Hearst Castle, then for 3 plus days in Yosemite and across the Sierras and back to S.F. All this during a stretch rare in CA of perfect weather when "Carl" never showed up. (They name the fog "Carl"). These folks couldn't have been more knowledgeable or considerate, especially getting us to every place we gave them on a considerable agenda before we even met them on day one. We saw and did far more than we expected, and they went well beyond the schedule hours every day. If this reads over-the-top, it's because our experience was way over-the-top. They certainly exceeded our expectations, just as they said they would, and we are so glad we traveled with Golden Horizon.

Richard & Karen WILD

Logansport , IN

San Francisco and Alcatraz

Our private tour with Mary was EXCELLENT and FUN!!! Mary drove us around in San Francisco and told us about history and contemporary "fun knowing". She is grown up in SF and had great knowledge. Before the trip, our kids complained that 4 hours were too long, but when the tour was over they thought the 4 hours went too fast.

It was a perfect start to our SF stay that covered the entire SF and we learned a lot and we had fun. . My partner did not have a ticket to Alcatraz but Mary managed with the impossible to find a ticket in the ferry zone, which we appreciated a lot !! Going on a tour with Mary was optimal! Comfortable car, only we in the car, very personal. Since Mary knew Sweden and Finland meant that we clicked fine from the very firts moment!!

marilouises2018

Pasadena CA

All day private tour of San Francisco and afternoon Alcatraz tour

Alcatraz was fascinating and Golden Horizon was able to accommodate us with tickets on short notice due to a cancellation. Our full day private driving tour of San Francisco with Tom was totally delightful. Not only was Tom, our guide, fully informed about the nuances of the city history but a terrific conversationalist providing a very relaxed and pleasant day. AND, he dropped us at a local Dim Sum café for an excellent and very reasonable lunch. We would recommend the entire experience as a 5-star excellent time.

Cedar Park, Texas

San Francisco and Alcatraz Tour Private SUV Tour with Mary

We had a blast on this tour and Mary was a terrific tour guide! We got to see nearly everything we wanted to see in San Francisco in one day - without having to plan a route or drive amongst the locals. Mary is a San Francisco native and is extremely knowledgeable about the city and its history. Having the tour guide handle the Alcatraz tickets is another nice perk that will make your visit to San Francisco that more stress-free. Be sure to let her know if you like "Star Wars" - she will have an awesome, unlisted stop waiting for you!

Huntsville, Alabama

Muir Woods/SF Alcatraz

The wife and I took two private tours the first was San Francisco/Alcatraz and the second was Muir Woods/Sausalito. Our tour guide Jon had a wealth of knowledge of the history of San Francisco as well as Muir Woods and Alcatraz. Our whole experience was awesome! we were allowed to make the changes we wanted to, which was great it gave us more time in Muir Woods as well as the other places that we wanted to see. It was a wonderful surprise when Jon took us to a couple of places that were not on the itinerary. I would highly recommend any of the tours we took as well as any others Golden Horizon has to offer as I'm sure they are just as wonderful. I know that if we are ever back in the area, we will certainty use this service again. Thank you for the great experience.

Evans, Colorado

Our trip to San Francisco

I booked the 1/2 day San Francisco tour including tickets to Alcatraz. That morning, Mary met my husband and I in the lobby of our hotel. She was already waiting for us when we came out of the elevator a little early! Picked us up in a spotlessly clean black suburban. We toured the city in style, so thankful Mary is a great driver because I would have hated for my husband to have to maneuver through that madness! By the time the tour was over we had learned so much history we would have never learned on our own. Mary is a local, and her stories really added to the tour. Before she left us at the ferry to Alcatraz she gave us our tickets along with a wealth of information to help us finish our trip successfully. We missed her and talked about her for the rest of our trip!

Alcatraz prison and Redwoods tour with Pat , she deserves an "A"+

Alcatraz prison and Redwoods tour with Pat , she deserves an "A"+ muir woods was crowded but still a nice place to visit. We only had a day in SF, and made a good use of our short stay in sfo. Alcatraz prison was the highlight of our a trip, morbid but very interesting to see and learn about its famous inmates like Al Capone...

joelsabourin

Quebec City, Canada

Mary was wonderful

Took a city tour of San Francisco which ended with a trip to Alcatraz. Mary was a wonderful guide, picked us up promptly at our hotel in a clean, comfortable Explorer. Saw much of San Francisco that we would not have been able to see without a car and got much background information. The tour is not cheap, but one is well cared for. Worth it.

Winter Haven

Alcatraz island prison was on our bucket before we travelled to san Francisco

Alcatraz island prison was on our bucket list before we even traveled to California, we wanted to go there so badly, and we did, we are so glad we took the time to visit Alcatraz island. Alcatraz prison may seem morbid and awkward because of all the sad and morbid stories of solitary confinement we all heard and read here or there, but more you learn about it from the audio guided tour, more get inserted in the story of Alcatraz solitary confinements, the infamous escape from Alcatraz, and learn the story of the prison and about the inmates from the officers own perspective. I highly recommend the combination Alcatraz island and San Francisco city tour, you don’t have to worry about how to get Alcatraz tickets and how to get there, these guys are very professionals and made our trip very enjoyable.

andymartinsons

Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Lake Tahoe & Yosemite tour experience

What an amazing trip around Lake Tahoe after a 3-day custom adventure of Yosemite national park sights and attractions - a wonderful destination.

Lake Tahoe is stunning & spectacular!!

Even if you’re not a fan of outdoors activities, Tahoe worth the long drive from San Francisco. This is a must-see destination with remarkable attractions.

Martha Frierrs, Alabama

Tahoe & Yosemite; must-see destinations in California

Tahoe is a must-see place & Yosemite is the crown jewel of California, they offer amazing outdoor activities for families with kids

Jimmy & family, Belize

A 5-star Yosemite & Tahoe experience

Our 3-day private tour package to Lake Tahoe wonders, Gold Country & Yosemite National Park top attractions was excellent, exciting & memorable!

Nicky & Bannysh. Kolkata (Calcutta), India

Tahoe is a bucket-list vacation destination

The Lake is pristine, wonderful, so clean, the air is so fresh & pure with magnificent surroundings, what an awesome paradise on earth?

Lucia & Rogelio Mérida, Mexico

Our Incredible experience in Lake Tahoe and Reno

Our adventure to Lake Tahoe and Reno from San Francisco was amazing and unforgettable thanks to Golden Horizon Travel attentive staff, and tour guide.

Gabriela & Oscar Reyes, Lima, Peru

Dream vacation to Tahoe, Yosemite & Mammoth Lakes

My wife and I want you to know how much we enjoyed our time in Tahoe & Yosemite, we loved travelling with your company

Bob and Faith, Australia

A memorable Tahoe -Yosemite combo tour experience

Trust their tour reviews on trip advisor 100%, they earned our satisfaction, they have a great customer service and amazing tour guides.

Naina Kwok- Jakarta, Indonesia

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Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Guided Bike Tour

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

Taxes and fees will be calculated at checkout

Enjoy a two-day, two-tour Alcatraz & Bike Tour Package. This tour includes the official trip to Alcatraz island and a professionally guided bike tour on a city bicycle. Check these two top ten visitor experiences off your bucket list with this package deal.

Ticket Options

1 Option Available

Alcatraz and Bike Tour Combo: $179

2-Day Combo: Selected date is for Alcatraz, exact time to be confirmed post-booking. Your 3hr bike tour will be scheduled for day prior.

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's Included

• An insiders ride through San Francisco streets!!
• Official Alcatraz ticket, including ferry ride to the island (Value $45.25)
• Professional Tour Guide

What's not Included

• Food and drinks
• Optional tour guide gratuity
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Optional ferry ticket from Sausalito to SF ($18.00 USD; payable to supplier at time of travel)
• Optional electric bike upgrade ($40 USD payable to supplier at time of travel)

Cancellation Policy

• All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Additional Info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Comfortable shoes and clothes, water and sunscreen are recommended; dress in layers as weather is likely to change quickly
• The date you book is the date you will visit Alcatraz Island.
• After confirming your booking, you will be given a precise Alcatraz departure time. Once on the island, guests may leave at any time as ferries depart every 30 to 40 minutes; the last departing ferry is usually 6:30pm.
• The Alcatraz date cannot be adjusted after booking
• All travelers first and last names are required upon booking
• For security purposes, a government-issued photo ID is required for all guests to board the Alcatraz ferry
• Self-Guided Audio guided tour lasts between 2.5 to 3 hours
• Alcatraz audio tour is available in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Mandarin, Portuguese and Korean
• Alcatraz voucher and a valid photo ID for all travelers will be required to pick up your Alcatraz tickets at Pier 33
• Your bike tour will be reserved for the day after your Alcatraz trip.
• Your guided bike tour starts in Fisherman’s Wharf and takes you along the National Park Bike Path.
• Bike Tour is 8 miles and lasts up to 3 hours.
• The bike tour concludes in downtown Sausalito.
• Credit card with ID (one per party) is required to be on file for a security deposit
• Bike helmets are provided and recommended
• Bike tour departs at either 10:00 AM (year-round) or 2:00 PM (March-September).
• Ferry tickets from Sausalito to San Francisco are not included in ticket price.

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City Experiences FAQs

Frequently asked questions, city cruises us, us and canada city cruises port locations, city cruises canada, city cruises uk, alcatraz city cruises, statue city cruises, devour tours, how to book, make & modify a reservation, how do i make a reservation.

Your reservations may be made online, over the phone, through our online chat, and in person at ticket booths at select locations. To make an online reservation, search by your location and the date you’d like to cruise on. Reservations can be made with most major credit cards. R eservation can also be made by phone or chat, contact us . If you would like to pay in person, reservations must be made on location at our ticket booths which are at select locations. Please note that tickets at the booth are based on cruise availability, and we cannot guarantee that tickets are available at the booth for every cruise. Please see the City Cruises US and Canada Port Locations section of the FAQ. Full payment is required at the time of reservation.    

How do I modify a reservation?

For reservations of 1-19, you can manage your reservation through the My Account page .

How can I invite guests to my reservation?

For reservations of 1-19, you can invite guests to your booking through the Manage Booking Portal u sing the invite Friends and Family link on your reservation, your guests ca n purchase a ticket to your cruise and join your table    

Payment & Discounts

How do i pay for my tickets.

We accept most major credit cards for reservations of 1-19 tickets. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, JCB, and Diner Club. Please contact us for information

Can I pay with cash?

You may pay in cash at our ticket booths in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago (Dining Cruises only), New York, Norfolk, Toronto, Philadelphia, San Diego, or Washington, DC.

Please note, full payment is required at the time of reservation.

DO I HAVE TO PAY IN FULL FOR MY RESERVATION?

We accept reservations on an availability basis and full payment is due at the time the reservation is made. We do not hold tickets without payment.

Are there any discounts for children, military, or seniors?

• Child Discounts: Children 4 to 12 may cruise at a different rate than Adults depending on cruise type and port location. Children under 4 cruise free in most locations.
• Military and Senior Discounts: Military and Senior discounts are offered on most of our cruises. Select the senior or military ticket at checkout for your online reservation to secure this rate if available .  Please contact us for more information  

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes! Digital Gift Cards are the perfect way to give someone an experience that lets them schedule their adventure at their convenience! A City Experiences digital gift card can be purchased anytime and is valid on all City Experiences, City Cruises, Walks, and Devour Tours experiences that take place in the US and in the UK (please note: digital gift cards are currently not accepted at any City Cruises experiences that take place in Canada). Gift cards can be used to pre-purchase experiences and upgrades online or through our contact center but cannot be redeemed for on-board/in-experience purchases.  

How do I redeem a gift card, coupon, or voucher?

For online reservations, search by your location and the date you want to cruise. When prompted at checkout, enter your gift card number in the “Gift Cards” section, or enter your coupon or voucher code in the “Coupon/Voucher Code” section. All gift cards, certificates, coupons, and discount offers must be used and mentioned at the time of booking in order to be honored. Please bring your gift certificate, promotional card, or coupon with you at the time of your cruise and present it to the Host/ Hostess on board. If you have a voucher or discount code, you can use your code during checkout on our website or checkout through online chat. Digital gift cards are currently not accepted at any City Cruises experiences that take place in Canada.

CAN I USE MY GIFT CARD ONBOARD?

Gift cards can be used to pre-purchase experiences and upgrades online or through our contact center but cannot be redeemed for on-board/in-experience purchases. Please visit the Gift Card page for more information.  

Rewards Points

What is city experiences rewards.

For more information, please visit here

How do I use my City Experiences Rewards points?

Print or show tickets, do i need to print tickets or show my boarding pass.

Tickets are not required for boarding. When boarding, you can check in with your confirmation number and the last name that is on your reservation.

Taxes & Gratuities

What are the fees & gratuities i see on my receipt, landing fee.

The Landing Fee, if included on your billing, offsets a wide range of costs unique to a maritime business operation. These may include specialized port facility repairs, percentage payment, employee health care obligations, and other fees, licenses, regulatory, environmental and maritime security costs.

Administrative Fee

An Administrative fee is collected at the time of reservation, related to the cruise and the services included in the ticket. This is not a gratuity and will be used at the discretion of the company. If you wish to purchase additional beverages or food enhancements onboard, we recommend you leave a gratuity onboard based on the quality of service provided to you by your server.

In addition to sales tax, we are assessed taxes by some local governments for use of the harbor. They are paid directly and in full to the local government of the appropriate city.

Onboard Gratuities

A service/operations charge is collected at the time of booking, related to the cruise and the services included in the ticket. This is not a gratuity and will be used at the discretion of the company. If you wish to purchase additional beverages or food enhancements on your cruise, we recommend you leave a gratuity on board based on the quality of service provided to you by our crew.

Refunds & Cancellations

Ticket assurance, what is ticket assurance.

Purchases made with Ticket Assurance may be rescheduled or canceled up to 2 hours prior to the original departure time with a full refund, minus the cost of non-refundable Ticket Assurance. Ticket Assurance is not available on select cruises such as holiday, specialty or partnership cruises, or other experiences as indicated.

CAN I ADD ON TICKET ASSURANCE AFTER I PURCHASE MY CRUISE?

Ticket Assurance must be selected at the time of booking and may not be added post-purchase.

LATE ARRIVALS AND NO-SHOWS

Once payment is received, cruises are non-refundable unless Ticket Assurance is purchased at the time of booking. We are happy to reschedule your cruise date or issue a gift card for the amount paid with 48-hour notice before your scheduled cruise. Cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable within 48 hours of your cruise. We do not compensate for no-shows or late arrivals.

Cancellations

What is the cancellation policy.

Our cruises are non-refundable final sale, and you have up to 48 hours prior to the cruise to reschedule or receive a gift card. We do not compensate for any late arrivals or no-shows to a cruise.

My cruise was canceled. Will I get a refund?

In the event your cruise was canceled by City Cruises, you will receive three options sent via email and SMS text message to the number we have on file:

Option 1: You may transfer to a different cruise date of your choosing. Please note that if you are rescheduling to a lower priced cruise, we will refund you the difference. If you are rescheduling to a higher priced cruise, payment will be required for the difference once the new date is selected. Please note, prices are subject to change based on demand and peak cruise times.

Option 2: If you are unsure of a new date when you can cruise, you may move your funds to a gift card. Gift cards never expire and can be used to book on our website. For more information on gift cards, visit the Gift Card page.

Option 3: If you are unable to join us on a future date you will receive a full refund back to the original form of payment. Please allow 3-5 business days for the funds to appear in your account.

Note: All 3 options are available to you via the link that was provided in the cruise cancellation notification.

What is the voucher cancellation policy?

We do not compensate for any late arrivals or no-shows to a cruise, so please arrive in time for check in and boarding. If you need to reschedule, you have up to 48 hours prior to your cruise to change to another date, or we can release your tickets to be used in the future. Once we’re within 48 hours of a cruise, no further changes can be made.

What happens if it rains or snows?

City Cruises sails rain or shine. In the case of severe weather conditions or upon the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard or Transport Canada, we will remain dockside, but provide the full dining service.

Before You Board

Boarding locations & times, is there parking by the cruise boarding location, where's the pier, where can i find my boarding time, pre-purchase, can i purchase a beverage package before i cruise what does it include, onboard experience, age restrictions, are there any age restrictions to cruise.

There are no age restrictions for most cruises, and all minors require adult supervision. Some cruises may offer a discounted rate for childre n . Please contact us for more information.  

Bateaux New York Dinners: Children under 6 are not permitted and we do not offer a discounted rate for children. Younger children are welcome aboard Bateaux lunch cruises and other New York dining cruises.  

What is the dress code?

River, harbor, whale watching tours & water taxis.

Casual attire: jeans, shorts, t-shirts, Sweaters, and sneakers are appropriate . Depending on the season, we recommend bringing extra layers as it may get breezy out on the water.  

SIGNATURE BRUNCH, LUNCH & COCKTAIL CRUISES

Casual attire: khakis, nice jeans, dresses, button-up shirts, and blouses  

SIGNATURE DINNER & PREMIER PRODUCTS

Cocktail attire: collared shirts, blouses, sports coats, slacks, and dresses. Casual jeans, t-shirts, shorts, gym shoes, and flip flops are strongly discouraged.  

Premier Plus ( Bateaux and Odyss ey Chicago River)

Semi-formal dress code: dresses, collared shirts, dress pants and jackets encouraged. Casual jeans, t-shirts, shorts, gym shoes, and flip flops are strongly discouraged.  

Boarding Policy

What time is boarding.

Most cruises board 30 minutes before their departure time. Please check your confirmation email to confirm your cruise boarding & departure time.

Smoking Policy

Is smoking allowed onboard.

Smoking is allowed on the outside decks only, except for Boston, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, Newport Beach, Sacramento, Mariposa Harbour Tour, Harbor Tours, Sights & Sips Cruises, and Whale Watching Cruises. Please dispose of all refuse in proper receptacles. Do not throw anything into the water. Please help us keep our waters clean.

Cannabis products are not allowed as we operate under US Coast Guard and Transport Canada regulations.

Entertainment

What is the onboard entertainment.

City Cruises offer dance floors and a variety of music to enjoy. Depending on the cruise, it may be background music, a DJ, or a live performance. Entertainment is subject to change. P lease contact us  if you have any questions

Onboard Seating

Is seating assigned onboard.

As you board, our Captain and Marine Crew will direct you to your deck. From there the Host/Hostess will show your party to your assigned table(s) if applicable. Decks are never guaranteed for non-private groups. We assign seats based on needs and capacity for each cruise.

Special Occasions

Do you offer special options for birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions, will you announce my special occasion/celebration onboard, cake policy.

Cakes may not be stored in our facilities. They must be held at your table due to limited storage space on the ship and must be kept at the guest’s table .  There are no open flames allowed on the vessels including birthday candles. We allow flameless or LED birthday candles. A cake cutting fee may apply, which varies by port.

*Boston and Canadian Dining boats cannot accept cakes.  

DECORATION POLICY

All City Cruises vessels are decorated with linens, votive centerpieces, silver, and china . Small groups without private space can bring table decorations, but early boarding is not allowed. Please do not use confetti or tape any items to the walls of our vessels.  

Food & Beverage

Where can i find the menu for my cruise.

Edit: For more information, please see the City Cruises US and Canada Port Locations section of the FAQ.  

Do you offer vegetarian or special menu requests?

Vegetarian meals are available on dining cruises and can be arranged at the time of booking. If there are many vegetarians in your group, or if there are any vegans, please indicate this at the time of booking. If you are booking through an Excursion Specialist over the phone or through online chat, please notify the Specialist of any food allergies or other dietary restrictions at the time of booking.

We can accommodate most special dietary needs with advance notice.

When is food served?

Food service for dining cruises begins upon embarking.

Do I need to pre-select my menu before the cruise?

No, you do not need to pre-select your menu. Some of our cruises have multiple entrée options and we have a menu that you will choose from on board. Other cruises will either have a preset menu or offer a buffet with a variety of options. This information will be available when booking online.

Can I bring my own food onboard?

Can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Select ports allow bottles of wine or champagne (no liquor) to be brought onboard. A corkage fee will apply which varies by port. Bottles brought onboard must be fully sealed and cannot be taken off the vessel once opened. We reserve the right to refuse to uncork if the bottle is available for sale onboard. For eligible cities and assistance planning, please contact us

Photography

Can i take pictures onboard.

Yes ! We encourage our guest s to capture their amazing experiences onboard. Please note w e prohibit the usage of drones .  

Are pets allowed onboard?

Service animals are allowed onboard. Service animals are defined as animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. They are working animals, not pets. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animals’ work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Dogs are allowed on Seadog Cruises in Chicago and select pet events in other ports.

Weapon Policy

Explosives, firearms, illegal substances, or any articles of a dangerous or damaging nature that could be harmful to yourself or others, as determined in our sole discretion, may not be brought onboard any of our vessels.

Are fireworks guaranteed?

City Cruises is not affiliated or associated with any fireworks shows or displays and cannot guarantee any fireworks displays for your experience. Therefore, compensation will not be awarded for fireworks displays queries.  

Change of Course or Vessels

Since water travel involves uncertainties not present in land facilities, City Cruises may, in its sole discretion, remain dockside, substitute vessels, change the course or schedule of the Service, discontinue the Service, or cancel the Service for any reason. City Cruises shall have no liability arising from any such change of course or schedule, change of vessel, discontinuance, cancellation, or other failure to depart from or arrive at any port at the scheduled or announced time.

Group Reservations

Event options, what kind of events can i host onboard.

You can host any kind of event on a City Cruises vessel! We host birthdays, weddings, office parties, anniversaries, bachelor/bachelorette parties, anniversaries, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, and more. To request more information, visit the Private Events page.

Private Events

Can i book a private event or charter.

Yes, you can charter a vessel for a private event. We have a variety of boats in our fleet that are perfect for every kind of event.

Do i have to book the whole yacht for my event?

You don’t have to reserve a whole vessel for your event. We host many events and groups of all sizes on our regularly scheduled dining cruises. You can reserve private space on a dining cruise for your event. For more information, visit the Private Events page

How much does it cost to host a private event?

The cost of your private event varies by the type of vessel, the kind of event you’re hosting, the size of your group, and what kind of enhancement packages you want to include. For more information on priv ate event pricing and to fill out a form please visit: Private Events

Safety & Accessibility

Us coast guard & transport canada, are you regulated by the u.s. coast guard & transport canada, wheelchair accessibility, are the vessels accessible for individuals with disabilities, onboard comfort, are there life preservers onboard, will i get seasick, is there a phone on the boat where guests can receive calls.

Highchairs/booster seats offered: Yes.

Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking in the area. Local parking is available across the street on the embankment and along Marina Blvd

Cake Policies: Outdoor cakes are allowed onboard, but they will need to be covered and held at your table due to limited storage space on the ship. There are no open flames allowed on the vessels including birthday candles. We allow flameless or LED birthday candles. There is a Cake Cutting Fee.

Highchairs/booster seats offered: No.

Cake Policies: Outdoor cakes are not allowed onboard.

Highchairs/booster seats offered: Highchairs only.

Stroller Details: Small to mid-size infant strollers are permitted. Prior to boarding there is a designated unsupervised area available to park strollers at your own discretion. Infant strollers brought on-board are not permitted on the upper observation deck for safety purposes, as well, strollers cannot be left unattended and all personal belongings should be supervised accordingly.

Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Local parking is available in the Aquarium garage.

Cake Policies: There is an Outside Dessert Service/Cake Cutting Fee per person charge of $1.88. There are no open flames allowed on the vessels including birthday candles. We allow flameless or LED birthday candles.

MARINA DEL REY

Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Local parking is located at Marina Lot 1 at Fisherman’s Village.

Cake Policies: There is an outside Dessert Service/Cake Cutting Fee per person charge of $3.13. There are no open flames allowed on the vessels including birthday candles. We allow flameless or LED birthday candles.

Highchairs/booster seats offered: Yes

NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

For Menu, Ticket Booth, and Parking information, please visit the New York port page here . Select your cruise type to learn specific details about the onboard menu, ticket booth, and parking locations.

For Menu, Ticket Booth, and Parking information, please visit the Weehawken port page here . Select your cruise type to learn specific details about the onboard menu, ticket booth, and parking locations.

NEWPORT BEACH

Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Local parking is available at 2431 W Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663.

PHILADELPHIA

Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Local parking is available at Lombard Circle Parking Lot on Columbus Boulevard and Lombard Circle, and the other locations noted below.

Cake Policies: Outdoor cakes are allowed onboard, but they will need to be covered and held at your table due to limited storage space on the ship. There are no open flames allowed on the vessels including birthday candles. We allow flameless or LED birthday candles.

For Menu, Ticket Booth, and Parking information, please visit the Sacramento port page here . Select your cruise type to learn specific details about the onboard menu, ticket booth, and parking locations.

Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Local metered Parking is available for Pier 1 on both sides of North Harbor Drive. For Pier 2, ACE Parking lot on the pier next to the USS Midway Museum.

SAN FRANCISCO

Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Local parking is available at Pier 3, The Embarcadero.

For Menu, Ticket Booth, and Parking information, please visit the Toronto port page here . Select your cruise type to learn specific details about the onboard menu, ticket booth, and parking locations.

WASHINGTON D.C.

Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Local parking is available at The Wharf Parking Garage.

GREATER WASHINGTON AREA: POTOMAC WATER TAXI

– National Harbor: 145 National Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland 20745

– The Wharf: 970 Transit Pier, 950 Wharf St SW

Marina/Dock Locations:

– Alexandria City Marina: 105 North Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (Behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center)

– Georgetown: 3050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007 (In front of Fiola Mare restaurant)

– National Harbor: 145 National Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland 20745 (Near McCormick and Schmick’s Restaurant)

– The Wharf: 970 Transit Pier, 950 Wharf St SW (Drop off address: 950 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC)

Alexandria, Virgina

HB Parking | 202-329-6001 115 S Union Street, Alexandria Daily Parking 300 North Lee Street, Alexandria

Colonial Parking | 202-295-8100 101 North Union Street, Alexandria

Market Square Standard Parking | 703-549-3237 108 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria

Port of Alexandria | 703-549-1717 210 The Strand, Alexandria

Solo Parking | 703-548-8389 225 South Union Street, Alexandria

Standard Parking | 703-549-3237 220 North Union Street, Alexandria

Thompson’s Alley Standard Parking | 703-504-7427 10 Thompson Alley, Alexandria

GEORGETOWN IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Park America | 202-338-0368 3000 K Street Northwest Washington D.C., DC 20007

Constitution Parking Inc | 202-298-7733 3217 K Street Northwest Washington D.C., DC 20007

National Harbor, Maryland

Fleet Garage Entrance on Fleet Street & Potomac Passage National Harbor, Maryland

Mariner Garage Entrance on Waterfront Street and Mariner Passage National Harbor, Maryland

St. George’s Parking Garage Entrance located on St. Georges Blvd and Waterman Passage National Harbor, Maryland

Gaylord National Resort And Convention Center

Spaces located at St. George’s Blvd and Waterfront Street

District Wharf Parking Garage 600 Water St SW, Washington, DC 20024* *New garage off Maine Avenue SW

L’Enfant Plaza Garage 420 10th Street SW

For more info on parking, please visit  The Wharf .

POTOMAC WATER TAXI FAQs

How soon should i be at the dock.

Like an airport, one needs a boarding pass to go on the vessel. You must get your ticket from the booth on the dock prior to boarding. Please arrive at the dock 20 – 30 minutes prior to the cruise time to allow enough time.

CAN I BRING MY BIKE ON BOARD?

Yes, you can bring your standard bike aboard select vessels. All of our new water taxis vessels on the Wharf route feature bike racks on board. Based on space available, we may not be able to accommodate a recumbent bike or a tandem bike or any other type of oversized bike.

HOW LONG IS THE WASHINGTON BY MONUMENT CRUISE?

45 minutes each way, just under two hours roundtrip.

WHAT VESSELS ARE ADA ACCESSIBLE?

All Wharf water taxis and the National Harbor Alexandria water taxis are ADA compliant. The Georgetown dock is not ADA accessible.

WHEN WILL YOU POST INFORMATION FOR YOUR 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS CRUISE?

Our vessels are used for private charters as well as public cruises. If we have a vessel that is not being chartered, we will have a public Fireworks Cruise. We will know closer to the date if we have a vessel available.

CAN I BRING MY BICYCLE ON BOARD?

Yes, you can bring your standard bike aboard select vessels. All of the vessels on the Wharf route feature bike racks on board. Based on the space available, we may not be able to accommodate a recumbent bike or a tandem bike or any other type of oversized bike. Subject to the number of passengers on board and number of bikes. Please check with the captain before purchasing a ticket. Commented [BR32]: New section that should be its own section. Should not live inside of Ports/Locations section.

CAN I CHANGE MY WATER TAXI RETURN TRIP HOME?

If you need to change your water taxi return time, you may do so at the ticket booth for no charge as long as space is available. You may also call us at 877-511-2628 to change your return time provided space is available.

I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A PRINTER, HOW CAN I GET MY TICKETS?

As long as you have your transaction number, the ticket seller can pull up your reservation and print the tickets. The transaction number will be located in the subject line of your email confirmation email.

ARE WE ALLOWED TO BRING OUR OWN FOOD ONBOARD?

We don’t allow outside food brought on board any public cruise, however some of our cruises do offer light concessions.

ARE PETS ALLOWED ON THE BOATS?

Sadly, there are too many people with animal allergies to allow pets on our public cruises. The only exception would be for certified service animals or one of our special pet friendly cruises such as the Canine Cruise.

WHAT IF I WANT TO BIKE TO MOUNT VERNON AND THEN RIDE THE BOAT HOME?

Unfortunately, Mount Vernon does not allow bikes on the actual estate. You would not be able to bring your bike down to the boat. We do recommend Bike and Roll. They will rent you a bicycle that you can ride to Mount Vernon and then leave there for them to pick up in a van later. You can then take the boat home from Mt Vernon without the worry of what to do with a bicycle. For more information on bike rentals call 202-842-2453.

WHAT IS THE HOTEL PASS?

A Hotel Pass, provided by hotels in Alexandria, is valid only during the Metro Shutdown period, May 28 – September 8, 2021. A Hotel Pass may be exchanged at the ticket booth for a “Two Day – All Day” Pass. The pass may be used multiple times, for a period of two consecutive days, on any Potomac Water Taxi or Sightseeing Cruise. The Pass holder must visit a kiosk and get a timed ticket for each trip.

WHAT IS THE POTOMAC WATER TAXI – CITY CRUISES CANCELLATION POLICY DUE TO WEATHER?

We go rain or shine; we only cancel when the United States Coast Guard closes the Potomac River.

Does City Cruises Gananoque Have 2 Port Locations?

Yes, City Cruises Gananoque operates tours from two port locations. The Gananoque Port (280 Main Street, Gananoque, ON K7G 2M2) offers a 1-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise, 3-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise, and a 5-Hour Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise. The Ivy Lea Port (95 Ivy Lea Road, Lansdowne, ON K0E 1L0) offers a 1-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise with breathtaking views of Heart Island and Boldt Castle (please note: this cruise does not stop at Boldt Castle).

How Do I Make A Reservation?

Your reservations may be made online, over the phone, through our online chat, and in-person at ticket booths at select locations. To make an online reservation, search by your location and the date you’d like to cruise on. Reservations can be made with most major credit cards. Reservations can also be made by phone at (888) 467-6256 or through our online chat.

If you would like to pay in person, reservations must be made on location at our ticket booths which are at select locations. Please note that tickets at the booth are based on cruise availability, and we cannot guarantee that tickets are available at the booth for every cruise. Full payment is required at the time of reservation.

Are Senior Rates Available?

Yes, senior rates (ages 65+) are available for tours at City Cruises Gananoque.

Are There Any Age Restrictions To Cruise?

There are no age restrictions for our cruises. All minors require adult supervision. To purchase and consume alcohol onboard you must be at least 19 years of age or older with valid Government-issued photo ID.

Do Your Cruises Operate In The Rain?

Yes, our boats have enclosed areas for rainy days. All our tours operate Rain or Shine!

Do We Need To Print Out Tickets Before We Arrive?

If you have purchased your ticket online in advance, please have your confirmation email with QR code present on any smartphone upon arrival. Printed confirmation emails with QR code will also be accepted.

How Early Should I Arrive For My Cruise?

We recommend arriving 30-45 minutes before departure. Please check your confirmation email to confirm your cruise boarding & departure time.

Is There On-site Parking?

Yes, there is an on-site parking lot available. Day Parking for cruise guests is $9 CAD (taxes included), while non-cruise guests will be charged $18 CAD (taxes included).  Please note, no boat trailers are permitted.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Once payment is received, cruises are non-refundable unless Ticket Assurance is purchased at the time of booking. We are happy to reschedule your cruise date for the amount paid with 48-hour notice before your scheduled cruise. Cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable within 48 hours of your cruise. We do not compensate for no-shows or late arrivals.

Can I Add-on Ticket Assurance After I Purchase My Cruise?

Do you accept group bookings.

Yes, qualified groups of 20 or more may be eligible for discounted rates if a paid reservation is made far enough in advance of arrival. To inquire about group bookings please email [email protected] .

Can I Book A Private Charter?

Yes, you can charter a vessel for a private group outing. For private charter bookings, both cash bar and host bar options are available. For food, we offer a special Charter Menu (no outside food or catering is permitted). To inquire about a private charter booking please email [email protected] .

How Do I Manage A Reservation?

For reservations of 1-19, you can manage your reservation through the My Account page on the City Experiences website.

What Payment Options Do You Have On The Boat?

Contactless Payment options of Credit and Debit cards are recommended. Cash is accepted. Please note we do not accept American Express.

Can We Bring Food And Beverages On The Boat?

No outside food or beverages are permitted; however, our boats are fully licensed and select food & beverage is available for purchase while onboard.

Do You Have A Restaurant & Gift Shop At Your Location?

Yes, the port at Gananoque has a land-based restaurant, Dockside Restaurant, serving casual and comfort food. The restaurant is also connected to a Gift Shop featuring City Cruises Gananoque apparel as well as other gifts and souvenirs. Plus, just outside the Restaurant is the Ice-Cream Stop serving cold favourites.

Is Smoking Or Vaping Allowed?

Smoking or vaping of any kind; tobacco, cannabis, or e-juice, is strictly prohibited on our boats or anywhere on our property.

Are Your Boats Wheelchair Accessible?

Yes, all main decks of the vessels are wheelchair accessible.

Are Pets Allowed On The Cruises?

City Cruises Gananoque welcomes guide dogs or service animals on our premises. The service animal is required to always accompany the guest. The guest is responsible for their service animal while on our premises. Service animals are defined as being visibly apparent that the customer requires the animal for reasons relating to a disability. City Cruises Gananoque will request documentation from the guest (i.e., identification card) confirming that the guest requires the animal for reasons relating to a disability. All other animals and pets are not permitted on City Cruises Gananoque property.

Are Passports Required For All Cruises?

Passports are only required for the 5-Hour Boldt Castle stop-over cruise. Please see more details below.

• Passengers on the City Cruises Gananoque Boldt Castle Stop-over Cruise are subject to U.S. Customs & Border Control as Boldt Castle and Singer Castle are located in the U.S.
• Passports, Enhanced Driver’s License and/or Nexus Cards are required for the City Cruises Gananoque Boldt Castle Stop-over Cruise. Birth Certificates for children under the age of 16 may be accepted in lieu of passports.
• Citizens of countries outside of Canada or the U.S. require a visitor’s visa as well as their passport. An approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be required as U.S. Customers & Border Control will no longer accept a Visa Waiver Form. Please contact the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for more details. To visit their website click here .
• It is at the discretion of U.S. Customs & Border Control to refuse entry to Boldt Castle to any person(s). In this case, City Cruises Gananoque will not issue any refunds for these instances.

Do The 3-hour & 1-hour Cruises Stop At Boldt Castle?

No, the 3-Hour Depths & Discovery Cruise from Gananoque and the 1-Hour Landmarks of the 1000 Islands Cruise from Ivy Lea sail around Heart Island and Boldt Castle but do not stop, therefore passports are not required for these cruises. Please note the 1-Hour Original Heart of the Islands Cruise from Gananoque does not pass Boldt Castle

Is There A Separate Entrance Pass To Enter Boldt Castle?

For your convenience, the price of the Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise includes the Boldt Castle Admission Fee.

What Is Proper Identification For U.S. Customs At Boldt Castle?

• Valid Passports, Enhanced Driver’s License and/or Nexus Cards are required for the City Cruises Gananoque Boldt Castle Stop-over Cruise. Birth Certificates for children under the age of 16 may be accepted in lieu of passports.

Niagara City Cruises

What are top experiences to do at city cruises toronto.

• Brunch Cruises during Weekend
• Lunch Cruises during Weekdays
• Dinner Cruises
• Sightseeing Harbour Tours
• Sights and Sips Cocktail Cruises

What Are The Top Activities Near Toronto Harbourfront?

There are so many fun activities to enjoy near Harbourfront at downtown Toronto.

• Enjoy Sightseeing Cruises on City Cruises Toronto
• Visit the Toronto Islands
• Visit CN Tower
• Shop and dine in downtown Toronto
• Have fun at the Centreville Amusement Park
• Enjoy Dining Cruising with City Cruises Toronto

From boat cruises to island trip and various attractions, you will not be short on options!

What Do I Need To Know Before Visiting Toronto?

Toronto is an amazing city full of attractions, events, and great food. If you are planning on visiting Toronto, make sure to research everything beforehand so you can make the most of your trip! There are plenty of fun things to do in Toronto! For instance, you can visit city’s many attractions and museums, enjoy the diverse food, and drink scene or take part in one of its many annual festivals.  Toronto is known for its various sporting activities too and there is something to enjoy round the year.   Toronto offers something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant city.  Harbourfront area in downtown Toronto is a popular spot for enjoying various cruises with City Cruises besides host of other activities to keep you busy including visit to the Toronto Islands.

What Do I Need To Know Before Visiting Harbourfront Toronto?

Harbourfront area on the shores of Lake Ontario offers waterfront parks, trails, cruises, restaurants, theatres, and various other attractions. Harbourfont also offer water taxis to the Toronto islands for beaches and Centreville Amusement Park.   The city ferry is also located at the Harbourfront to visit the Toronto islands.  City Cruises operates at the Harbourfront and offer various Sightseeing, Cocktail, Dining and Private cruises. Enjoy a variety of dining and sightseeing cruises or book a private event with City Cruises, along Toronto’s harbourfront while you take in picturesque views of the Iconic Toronto skyline.

Do I Need To Print My Tickets?

Tickets are not required to be printed for boarding of Indy Cruises or Private Events. When boarding an Indy Cruise, please show either a digital or printed ticket with your confirmation number and name. Private Events to not require any form of tickets.

Where And How Much Is Parking?

City Cruises Toronto does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Due to high traffic volume in downtown Toronto and the Harbourfront area, we recommend you take that into consideration when planning your travel time and arrival. For nearby parking options, please review below:

• Harbourfront Centre Parking, 235 Queens Quay, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8 • Southcore Financial Centre, 18 York St, Toronto, ON M5J2T8 • RBC Waterpark Place, 83 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2T5

Are The City Cruises Toronto Vessels Accessible for Individuals With Disabilities?

Due to ship-build compliance requirements, our vessels are not fully accessible. The Elite is not accessible. The Oriole can use a ramp to accommodate non-motorized wheelchairs at boarding; however, the bathrooms are located on the lower level. The Northern Spirit can accommodate assisted boarding via the main deck for guests (with limited mobility i.e., walkers) in non-motorized wheelchairs. None of the bathrooms on Oriole, Showboat or Northern Spirit are accessible or have changing stations. The Toronto Odyssey is wheelchair accessible for the main deck (Maple Deck) and has one bathroom that is also wheelchair accessible.

What Is The Dress Code?

Sightseeing/Lunch cruises are casual. Dinner cruises are business casual. Shirts and shoes must be always worn, and no bathing suits allowed. High heels/stilettos are not recommended on board.

Can We Bring Children On The Cruise?

Of course, children are allowed on both lunch and dinner cruises (if the client requests). Limited booster seats available upon request. Some events have age restrictions which guests will be notified of upon booking.

Can we bring strollers on the dining cruises?

Strollers are permitted on dining cruises. Strollers cannot be kept at the table. The strollers are stowed elsewhere for the duration of the cruise.

Can I Request Certain Seating?

Our seating chart is prepared based on the size of the groups onboard. Seating requests are not always guaranteed. We always try our best to accommodate all our groups. A guaranteed window seat can be purchased upon booking.

When Does The Bar Close?

On all events, beverage service closes at docking, and guests are allowed 30 minutes to disembark.

What Is Your Refund Policy?

What do you offer guests with special dietary needs.

All our buffets are completely labelled and can accommodate any major allergy. Vegans and Gluten Free guests have the option of eating from the buffet. If an allergy or dietary restriction of a guest cannot be accommodated with the buffet, we can request a special dish prepared by our chef. For any special meal we must have the guests name and their list of allergies to give to the Chef. With 48hr. notice, guests who follow a kosher diet can select a meal from our kosher caterer to be delivered at an additional charge. The chicken and beef used for the main entrees on our menus is halal.

What Happens If The Weather Is Bad?

City Cruises Toronto sails rain or shine. In the case of severe weather conditions or upon the direction of Transport Canada, we will remain dockside, but provide the full dining service. The dining areas on all our vessels are completely enclosed.

Is Seasickness An Issue?

Typically, this is not an issue. We stay in the calm inner harbor traveling at most 7-10 knots. If you are very sensitive to sea sickness than please take the necessary precautions before boarding.  We do not offer any motion sickness medication on board.

Is There Heating And A/C On Board?

The Northern Spirit, Elite and Toronto Odyssey are the only vessels to offer full heating on board during the colder months. During the hotter months the Northern Spirit, Elite, Showboat and Toronto Odyssey offer climate-controlled air-conditioning.

Can I Access The Vessel Via Water Taxi?

The Water Taxi is operated by a separate privately owned company. To coordinate guests arriving/leaving via water taxi, the taxi will need to be booked by the guest who will then communicate the time of the booking to the coordinator. The coordinator will communicate the arrival time of the water taxi to the on-board manager and captains so that they can ensure the vessel is in the inner harbour to meet up with the water taxi. *Water Taxis are subject to availability at the discretion of the water taxi company. Their services are weather dependent and seasonally available.

Will I be full by the end of the tour?

Most of our tours include a full meal which is enough for 99.9% of our guests to feel comfortably full by the end of the tour. Check the “Includes” section on your tour for more details on what you can expect.

Should I eat before the tour?

On all our tours we start tasting almost right away. So, if you must eat before a tour, we recommend keeping it to a light snack.

I’m pregnant. Can you adapt the tour for me?

Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, of course we can! Simply let us know that you’re pregnant in the “Notes” section when you book the tour, and we’ll take care of the rest (i.e. we won’t serve you cured meats, uncooked unpasteurized cheeses or alcoholic drinks).

Are drinks served on the tour?

All tours offer beverages, and water is also provided at points throughout the tours.

What if I don’t drink alcohol? Will I still enjoy the tour?

Of course you will! While we do highlight typical regional alcoholic drinks on our tours, drinking alcohol is not at all necessary to enjoy our tours! Simply note that you prefer not to drink alcohol when you book, and we’ll serve you non-alcoholic drinks instead. Given the curious fact that non-alcoholic drinks are sometimes more expensive than beer and wine, we don’t offer discounts for non-drinkers.

I’m under 18. Can I drink alcohol on the tour?

If you are under the legal drinking age of the country you’re in, we’ll provide you with non-alcoholic drinks. Guides are not able to bend this rule, as it would be against the law and wouldn’t be fair on the law-abiding establishments we visit.

Booking Your Tour

Should i take the tour at the beginning of my stay.

Definitely! Anytime is a good time to take a Devour Tour. But if it works for your schedule, it’s best to take the tour at the beginning of your trip. Why? As well as feeding our guests delicious food and fun facts during the tour, part of our goal is to give you the tools you need to tackle eating in the city all on your own. After our tour you’ll be able to lead your own self-guided tour with the recommendations of your guide. You’ll also receive our Devouring Guide, which is packed with our top recommendations for eating in the city.

Do we just walk around and eat food?

We aim to fill bellies and minds and so our tours are so much more than a just a tasting experience! Your guide will tell you about the city, its history, monuments, and food evolution. During your experience you will learn loads about local culinary history, the current food scene, typical plates, and ingredients.

Do I have to buy my tour tickets in advance? Can I just turn up and pay in cash?

All tour tickets must be purchased in advance through this website. We don’t allow walk-ups or cash payments on the day. You can book a tour through this website up until one hour before the tour start time. But our tours do often sell out in advance, and we’d hate you to miss out so to ensure you get the time and date you want, please book well in advance.

Can I get an invoice for my booking?

If you’d like an invoice, please contact us at  BEFORE  purchasing and we’d be happy to arrange this for you.

How do I pay for the tour?

When you book your tour through our secure booking system, you will be able to pay with credit card.

Is your booking system secure?

Yes, always. We use a secure connection and your personal data and credit card details are encrypted. Our secure server uses ‘Secure Socket Layer’ (SSL) technology, the online industry’s standard. Our SSL certificate has been issued by Cloudflare.

I’m a solo traveller. Can I book a tour too?

Of course you can! One of the great things about our tours is the chance to meet other fellow foodies. If you’re still the only one booked 36~48 hours before your tour, we’ll get in touch with you to offer a couple of options: switching to a different tour that has other guests booked on or a full refund.

Are your tours suitable for kids?

We love having curious kids and their parents on our daytime tours! Keep in mind that there is a fair bit of walking involved and the samples may not always be what children are used to. Any doubts, just get in touch.

Children under 5 who won’t be eating can come along free of charge on our small-group tours! Just make a note when booking so we know they’ll be joining you. We remind parents that strollers can be cumbersome on the small streets and there’s often no room for them in the eateries, so please use carriers for babies when possible.

Finally, please note that most of our evening tours are for adults 18 and over.

What if a tour is full? Can you squeeze me in?

Given the traditional and often small establishments we visit, we’re unable to exceed the guest limits on a tour. But please get in touch and we’ll let you know what your options are.

Is there a waiting list?

There’s no official waiting list. If a tour is full, please feel free to contact us and we’ll see if we can open another tour.

Something came up! Can I cancel or reschedule my tour?

We allow free cancellations and date changes (pending availability) up to 24 hours before your tour date. You can view and manage your booking online by going to Devourtours.com and clicking on My Booking . You then enter the confirmation number from your booking (available on your confirmation email) and either the email address or mobile phone number that you provided during the booking process to retrieve your booking. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 24 hours of a tour date.

Do you offer private tours?

While we currently do not over small private tours, we do offer experiences for larger groups in all of our Spanish cities. You can find more information here:

Who are the guides?

We know that along with the food, the most important thing on a food tour is the guide. And that’s why we work with the smartest, most passionate, most talented bunch of storytelling gurus around. Our guides not only know and love their countries, they also have a rare knack for making our guests just as excited about their homes as they are.

I see you have food tours in more than one city. Are they all the same?

Not at all! A number of our guests take tours in more than one city. Why? Because in each place we offer tours, we give you a true taste of the local cuisine, insight into the local culture, and tailored tips for tackling the food scene in that city. Every tour is unique and complements the other experiences that we offer. So, if you’re hungry enough, we’d love to welcome you on a tour in more than one Devour city!

What if I’m running late for the tour?

Our tours start right on time so that the food doesn’t get cold. When you book a tour you will receive an email confirmation from us with the meeting details for that tour. It is essential to be on time (we recommend arriving 15 minutes early) as we are unable to wait for latecomers, and you will not be able to catch up to the group. Late arrivals and no-shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after a tour’s departure.

Are bathrooms available during the tour?

There are bathrooms are stops throughout each tour (though not necessarily at all stops). Please check with your guide.

Are cameras allowed on the tour?

Not only are they allowed, they’re encouraged! And please share your experience with us by tagging any pictures with our social media accounts!

Can I shop during the tour?

Our tours do include some time to shop at certain food shops, however unscheduled stops are discouraged for the sake of finishing the tour on time and out of respect to other guests. If you’d like to return to any shops or stops for shopping after the tour, please ask your guide for directions.

What happens if it’s raining?

Grab an umbrella and get ready for some delicious food! Our tours are held rain or shine. Please check the conditions and dress appropriately.

Is the tour wheelchair and baby stroller accessible?

Unfortunately, due to small alleyways and multilevel restaurants, our tours are not wheelchair or baby stroller accessible.

Do the tour guides expect gratuities?

Gratuities are greatly appreciated, although never expected nor mandatory. The standard gratuity in the tour industry is 10-15%.

What language are your tours in?

Currently our small group tours are offered exclusively in English, but if you would like a private experience in another language, please get in touch and we can see if it is possible to accommodate your group.

Payments and Cancellation

What payment methods do you accept.

All payment must be made by credit card, either over the phone with our Customer Service agents or directly through our website’s booking engine, which transmits your credit card data securely and assures you the highest level of protection. Our guides cannot accept cash as payment for your tour.

Do you accept the RomaPass or PariPass?

Our tours are all-inclusive packages that include all tickets and reservations fees in advance, often with exclusive early access or “skip the line” privileges to avoid long waits and cannot be used with other tickets or passes to the various museums and historical sites included.

Your website says your tours are “all-inclusive.” What does that mean?

It means the tour price listed on our website includes all tickets, reservations, and entrance fees. There won’t be any nasty surprises on the day of your tour, so you could leave your wallet at home (unless you felt like tipping your tour guide or grabbing a snack after your tour.)

Should I tip my guide?

It’s really up to you. If you enjoyed your tour and feel like you received exemplary service from your guide, it is customary to leave a tip at the end of the tour. It’s not obligatory though and we won’t hold it against you if you don’t – nor will your guide.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can view a complete summary of  our policy here .  For any further questions about our cancellation policy, please feel free to chat with us.. Contact Walks via telephone: From the US (toll-free):  +1-888-683-8670 , or International:  +1-202-684-6916 .

Does Walks offer gift cards?

Yes! You can purchase a gift card on our website  here .

Accessibility

How much can i expect to walk on your tours.

True to our name, most of our tours involve walking for at least half, if not the majority of the time. With the exception of a few of our day trips, driving tours, or boat excursions, you can expect to walk a fair amount. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.

Want to tour with us but concerned about keeping up with the group’s pace? For any further questions about our cancellation policy, please feel free to chat with us.. Contact Walks via telephone: From the US (toll-free):  +1-888-683-8670 , or International:  +1-202-684-6916 and we may be able to arrange a private tour just for you and your group.

What are the possibilities of taking one of your tours with a wheelchair, motorized scooter, or mobility limitations?

Every tour is different but for the most part, those with mobility limitations have difficulties on a group tour for a variety of reasons. Our group tours utilize multiple areas that are not accessible like staircases, narrow passages, and uneven surfaces of archeological sites.

That doesn’t mean it’s a hard no on every one of our tours. First, check the FAQ section of the tour page on our website. Usually, we communicate whether a site is accessible for those with mobility limitations there.

For Walks of Italy, we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs on most of our group tours for a variety of reasons. For example, at the Vatican Museums, wheelchair users are required to follow a different route not accessible to those not in wheelchairs. At the Colosseum, lifts are often out of order, requiring more complicated solutions. In most cases we can serve wheelchair users on a pre-arrange private tour (subject to availability), to allow the guide to adapt the route to their particular requirements. Please do get in touch with us before you book, however, and be aware that guests are responsible for propelling their own chairs – guides will be unable to do this.

For some tours, we can arrange a private tour modified with any limitations in mind. Please reach out to us via chat if you would like to discuss this possibility. Contact Walks via telephone: From the US (toll-free):  +1-888-683-8670 , or International:  +1-202-684-6916 and we may be able to arrange a private tour just for you and your group.

Every tour is different but for the most part, those with mobility limitations have difficulties on a group tour for a variety of reasons. Our group tours utilize multiple areas that are not accessible like staircases, narrow passages, and uneven surfaces of archeological sites.

That doesn’t mean it’s a hard no on every one of our tours. First, check the FAQ section of the tour page on our website. Usually, we communicate whether a site is accessible for those with mobility limitations there.

I am traveling with a small child. Can I bring a stroller on the tour?

Every tour is different but for the most part, strollers are difficult on a group tour. Some sites won’t allow strollers inside, while driving tours and day trips don’t have extra storage space within the vehicle.

That doesn’t mean it’s a hard no on every one of our tours. If you  contact us , we can see if we can arrange something.

When a stroller is allowed, please ensure it is small, lightweight, and foldable.

Before Your Tour

How far in advance should i book my tour.

It’s hard to say and differs from one tour to another. For our most popular or limited-availability tours; such as the VIP Colosseum Tour, Alone in St. Mark’s Basilica, the Pristine Sistine, Best of Milan with Last Supper Tickets, or the Rome Pasta-Making Class; we would recommend booking as soon as you can as these services often sell out months in advance. Other services such as our walking tours or regular food tours (not the cooking class) can usually be booked two to three weeks in advance, and we may have space on a standard Vatican or Colosseum tour a few days in advance – or even on the day of running! If you know what tour you want to book though, we would always say to book as soon as you can.

A tour I want to go on is sold out. Do you have a waitlist?

We don’t maintain a waitlist as we receive so many requests, we simply can’t follow up properly with everyone. We recommend checking periodically to see if space becomes available on a sold-out tour.

Do you accept last-minute bookings?

When we have space! If you can’t book on our website, a tour may be off-sale because it’s within a day or two of the start time.

What should I bring for my tour?

Every tour requires a few items to be best prepared.

• Comfortable shoes. We #takewalks so making sure you can navigate along uneven surfaces, dirt paths, cobblestone, etc. is essential.
• Water. Humans need water so we suggest bringing some along!
• Sunshield. A hat, sunglasses, parasol, and/or sunscreen will help in those warmer months.  There are several attractions that are not well shaded.
• Weather shield. A coat, rain jacket, and/or umbrella, and layers are suggested for cooler months. (Remember our tours run rain or shine!)
• Photo ID. Some tours/sites require photo ID with date of birth on it.
• Confirmation ID. Make sure this is easily accessible.
• Student ID. If you booked a student ticket, you will need to provide your student ID.

Should I print and bring my confirmation email?

We strongly encourage you to print your confirmation letter, mostly because it contains valuable information regarding the meeting point, Walks’ contact details, photos, and maps to help you get there. Those tech-savvy individuals might want to bookmark it on your phone so you can easily pull it up for your own reference.

A physical or digital copy of this confirmation email is not required to join your tour. Your guide (or tour coordinator) will have your name in our database so if you know the name on the booking, you’re set!

It’s raining. Will my tour still run?

Our tours run rain or shine, and our guides are great at navigating through various weather conditions to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible. They will find shade where they can, overhangs to pause under – stuff like that.

On very rare occasions if the weather is particularly dramatic some sites may close (e.g. the Colosseum may close in case of flooding). If time allows and we have prior warning, we will contact you as soon as we find out.

My tour includes a visit to a holy site. What should I wear?

Due to the religious nature of holy sites such as churches and catacombs, all individuals regardless of gender and age must cover their shoulders and knees. During warmer seasons, you can bring extra covering (scarves, sweaters, sarongs, etc.) to put on just before entering.

What type of shoes should I wear?

True to our name, we #takewalks! Most of our tours involve walking for at least half, if not the majority of the time. We strongly recommend wearing comfortable shoes where you can navigate a variety of surfaces including cobblestone, pavement, dirt pathways, and city streets.

Meeting Point

Where do i meet my tour guide.

Once you book, you will receive an email confirmation. This confirmation will show you the meeting point address, a short description of how to locate once at that address, and a meeting time. We meet for a tour 15 minutes prior to the tour start time so we can get everyone checked in, and ready to #takewalks!

We generally (with a few exceptions) use meeting points that can be easily located on Google Maps.

Here is an example:

Meeting Point: Via delle Terme di Tito, 72 (Oppio Caffè) Meet directly across the street from Oppio Caffè at the gated entrance to Colle Oppio Park.

This meeting point is located at Via delle Terme di Tito 72 which you can easily put into Google Maps and find the exact location. Then once you arrive at that address (which is Oppio Caffè), you would look across the street to the gates of Colle Oppio park and see your guide waiting for you!

How will I recognize my tour guide?

Your guide (or a tour coordinator) will be at the meeting point 15 minutes prior to the tour start time. They will be holding a sign with the Walks logo and the words “MEET HERE” on it.

Our meeting point sign looks something like this:

We understand you might have trouble getting around a new city. We strongly recommend allowing plenty of time to arrive for your tour – but things happen.

What If I’m running late to my tour?

Please note that we ask all guests to arrive at the tour meeting point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of their tour.

If you have difficulty finding the meeting point or are delayed along the way, please call any of the following emergency numbers: the emergency phone number in Italy,  +39-069-480-4888  or for tours in Paris,  +33-176-36-0101  not our regular Customer Service number.

If you are running late, it’s best to contact us so we can reach out to your guide. This is not always possible for all tours – our guides are with other clients and are already on the tour (we ask them not to use their phones during their tour). But in some cases, a few minutes delay can be remedied. Most times, guides leave the meeting point within 5 minutes of the tour start time.

In some cases, we may be able to reschedule your tour with a small amendment fee depending on availability. You must contact us within 24 hours of the missed tour to make this amendment.

During/After Your Tour

Oops i have the headset provided to me on the tour. how do i return it.

Thanks in advance for thinking of us! Headsets are a valuable asset to us and the sites we visit. We typically can arrange to pick up the headset from your hotel if you have already left the tour area. For any further questions about our cancellation policy, please feel free to chat with us.  Or, contact Walks via telephone: From the US (toll-free): +1-888-683-8670 , or International:  +1-202-684-6916 as soon as possible.

Do you run private tours?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept private requests at this time. To provide the highest quality services, we devote our resources to small group tours to guarantee an intimate and personal experience and the best possible value for our clients. If you require a wheelchair itinerary, please reach out to us.

Are your tours only offered in English?

Yes. Our tours are all given in English. We don’t offer multi-language tours, which means you’ll never have to wait while a tour guide speaks first in English, then in German, then in Italian. (Believe us, it happens!)

My tour includes food and I have dietary restrictions. What should I do?

We do our very best to accommodate dietary restrictions – we know food is important to everyone! We do need a heads-up of your dietary needs well before your tour so it is best to contact us as soon as you book – feel free to email us at  [email protected] . Contact Walks via telephone: From the US (toll-free):  +1-888-683-8670 , or International:  +1-202-684-6916 .

In some instances, substitutions are just not possible. For example, our Pasta Making Class, by its nature, is not suitable for celiacs nor is the pizza-making part of our Rome Food Tour.

For guests with severe food allergies, we recommend avoid taking a food tour and being very careful with all food in a foreign country, which isn’t always labeled to U.S.-standards.

Can you recommend good restaurants?

Not only do we love art, history, and culture – we LOVE food. Our guides are all locals who want you to have an incredible experience while visiting their city. They would be delighted to point you in the direction of their favorite spots in the area. Just ask them!

Policies by Location

My tour includes a church visit, what should i wear.

Dress code at Catholic churches and religious sites (such as the catacombs) requires that both women and men cover their shoulders and knees. In summer we recommend that men wear t-shirts and long shorts that cover their knees. For women, if you are wearing a strapless top or dress, bring a cardigan. If you are wearing shorts, we recommend bringing a sarong to wrap around you inside.

Can I bring my bag inside the Colosseum?

Due to a new set of rules, you may only carry a small backpack or handbag inside the Colosseum. As there is no bag storage at the Colosseum, guests who bring large bags on their tour may be unable to join their group. All visitors undertake a more thorough security check at the Colosseum, which can cause delays.

Is there much walking on your Colosseum tours?

YES! Any tour that covers the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill include a lot of walking (that applies even more to our Best of Rome tour). Our tours shouldn’t present too much of a challenge to anyone with a normal fitness level in good health. If you want to visit the Colosseum but are concerned about the activity levels, consider our Colosseum by Night Tour.

I am claustrophobic, should I take your Crypts, Bones & Catacombs Tour?

Probably not. Our Crypts, Bones & Catacombs Tour includes a visit to the Rome Catacombs, which are a series of long underground passages. While they are quite open and moderately well-lit (and perfectly safe), they may not be suitable for anyone with particularly bad claustrophobia. If you think you are likely to experience panic in these situations, we recommend that you do not opt for this particular tour.

I would like to take the Rome in a Day Tour, but I’m concerned it might be too difficult for members of my group.

Seeing all of Rome in a single day is pretty tiring. We do leave time for a lunch break during which you can rest, and our guides are always very conscious to pace our tours to suit your group. For guests with a normal fitness level and good health, it won’t be too much but if someone in your party has issues with mobility or fitness, we would recommend that you take the Best of Rome and Vatican Highlights on separate days, to give you time to rest in between.

Are your Rome Food Tour and Pasta-Making Class suitable for people with dietary requirements?

Our Rome Food Tour can be tailored to suit most dietary requirements so long as you give us enough notice to prepare. The pizza-making section of the tour is not suitable for coeliacs. Our Pasta-Making Class, by its nature, is not suitable for coeliacs but should be okay for everyone else. While we will do our best to accommodate guests with food preferences or allergies, please note that it will not always be possible to make a substitution – for example the bread, meat and cheese shop on the Rome Food Tour will always be visited and tastings cannot be substituted. For guests with severe food allergies, we recommend not taking a food tour and being very careful with all food in Italy, which isn’t always labeled to U.S.-standards.

What should I wear to the Vatican Museums?

The Vatican Museums have a very strict dress code, requiring that all visitors cover their shoulders and knees. Men should be careful to wear long shorts, while women should wear skirts beneath the knee or trousers. If you are wearing a sleeveless top, please bring a cardigan with you. Guests who arrive at the Museums without the appropriate dress may be refused entry.

Can I bring a bag with me to the Vatican Museums?

According to Vatican Museum rules, only small bags can be brought inside the Museums. Handbags and small backpacks (no larger than 40cm x 35cm x 25cm) may be carried inside but anything larger than that, plus large umbrellas, must be checked at the cloakroom. Items may be left at the cloakroom without charge but please note that you must return to this spot to collect your belongings before 5pm or return the following day. As our tours mostly end at St. Peter’s Basilica this is quite inconvenient, as you will be required to walk about 20 minutes from there back to the entrance of the Museums. In the case of our Vatican Highlights Tour, guests may have to leave the tour early to reach the cloakroom before it closes and will not be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica.

Where does my Vatican tour start and end?

All of our Vatican tours start at an easy-to-find location near the entrance to the Museums. In the case of our Pristine Sistine, and Full Day Vatican tours, you will end at St. Peter’s Basilica, which is a 20-minute walk from the entrance to the Museums. For our Vatican Highlights Tour, you have a choice. Your tour ends inside the Sistine Chapel where you are welcome to stay or continue exploring the Museums. Alternatively, follow your guide for special skip-the-line access to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Do your Vatican tours include Skip-the-Line Access?

Yes. All of our Vatican tours include skip-the-line access as standard. This means that we use the special group entrance with pre-reserved timed-entry tickets, so you’ll never have to wait in long general access lines. For extra special entry, check out our Pristine Sistine Tour. Any of our group tours that visit St. Peter’s Basilica also include skip-the-line access there.

Do your Vatican tours include St. Peter’s Basilica?

Most do – our Pristine Sistine, Complete Vatican, and Full Day Vatican tours include guided tours of St. Peter’s Basilica and, although our Vatican Highlights Tour doesn’t include a guided tour, you can follow your guide for special skip-the-line access, getting you inside the basilica to explore on your own. Please note, however, that St. Peter’s Basilica is a functioning church and is often used for religious ceremonies. The basilica is therefore closed on occasion without previous warning. In these cases, we do endeavor to warn you and your guide will provide you with a longer tour inside the Vatican Museums.

Please note that St. Peter’s Basilica is closed most Wednesdays when the Papal Audience takes place in St. Peter’s Square.

Can I take photos inside the Sistine Chapel?

No, non, ne, nee, absolutely not. And the Sistine Chapel guards are scary, so we don’t recommend trying it.

Do you provide tours of the Vatican Scavi?

No. Tours of the Vatican Scavi (a.k.a. the Vatican Necropolis) may only be booked directly through the Vatican authority responsible for caring for them. Access is limited to only a few groups a day and tours are in huge demand though, so we recommend booking a few months before your trip where possible. For reservations email  [email protected] .

Do you sell Papal Audience tickets?

We don’t – nor should anyone else! Tickets to the Papal Audience are provided free by the Vatican. Tickets are sometimes available from the Swiss Guard at the entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica, by the bronze doors, between the hours of 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm the day before. Tickets are limited to only 10 per person however and are not guaranteed.

If it rains, or if there is “acqua alta” (high water), will my tour still run?

Yes! All Walks of Italy services will run rain or shine. On some very rare occasions, when the weather is particularly dramatic, some sites may be closed. In these cases, we will try to contact you in advance, where possible.

Can I bring a bag into the Doge’s Palace?

Although you are unable to carry large backpacks around the Doge’s Palace, there is a free bag check at the entrance. Feel free to leave handbags and purses here too and collect them after your tour.

Can I bring my children on the Doge’s Palace Secret Passages Tour?

Unfortunately, children under the age of 6 years old are not allowed to join the Doge’s Palace Secret Passages tour due to Doge’s Palace safety policy.

I suffer from claustrophobia, should I take the Doge’s Palace Secret Passages Tour?

The Doge’s Palace Secret Passages Tour visits the secret archives and hidden passages of the Palace. This means that the tour does enter some small, relatively dark spaces between rooms. If you are nervous of this or suffer from claustrophobia, we advise that you don’t take this tour.

Is there air conditioning in the passages featured in the Doge’s Palace Secret Passages Tour?

There is no AC, so the passages can become quite hot over the course of the Doge’s Palace Secret Passages Tour.

What should I wear in St. Mark’s Basilica and other churches?

At St. Mark’s Basilica, as at all Catholic churches and religious sites, visitors are asked to cover their shoulders and knees. For men this means long shorts or trousers, while women should wear long skirts or trousers. If you are wearing shorter shorts, please bring a sarong or similar to cover up. If your top is sleeveless, we recommend that you bring a cardigan.

Is your Venice Food Tour suitable for people with dietary requirements?

With enough notice, we can tailor our Venice Food Tour to suit most dietary requirements, although this tour is not suitable at all for coeliacs. Please contact our Customer Service team at [email protected] as far in advance as possible to allow us to prepare. While we will do our best to accommodate guests with food preferences or allergies, please note that it will not always be possible to make a substitution, so that guests may enjoy fewer tastings than others. As we are visiting local businesses, we cannot guarantee that there may not be traces of some ingredients. If you have a very severe allergy, we recommend that you do not take our food tour and that you are particularly careful in Italy, where food is often not marked to U.S. standards.

Should I take a gondola ride or boat tour?

That depends on where you’re going! Venice gondolas are best for the atmosphere and travel quite slowly. They are therefore best for the small quiet back canals of the city. If you are traveling between two points, however, or want to tour busier waterways such as the Grand Canal and the wider lagoon, we’d recommend a motorboat.

What should I wear in the Florence Duomo and other churches?

Dress code at Catholic churches and religious sites requires that both women and men cover their shoulders and knees. In summer we recommend that men wear t-shirts and long shorts that cover their knees. For women, if you are wearing a strapless top or dress, bring a cardigan. If you are wearing shorts, we recommend bringing a sarong to wrap around you inside.

Can I take photographs of Michelangelo’s ‘David’?

Currently, you can. Guards at the Accademia have relaxed rules around photography inside the gallery so you are allowed to take photos of David, although we cannot guarantee how long this will last.

Is your Florence Food Tour suitable for people with dietary requirements?

With enough notice, we can tailor our Florence Food Tour to suit most dietary requirements. Please contact our Customer Service team at [email protected]

as far in advance as possible to allow us to prepare. While we will do our best to accommodate guests with food preferences or allergies, please note that it will not always be possible to make a substitution, so that guests may enjoy fewer tastings than others. As we are visiting local businesses, we cannot guarantee that there may not be traces of some ingredients. If you have a very severe allergy, we recommend that you do not take our food tour and that you are particularly careful in Italy, where food is often not marked to U.S. standards.

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Bay Cruise ferry tour Around Alcatraz Island -->

Embark on a thrilling san francisco city exploration & bay cruise dive into city magic with a private tour, uncover treasures, explore landmarks, and enjoy a nautical escapade under the golden gate bridge. get ready for an adventure-packed day, description.

• CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

🌉🚢 Embark on a thrilling San Francisco City Exploration & Bay Cruise! Immerse yourself in city magic with a private guided tour in a luxurious vehicle. Uncover hidden treasures, explore landmarks, and bask in beach and park beauty. Brace for an unforgettable nautical escapade sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. Picture-perfect moments await!

Seize the moment! Book a spot for a day of endless fun on this all-inclusive-combo adventure in the heart of San Francisco. Reserve now to make this day your unforgettable tale!

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🕘 Leg A: Explore San Francisco (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

• ● 9 a.m. : Kickstart your day with a meet-and-greet and complimentary hotel pickup in downtown San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf, or nearby areas.
• ● 🚗 Embark on a Tailored Adventure : Enjoy a personalized guided tour in a luxury SUV or spacious Van. No planning needed; customize the itinerary based on your preferences or let the guide curate a seamless experience.

• ● 🌉 Iconic Landmarks: Visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, Nob Hill, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, and more. Explore the cultural tapestry of SF, capturing diverse vibes and much more
• ● 🚀 Spectacular Finale: Conclude your adventure with the Bay Cruise experience.

🕑 Leg B: Bay Cruise Adventure (2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

• ● 2:30 p.m .: Board our 60-minute San Francisco Bay Cruise.
• ● 🚢 Unobstructed Views: Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, pass by PIER 39 sea lions, circle Alcatraz Island, and cruise the historic waterfront.
• ● 🎤 Full Narration: Enjoy insights into major landmarks with indoor and outdoor seating.
• ● 🌅 Panoramic Vistas: Marvel at the picturesque Alcatraz Island and the city skyline.
• ● 🎧 Audio Tour : Free multi-language audio tour available.

🚢 Dive into the magic of San Francisco with "Splendors Afloat," a 60-minute nautical adventure offering prime photo opportunities and iconic landmarks. Embark on a captivating journey that defines the essence of SF, combining scenic wonders with shopping delights. Join us for an unforgettable day on the water!

🚢🏞️ Dive into the ultimate thrill ride with your Bay Cruise and San Francisco adventure – Your Bay Cruise and San Francisco combo adventure unfolds in two thrilling acts:

A - The first leg of this private combo tour (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.): Explore San Francisco

🚗 🚐 9 a.m. – Kickstart your adventure with the San Francisco and Alcatraz Combo Private Tour Itinerary. Begin the day with a lively meet-and-greet at 9 a.m. and enjoy complimentary pickup at your hotel in downtown San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf, or nearby areas.

🏰 🚋 Embark on a Tailored Adventure: Immerse yourself in a personalized guided tour of San Francisco's iconic attractions and exclusive sights. This Stress-Free Journey Through San Francisco requires no prior planning or special requests. Your private tour guide, leading in a luxury SUV or spacious Van tailored to your needs, ensures a fun-filled exploration of the city's top places, complete with numerous photo stops and entertaining stories. The trip itinerary will be customized based on your preferences, allowing you the freedom to ask questions, skip a place, or add one seamlessly. Rest assured, if you have no specific preferences, the tour guide will curate the experience in the best way possible. So, relax and enjoy the guided tour, with abundant photo opportunities along the way, inviting you to step out, capture stunning views, and delve into the history and entertaining local stories shared by your knowledgeable guide.

🌉 🏖️San Francisco, renowned for its iconic landmarks and vibrant culture, boasts a plethora of must-see attractions. Commence your adventure with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, a marvel of engineering set against the city's stunning backdrop. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Fisherman's Wharf, a waterfront district bustling with shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

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B - The second leg of the tour transports you enjoy the bay cruise adventure from 2:30 p.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m.

📷 🚢 Splendors Afloat: Dive into the Magic of San Francisco Bay – A 60-Minute Nautical Adventure! Join us now and embark on a 60-minute San Francisco Bay Cruise, a captivating journey offering unobstructed views and prime photo opportunities. Sail under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, pass by the lively PIER 39 sea lions, circle the enigmatic Alcatraz Island, and cruise along San Francisco's historic waterfront, revealing the city's fascinating skyline.

🏖️ 🏭 With both indoor and outdoor seating, our comfortable cruise features full narration, providing insights into major landmarks. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the world-famous bay, marvel at the picturesque Alcatraz Island, and enjoy panoramic vistas of the city. Our narrated ferry sightseeing tour offers a unique and captivating perspective, making it an unforgettable experience for both locals and visitors.

🌈 🏰 Don't miss the chance to explore San Francisco from the water with our Bay Cruise – a nautical wonder that defines the essence of the city. Plus, enjoy a free multi-language audio tour available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean, German, and Taiwanese. Bring your Wi-Fi enabled device to access this informative tour during your mesmerizing cruise experience.

🚐 Note : Please be aware that this cruise does not land on Alcatraz Island but provides a scenic journey around it. For your convenience, the drop-off back at your hotel is not included in the cost, ensuring you get the best value for your experience. We recommend staying in one of the hotels in the vibrant Fisherman's Wharf area, all conveniently within walking distance from the cruise ferry terminal. This not only enhances your overall experience but also provides a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. Make the most of your visit with a stay in this charming waterfront neighborhood!

🌉🚢 Embark on a thrilling San Francisco City Exploration & Bay Cruise! Immerse yourself in city magic with a private guided tour in a luxurious vehicle. Uncover hidden treasures, explore landmarks, and bask in beach and park beauty. Brace for an unforgettable nautical escapade sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. Picture-perfect moments await! Seize the moment! Book a spot for a day of endless fun on this all-inclusive-combo adventure in the heart of San Francisco. Reserve now to make this day your unforgettable tale!

🕘 Leg A: Explore San Francisco (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.) - San Francisco Exploration:

• ● 🚐 9 a.m. : Kickstart your day with a meet-and-greet and complimentary hotel pickup in downtown San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf, or nearby areas.
• ● 🌟 Embark on a Tailored Adventure : Enjoy a personalized guided tour in a luxury SUV or spacious Van. No planning needed; customize the itinerary based on your preferences or let the guide curate a seamless experience.
• ● 🌉 Iconic Landmarks : Visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, Nob Hill, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, and more. Explore the cultural tapestry of SF, capturing diverse vibes and much more.
• ● ✨ Tailored Adventure : Embark on a personalized guided tour in a luxury vehicle tailored to your preferences.
• ● 🌉 Golden Gate Marvel : Begin with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, a marvel against San Francisco's stunning backdrop.
• ● 🛍️ Union Square : Indulge in retail therapy at Union Square, San Francisco's ultimate retail playground.
• ● 💎 Nob Hill : Ascend to the pinnacle of luxury, experiencing the grace of the Cathedral and cable cars.
• ● 🌆 Cultural Tapestry : Explore Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, Sea Cliff, Lands’ End, Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, Little Italy, and the Financial District.
• ● 🚋 Tony Bennett Monument : Witness the iconic cable cars ascending from the financial district.
• ● 🌈 Vibrant Journey in the City by The Bay : Embark on a vibrant journey exploring iconic San Francisco attractions: Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, Nob Hill, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, Sea Cliff, Lands’ End, Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, Little Italy, Financial District, Twin Peaks, Castro District, Palace of Fine Arts, Alamo Square, Mission Dolores, Castro District, Alcatraz Island, and much more…

🚢 🌉 Dive into the magic of San Francisco with "Splendors Afloat," a 60-minute nautical adventure offering prime photo opportunities and iconic landmarks. Embark on a captivating journey that defines the essence of SF, combining scenic wonders with shopping delights. Join us for an unforgettable day on the water!

• ● 2:30 p.m. : Board our 60-minute San Francisco Bay Cruise.
• ● 🎤 Full Narration : Enjoy insights into major landmarks with indoor and outdoor seating.
• ● 🌅 Panoramic Vistas : Marvel at the picturesque Alcatraz Island and the city skyline.
• ● Please be aware that this cruise does not land on Alcatraz Island but provides a scenic journey around it.
• ● For your convenience, the drop-off back at your hotel is not included in the cost, ensuring you get the best value for your experience. We recommend staying in one of the hotels in the vibrant Fisherman's Wharf area, all conveniently within walking distance from the cruise ferry terminal. This not only enhances your overall experience but also provides a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. Make the most of your visit with a stay in this charming waterfront neighborhood!

This exclusive SUV tour is entirely private, with pricing based on a per-person basis and decreases considerably as you add more people to your party. It's important to mention that we do not provide semi-private or public tours; all our excursions are exclusively private.

Book this Tour by SUV

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This exclusive van tour ensures complete privacy in a deluxe 15-seater minibus, perfect for accommodating 1 to 14 participants. The pricing, displayed per party below, caters to large families or small groups. Please note that this tour is exclusively private, unavailable for public or individual bookings. We do not offer semi-private or public tours, focusing solely on exclusive private experiences.

Book this Tour by VAN

🎉 What's Included:

Discover the best of San Francisco with our 4-hour City Tour and Bay Cruise around Alcatraz Island! Included in this package are all applicable taxes, a private and guided 4-hour tour in a luxury vehicle, and complimentary pick-up in San Francisco downtown, Fisherman's Wharf, and nearby areas. Your adventure continues with Bay Cruise tickets.

❌ Excluded : Meals, optional features, and your tour guide gratuity (15%-20% recommended). Show your appreciation to your tour guide. The drop-off at your hotel after the Bay Cruise is excluded to optimize costs, allowing you the freedom to explore Fisherman's Wharf in the afternoon.

Important Notes:

• Please note that the bay cruise does not land on Alcatraz Island but offers a scenic tour around it.
• On the half-day tour, we don't cross the Golden Gate Bridge due to time constraints, but it's included in our full-day San Francisco city tour.
• The itinerary may vary based on time, road or weather conditions, pick-up location, and preferences. In inclement weather, some areas/places may be skipped for safety or visibility reasons.
• Tour times may change based on the season and Bay Cruise tickets and tour availability . Booking early is advised, as they tend to sell out weeks and months in advance.
• Vehicles with 7 passengers or more are restricted from certain San Francisco locations. We recommend our SUV tour option for the best access to sights like Lombard Street, Alamo Square, Coit Tower, Telegraph Hill, Seacliff neighborhood, and more.
• Large vehicles and vans are restricted from many sites, attractions, landmarks, and neighborhoods. The SUV tour option allows you to explore areas prohibited for larger vehicles in the city.
• Smoking is not permitted in our vehicles.
• Our vehicles are not pet-friendly and are not equipped for passengers with disabilities or wheelchairs. Thank you for your understanding.
• The Bay Cruise ferry operates seasonally and is subject to cancellation due to bad weather (rain, wind, or fog). In case weather conditions prevent your Bay Cruise journey after your San Francisco City Tour, you will receive a partial refund for the Bay Cruise tickets only; however, the San Francisco City Tour is non-refundable.
• Bay Cruise tickets are final sales and non-refundable.

Policy & Drop-off Notification:

• Drop off is not included: Upon the conclusion of your tour, our guide will drop you off at the Pier 39 terminal. Please note that our driver won't be available to wait for your return from the Bay Cruise. You'll need to arrange your transportation back to your hotel. This method assists in managing tour costs, preventing overtime fees and additional charges for you. For convenience, we recommend staying in the Fisherman’s Wharf area. Consider booking a nearby hotel with convenient walking access to and from the Pier 39 ferry terminal. Additionally, downtown San Francisco is easily accessible via two nearby cable car lines.

Language Options & Tour Details :

• Our guided tours are primarily conducted in English. For tours in other languages, additional fees apply and are subject to availability.

Transportation Tips : San Francisco experiences high traffic, especially during rush hours. Opt for public transit like Muni or BART, meeting our guide at suitable locations such as train stations or nearby neighborhoods.

Disability Accommodation & Wheelchair Accessibility Policy:

Notice: Full-size wheelchairs can't be accommodated on our tours due to safety and itinerary constraints. We recommend exploring specialized paratransit options for a more comfortable experience. Please inform us in advance for any disability accommodations or special needs.

• Safety First: Disclose any special needs or disabilities before booking for a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Advance Disclosure: We require advance disclosure of any disability or specific needs.
• Service Decline: We reserve the right to decline service without prior information.
• Wheelchair Constraints: Full-size wheelchairs can't be accommodated; limited space may be available for small, foldable wheelchairs.
• Private Tours: Wheelchair transportation is not available on private tours due to insurance and safety regulations.
• Alternate Options: Explore specialized paratransit options for suitable accommodation.
• Safety Precaution: We may refuse undisclosed disability accommodation requests for the well-being of customers and employees.

Travel Tips & FAQs: Where to Stay, Park, and What to See in San Francisco

• Weather Conditions: San Francisco enjoy ideal weather—never too hot or too cold. It’s great year-round, but layers up even in summer. Summers can be cool and foggy while winter is the rainy season (late October–early April). Dress appropriately with a rain jacket (windbreaker), sneakers or hiking shoes for trails, and bring an umbrella just in case.
• Booking Your Tour: Itinerary and pick-up times vary based on season and availability. Book in advance, the sooner you book, the better.

● Pets: Pets are not allowed in our vehicles to accommodate those who have allergies.

● Clothing : Note that San Francisco is often foggy, especially in the summer, and it can be rainy in winter. Dress in layers and always bring a jacket, and please be prepared for all weather conditions.

Fisherman’s Wharf Highlights

• Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco offers a family-friendly escape from the city buzz. It features numerous attractions, museums, and ocean-front dining. Enjoy renowned spots like Musée Mécanique, Madame Tussauds, and the San Francisco Dungeon for a thrilling experience. The area also hosts the Maritime National Historical Park and USS Pampanito Museum among others.

Cable Car Convenience

• For easy exploration, the iconic cable car lines connect Fisherman’s Wharf to downtown San Francisco. It's a convenient way to experience the city's beauty and reach different attractions.

Parking Precautions

Parking in the area is limited and pricey, with common car break-ins. To avoid this, we recommend public transit or designated parking lots. Here are some nearby options:

• SP+ Parking 33 Pier 33, San Francisco, CA 94111
• 1282 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94511
• Levi's Plaza Public Garage: 1426 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94111
• ParcTel Public Parking: 1603 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94111
• SP+ Parking @ Big Triangle Lot -Parking lot, 2 Bay St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Transportation Tips

• San Francisco experiences high traffic, especially during rush hours. Opt for public transit like Muni or BART, meeting our guide at suitable locations such as train stations or nearby neighborhoods.

Why Stay in Fisherman’s Wharf? Fisherman’s Wharf is a family-focused area away from San Francisco's hustle and bustle. It offers access to Alcatraz ferries, Bay Cruises, and Pier 39 attractions within walking distance.

Your FAQ guide for Fisherman’s Wharf: Where to Stay, Park, and Meet

Useful links and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Fisherman’s Wharf:

Where to stay and dine in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf? Find out more at https://www.fishermanswharf.org/hotels/.

Where to park near San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf? Explore options here: https://sfparkingguide.com/fishermans-wharf-parking/.

Where to meet in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf? Visitors outside San Francisco will receive details regarding a designated hotel or meeting point for pick-up. For parking, visit: https://www.fishermanswharf.org/plan-your-visit/getting-around/parking/.

What else to explore in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf? Discover more here: https://www.fishermanswharf.org/plan-your-visit/.

Where to find parking near Alcatraz Ferry Landing Area and Pier 39 in San Francisco? Kindly note, we are not associated with the public parking lots listed below. Visitors are advised to exercise discretion while selecting parking. Our listing is offered as a courtesy; we bear no responsibility for costs or incidents resulting from this information.

Getting Around San Francisco : The city experiences high traffic, especially during rush hours (7 a.m to 11 a.m and 2 p.m to 8 p.m). Consider using public transit like Muni (buses, light rail, and cable cars) or BART (train) for convenience. Meeting points include San Francisco Train Station, various BART stations, Fisherman’s Wharf, The Presidio, or nearby neighborhoods. Upon reservation, we’ll arrange a convenient meeting location via email.

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Terms, Policy, Frequently Asked Questions and Tips for Customers

Alcatraz tours inc. terms & conditions including cancellation and refund policy, refund and cancellation policy:.

• Cancellation at least 16 business days before the scheduled date results in a 91% refund of the total amount (excluding weekends and holidays). The remaining 9% covers transaction fees (4.5% per booking and 4.5% for the refund).
• For cancellations at least 8 business days before the scheduled tour (excluding weekends and holidays), a 50% refund of the total amount will be provided.
• Cancellations at least 6 business days before the scheduled tour (excluding weekends and holidays) will result in a 15% refund.
• Cancellations made 5 business days or less before the scheduled tour (excluding weekends and holidays), including no-shows, are not eligible for a refund.

Refund Fees:

• A transaction fee of 4.5% to 7.9% is applicable to all refunds, varying based on your credit card type and the issuing country. This fee covers credit card transaction fees and merchant processing fees.

Additional Details:

• All tours combined with Alcatraz Island and tickets are deemed final and nonrefundable.
• Missing the ferry departure to Alcatraz precludes substitutions or alternative departures, as Alcatraz tickets are consistently sold out.
• The fees for Muir Woods parking and reservations are included in your booking. Please note that these fees, along with Alcatraz tickets, are nonrefundable in the event of a cancellation.

Why am I not eligible for a refund? Do I Need Travel Insurance?

• Irrespective of the reason for your cancellation, be it medical, business-related, weather-related, or personal, we adhere consistently to our cancellation and refund policy, treating all customers equally, as outlined on our website.
• When a booking is made, we reserve tour dates exclusively for you, foregoing other reservations. Regardless of attendance, our business incurs expenses such as tour guide and office staff wages, vehicle costs, the tour itself, Alcatraz tickets and Muir woods commercial permit fees, and other services arranged on your behalf, all of which must be fully compensated. Therefore, our refund policy is applied uniformly to account for these commitments.

Do I Need Travel Insurance? Will I Receive a Refund for Personal or Medical Cancellations?

• In cases of cancellations due to medical or personal reasons, we sympathize with the inconvenience it may cause.
• Our website clearly communicates our terms, refund, and cancellation policy during each booking. We recommend thorough consideration of individual circumstances before committing to a booking. Consistent with our business insurance, exceptions to these policies cannot be made.
• We diligently inform customers about our policies through various channels, including our website, email notifications upon booking, and inclusion with the tour voucher. Despite our efforts, some customers may seek a refund without familiarizing themselves with our policies.
• It's important to differentiate our local small business from large travel insurance companies. We do not provide travel insurance and do not consider cancellations resulting from medical situations, personal or professional matters, flight/travel interruptions. We are not qualified to offer travel insurance, as it falls under a different industry regulated by the federal government.
• Travel insurance options are available through various companies like Allianz Global Assistance, Travel Guard by AIG, USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services, Travel Insured International, World Nomads, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, IM, AXA Assistance USA, Travelex Insurance Services, Seven Corners, etc. These recommendations are based on a Google search, and we are not affiliated with these companies. Refer to your credit card company, travel agent, bank, or local travel insurance providers for more information. The Federal Government website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html is also a valuable resource.
• Prior to making a booking, please review our website terms, cancellation, and refund policy. These policies are consistently applied to all customers, irrespective of circumstances. Thank you for understanding our position as a small business. We appreciate your time in comprehending our policies.

Online Reservation, Methods of Payment, and Transactions Policy

Methods of payment and accepted credit cards:.

• We accept all major credit cards and payment options, including MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, wire transfers, Debit Cards, Euro Cards, “Cartes Bleues,” PayPal, Chinese Union Pay, and JCB.

Post-Transaction Procedures:

• Approved transactions: Upon approval by your bank, it takes approximately 7 to 10 business days for the funds to transfer to our business merchant bank account. We honor scheduled tours even if your transaction is approved close to the tour date.
• Voided and refunded transactions: These transactions, while removed from the authorized inquiry, may still appear as pending on your bank statement for up to 7 to 10 business days. To release the funds, direct communication with your bank is necessary.
• Common misconceptions: Voiding a credit card transaction doesn't immediately remove the charge from your account. Patience is advised, as banks typically take 7 to 10 business days to release the funds.

Declined Transactions: Why was your reservation declined?

• A decline may result from mismatched customer bank information, such as name, card number, expiration date, CVV, zip/postal code, or billing address. It can also occur due to insufficient funds. Your tour(s) will be confirmed upon approval of a new transaction by your bank.
• Tip: Inform your credit card company in advance of online or out-of-town/state purchases to prevent declined payments. Check for email or text alerts regarding declined transactions.

Tour Confirmation:

• Upon approval, an automated email from our merchant provider (via Authorize.net) will be sent. Subsequently, a confirmation tour voucher will be emailed. No reconfirmations are required. Simply show up at the chosen pickup location on time, and your tour guide will be there with a sign displaying your name.
• We do NOT make pre-trip calls unless for emergencies or cancellations. Contact us via email or live chat on our website for queries or requests.

During Tours:

• Tour guides do NOT take calls during tours. Contact information is available in the confirmation email. Please use email or website live chat for inquiries.

Our Hot-Air Balloon Special Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Tour details:.

• This is an 8-hour guided tour (door-to-door when departing from San Francisco or 6 hours when departing from Napa or Sonoma Valley).
• Your balloon ride is scheduled before sunrise, contingent on weather conditions. Safety is our top priority. In adverse Napa weather, rides may launch from alternative sites like Yolo County or Pope Valley. Balloons do not fly in rain or winds exceeding 12 mph.

Non-Refundable for No-Show or Last-Minute Changes:

• Generally, pick-ups occur between 4 and 5 a.m. Our staff will confirm your schedule by 4 p.m. the day before your tour. Failure to respond will result in the driver arriving as scheduled. If a no-show occurs, the entire cost becomes non-refundable as per our terms and cancellation policy.

Cancellation of Balloon Ride:

• To cancel the balloon ride portion and receive a partial refund, please notify us at least 4 business days in advance. You'll receive a $190 refund per person, credited within 7 business days back to your credit card. Viator bookings should refer to their terms. Refunds also apply if the pilot cancels on the same day due to adverse conditions.
• If the balloon ride portion is canceled, the wine tour proceeds as scheduled, starting at 9 a.m. from San Francisco or at 10 a.m. from Sonoma or Napa Valleys.

Non-Refundable Wine Tour:

• The wine tour is non-refundable irrespective of weather conditions, as we reserve the day exclusively for you. Business expenses and wages are incurred. Only the hot-air balloon ride portion is refundable when canceled at least four business days in advance.

Deadline for Changes:

• Our office closes at 4 p.m., and drivers begin preparations by 2:30 a.m. Changes or modifications are not accepted after 2:30 p.m. or on the day before your hot-air balloon trip. Messages or calls received after this time will be addressed the next day.

Transparency and Agreement:

• We are transparent about our policies on unforeseen weather conditions and cancellations. Please carefully read and understand these terms. By signing or checking the “terms & conditions” box on our website, you agree to all the above policies and the terms outlined in the tour voucher sent via email after confirmation.

General and Legal Terms, and Miscellaneous

General terms and provisions:.

• Currency: All transactions are in United States Dollars (USD). If declined, our Merchant account won't notify us. It is your responsibility to confirm transaction approval before contacting us.
• Tour Availability: Approved transactions do not ensure tour availability. Popular tours, like Alcatraz, require reservations at least 8 weeks in advance.

Additional Terms:

• Guided Tours in Foreign Languages: Additional fees apply for tours in foreign languages to cover guide expenses.
• Gratuity: A customary 15% to 20% gratuity on the total purchase amount is advised. A flat amount is common based on the situation.
• Closures: We are not responsible for road, weather, or park closures. No refund is issued for canceled or stopped tours.
• Laws and Regulations: Changes in laws and regulations may impact tour destinations. We strive to stay informed, but access cannot be guaranteed if public accessibility changes.
• Disabilities and Wheelchairs: Our vehicles are not disability or wheelchair accessible.
• Smoking: Smoking is strictly prohibited in our vehicles.
• Pets: Pets are not allowed in our vehicles due to allergy concerns.
• Minors: Minors can visit Alcatraz Island only with an adult. Restrictions may apply to other tour locations.
• Clothing: Be prepared for cold weather, slippery paths, and hiking trails. Comfortable, waterproof shoes are recommended.
• Long Day tours: may be unsuitable for children and seniors; consider overnight tour packages.
• Special Terms: Specific tours and services may have unique terms, detailed in the tour voucher sent via email.

Alcatraz Tour Guidelines:

• Tour Duration: Once on the Island, stay as long as you wish. Allocate at least 3 hours for a roundtrip, including sailing to the island, the Cellhouse audio-guided tour, exploring exhibits, and returning to the mainland. Photo ID is required for boarding Alcatraz ferries. Large bags, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, weapons, and oversized items are prohibited.
• Advance Booking: Alcatraz tickets sell out well in advance. Secure your tour promptly to avoid disappointment. Booking with us doesn't guarantee immediate Alcatraz Island ticket confirmation, as availability changes. We confirm upon approval from the U.S. National Parks Service. If tickets are unavailable, a full refund is issued.
• Minors: Minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Supervision is required at all times on Alcatraz Island, Alcatraz Landing, and aboard Alcatraz Cruises vessels.
• Food: No food service is available on Alcatraz, but snacks and beverages to purchase are available on the ferry to and from Alcatraz Island.
• Accessibility: Alcatraz features steep roads and walkways. A 1/4-mile journey with a 130-foot elevation change is required to reach the Cellhouse. The Sustainable Easy Access Transport (S.E.A.T.) vehicle is available for visitors who can't make the climb.
• Muir Woods Reservations: Advance reservations are essential for all vehicles and shuttle riders visiting Muir Woods National Monument. This is organized and included in our tours.
• Tour Guides at Muir Woods and Alcatraz Island: Tour guides cannot lead inside Muir Woods National Monument and at Alcatraz Island to maintain the sites' tranquility and historical ambiance. However, our tour guides provide detailed information in advance. Self-guided tours, maps, and audio guides are available.
• Combining Tours: Hotel pickup is included when combining an Alcatraz Island trip with our other tours. However, post-Alcatraz tour drop-off is not included. For those in the Fisherman’s Wharf district, transportation isn't necessary due to the proximity to ferry terminals.
• Minimum Drinking Age: California's minimum drinking age is 21. Some places, especially wineries and distilleries, restrict entry for anyone underage. Consider this when booking your wine tour.
• Online Calendar: Our online calendar, available in 10+ languages, governs all tours. Due to functionality, when Alcatraz tickets sell out, we can't block the calendar for those dates. Our website terms clearly outline Alcatraz tour and ticket reservation conditions.

Legal Terms and Tour Policies:

• All tours, including Muir Woods, Alcatraz and Yosemite hotels, are subject to availability, even if the transaction is approved.
• The right to void or refund a transaction is reserved when Alcatraz tickets are sold out.
• Alcatraz tickets and Muir Woods permits are exclusively provided by the U.S. National Parks Service, and their availability and regulations apply equally to all clients, including tour companies.
• These terms extend to other tours and adventures, such as Safari tours, wine tours, redwoods tours, air tours, rafting, wine train, and horseback tours. Reservations do not guarantee the tour until confirmed by email.
• A minimum of 8 business weeks' notice is required when booking Alcatraz tours, especially during peak season holidays and weekends.
• Peak season refers to April to the end of October, with the holiday season in late December and early January.
• The right to offer alternative tours is reserved when Alcatraz is sold out. Declining the offer results in a full refund, processed in approximately 10 business days.
• Customers are advised against rushing to book an Alcatraz tour directly on the website when tickets are sold out, as this does not guarantee access.
• Golden Gate Bridge crossing is included only in full-day San Francisco city tours, wine tours, and Muir Woods/Marin County tours.
• The itinerary may change based on time availability, road or weather conditions, pick-up location, and preference.
• Rainy or foggy weather may lead to the omission of certain areas/sites for safety or visibility concerns.
• Vehicles with 7 passengers or more are prohibited in specific San Francisco areas. The SUV tour option is recommended for an optimal experience.
• Meals and wine tasting fees are not included in tours unless explicitly stated on the website.
• Winery reservations are essential due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing shortages. Customers are responsible for booking wineries with their own credit cards.
• The company does not work on commission, and customers are encouraged to book their preferred wineries, restaurants and hotels.

Responsibility and Tour Change Liability:

We, acting as a tour operator or subcontractor, and/or independent tour guide/driver or subcontractor, explicitly disclaim responsibility or liability for the following:

• We do not assume responsibility for injuries, illnesses, or accidents suffered by customers during any trip or tour.
• We disclaim liability for the loss or damage of personal property, especially during embarking and disembarking from our vehicles.
• We are not liable for the inability to conduct tours or services due to vehicle breakdown, vandalism, or road/park closures.
• We are not responsible for delays, inconvenience, itinerary changes, or cancellations due to force majeure or circumstances beyond our control, including weather, traffic, road work, hazards, or closures of park attractions/wineries/monuments.
• We reserve the right to modify the tour guide/driver/vehicle/itinerary/rates and cancel tours without prior notice.
• Referral to sister companies, partners, or subcontractors or tour cancellation with a deposit refund may occur if the tour is unavailable.
• We reserve the right to remove passengers causing disturbance or posing a threat to a smooth and safe trip.
• Refusal of service to individuals displaying disruptive behavior is within our rights.
• Passengers must respect the tour guide and adhere to scheduled timeframes for stops, breaks, hiking, or site visits.
• Delays caused by non-compliance may result in overtime fees. Tours are delivered as advertised on our website.
• Meals, tour guide/driver’s gratuity, entrance fees, wine tasting fees, hotels and additional optional fees/expenses are not included unless specified on the tour voucher.
• Some tours involve physical activities with inherent risks. Participants must acknowledge risks like elevation change and car sickness.
• We disclaim responsibility for injuries or health issues resulting from physical activities during our tours.
• Customers are responsible for assessing potential risks associated with physical activity on our tours.
• Health issues should be communicated to us before making a reservation.
• Customer-initiated modifications to arrival/departure times require review and approval by our office, partners, subcontractors, and/or sister companies.
• Such modifications may incur additional fees or necessitate a new reservation.
• We may use your credit card information to expedite reservations, particularly for locations like Alcatraz Island.
• This may result in two separate transactions on your bank account for the same total amount, enhancing the likelihood of obtaining Alcatraz tickets.

Miscellaneous and Additional Terms:

• Our tour prices exclude customers’ meals and tour guides/drivers’ gratuities, unless specified on the tour voucher or email confirmation.
• Additional fees for wine tasting, accommodations, and entry fees to attractions are not included unless stated otherwise.
• All vehicles are operated by Golden Horizon Travel, Inc., and may also be operated by our partners.
• Golden Horizon Travel reserves the right to engage independent tour guides/drivers, subcontractors, and/or contractors to conduct tours, shuttle services, and travel packages based on staff shortage, high demand, last-minute bookings, or limited availability.
• In cases of weather and/or road conditions preventing the use of our standard itinerary, we will attempt alternative routes to access locations. No refunds will be issued for unforeseen conditions beyond our control.
• Photos or videos taken by our staff during tours may be used on our website. Customers agree to this usage by booking, and disputes are not entertained unless a written request is submitted before the tour.
• No substitution or refunds are provided for any unused part of the tour(s). All sales are final, and reservations are non-transferable.
• Refunds and/or voided transactions paid via credit/debit cards or PayPal may take up to 2 weeks to reflect in your account.
• Provide your main email address and cell phone number when booking for confirmation, communication of changes, or emergencies during your trip.
• Rafting, air-tours, and horseback riding necessitate providing exact weight for safety considerations.
• Seaplane, Air-tours and hot-air balloon rides are subject to Bay Area weather conditions. Partial refunds and alternative tour options may be offered, detailed in the email confirmation and tour voucher.
• Hot-air balloon rides may depart and arrive beyond Napa Valley based on weather conditions within an 80-mile radius.
• We reserve the right to refuse service to individuals or businesses not complying with safety instructions, tour itinerary, or posing threats.
• Unacceptable behavior, including yelling or insulting, may result in tour termination without refund. Discrimination is strictly prohibited.
• We and our affiliated entities reserve the right to change terms and conditions, website content, and privacy policy without prior notice.
• Only regular business-bringing travel agents qualify for commission, and the commission rate may vary.
• Travel agents are responsible for unpaid charges, tips, and overtime for their customers.
• Private tours are non-commissionable unless otherwise stated.
• Travel agents must communicate our terms and policies to their customers.
• Providing client names, contact information, and briefing on terms and policies is mandatory.
• Assistance in addressing customer difficulties during or after the tour is required.
• Quotes are not provided unless the desired tour is unavailable on the website.
• Detailed information on inclusions and pricing is available on the website. Instant quotes can be obtained during the booking process.
• Private tours cost more due to the focus on quality, personalization, and exclusivity.
• Higher expenses and minimal profit margins are explained by the small group sizes and luxury service provided.
• Access to sites restricted to large buses is a unique feature. Despite these factors, we strive to offer cost-effective experiences while maintaining quality.

Bay Cruise Tour Information:

• he Bay Cruise Tour is a 1-hour public ferry tour that does not include docking at Alcatraz Island. To book any Alcatraz tours, kindly refer to our website.
• Ferry tours typically depart hourly, and the schedules may vary depending on the season and weather conditions. The daily schedules are posted on-site by ferry staff. However, transportation back to the hotel after the ferry tour is not included to keep the cost down. You can arrange that independently. If you are staying in the Fisherman's Wharf area, it's a short walking distance from the Alcatraz ferry, the Bay Cruise ferry line, and Pier 39.
• Your San Francisco Tour and Bay Cruise Trip require no prior planning. Your guide will handle all arrangements and provide explanations during the tour.
• Ferry tours typically depart hourly, and the schedules may vary depending on the season and weather conditions. The daily schedules are posted on-site by ferry staff. However, transportation back to the hotel is not included and must be organized independently. If you are staying in the Fisherman's Wharf area, it's a short walking distance from the Alcatraz ferry, the Bay Cruise ferry line, and Pier 39.
• The decision to exclude drop-off services is a cost-saving measure, preventing additional expenses and overtime charges. Staying in the Fisherman’s Wharf area is recommended due to its proximity to key terminals and attractions.
• The Bay Cruise operates seasonally, and cancellations may occur due to adverse weather conditions such as rain, wind, or fog. If your cruise is canceled after your City Tour or Muir Woods Tour due to weather, you will receive a partial refund. Third-party operators manage the Bay Cruise tours, determining schedules and cancellations. Some services, like audio tours, may be unavailable due to the pandemic.

Note: Please check our website for the most up-to-date information on tour availability, schedules, and any pandemic-related service adjustments .

Useful Travel Tips, Recommendations, and Information

Why Stay in Fisherman’s Wharf? Fisherman’s Wharf offers a family-focused experience away from the hustle of San Francisco's downtown. This area provides all the essentials for a classic San Francisco stay, including Alcatraz ferries, Bay Cruises, and Pier 39 attractions. Numerous accommodation options within walking distance make it an ideal choice.

In the heart of San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf stands out as a well-known hub with ocean-front seafood restaurants, fun attractions, intriguing museums, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. The area boasts a variety of attractions, such as the Musée Mécanique with its antique arcade games, Madame Tussauds, and the virtual escape-room experience, Alcatraz: The Breakout Escape Room.

Explore the Maritime National Historical Park, USS Pampanito Museum and Memorial, SS Jeremiah O'Brien, Museum of 3D Illusions, Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze, Aquarium of the Bay, Sea Lion Viewing Area at Pier 39, Hyde St. Pier Historic Ships, and Ghirardelli Square—home to a Chocolate factory and diverse stores.

Cap off your visit with a ride on the famous cable car, offering a scenic tour of downtown San Francisco and nearby neighborhoods. Fisherman’s Wharf hosts two cable car lines, providing convenient transportation options.

FAQs: Where to Park, Eat, and Stay in Fisherman’s Wharf

Where to Stay and Eat in San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf? https://www.fishermanswharf.org/hotels/

Where to Park in or Near San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf? https://sfparkingguide.com/fishermans-wharf-parking/

Where to Meet in San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf? For visitors from outside San Francisco, we will specify a hotel or meeting point for pickup. Explore parking options; https://www.fishermanswharf.org/plan-your-visit/getting-around/parking/

What Else to See and Do in San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf? https://www.fishermanswharf.org/plan-your-visit/

Where to Park Near Alcatraz Ferry Landing Area and Pier 39 in San Francisco? Explore parking options here:

Important Information on Parking: Public parking in San Francisco, especially in downtown and Fisherman’s Wharf, may cost $25–$80 per day. Be cautious of car break-ins; avoid leaving valuables in your vehicle during the tour.

Getting Around San Francisco: San Francisco experiences heavy traffic, especially during rush hours (7 a.m to 11 a.m and 2 p.m to 8 p.m). Utilize public transit like Muni (buses, light rail, and cable cars) or BART (train) to meet our tour guide at convenient locations.

Wheelchair Accommodation Policy: Our vehicles do not accommodate full-size wheelchairs due to safety concerns and the nature of our action-packed tour. We encourage wheelchair users to explore specialized paratransit options available through SFMTA and Accessibility All.

-Small, light, and foldable wheelchairs may be accommodated, but please consider the tour's nature when deciding.

Modifications to Terms and Conditions: Alcatraz Tours reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions without prior notice. For any assistance or inquiries, please contact us . We appreciate your support.

• Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to Alcatraz Tours Inc.'s Privacy Policy. This policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information. By accessing or using our services, you agree to the terms outlined in this privacy policy.

Information We Collect

Personal information.

We may collect personal information, including but not limited to:

• Contact information (email address, phone number)
• Billing information
• Credit card details
• Transaction details
• Tour preferences
• And other information to honor your tour accordingly.

Automatically Collected Information

We may also collect information automatically when you visit our website, such as:

• Browser type
• Operating system
• Date and time of access

How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for various purposes, including:

• Processing and confirming tour reservations.
• Providing personalized tour experiences
• Sending booking confirmations and updates
• Processing payments
• Communicating important information about your tour
• Improving our website and services
• Complying with legal obligations

Data Security

We take appropriate measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Our website uses secure encryption (SSL) to transmit sensitive information.

Sharing Your Information

We may share your personal information with third parties only under specific circumstances:

• With service providers involved in tour operations (e.g., hotels, subcontractors, or sister companies, and transportation providers)
• With our payment processors to facilitate transactions
• With government authorities as required by law
• In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. We take your personal information and privacy very seriously. Our website is highly secure, and transactions are encrypted.

Retention of Information

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Your Choices

You have the right to:

• Access and update your personal information.
• Opt-out of marketing communications.
• Request the deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)

Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will take appropriate steps to remove such information.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and the revised date will be indicated.

If you have any questions or concerns about our privacy practices, please contact us.

Trip Reviews

Exploring Alcatraz : San Francisco's Riveting Historical Journey

"Beyond Bars: Alcatraz & SF Escapades"?

Redwoods, Houseboats & Alcatraz: Mary's Marvelous Adventure!

I Highly Recommend This Combination Alcatraz & City Tour

San Francisco Et Alcatraz - Un Forfait Touristique Sans Souci

Alcatraz prison tour was an unexpectedly fascinating experience!

"Vintage Vibes and Prison Surprises: A Californian Adventure!"

"Discovering Alcatraz's Intriguing Tale: Native American Legacy and the Great Escape"

"Alcatraz: ¡Aventura y Reflexiones Históricas!"

Una Experiencia de 5 Estrellas en San Francisco, Muir Woods y Alcatraz Tour

A Lovely Family Trip to Alcatraz from San Francisco

Immersive Adventures: A Memorable Day at Alcatraz and Beyond

Alcatraz Day Tour with Muir Woods—An Unforgettable San Francisco Adventure

Oops! We goofed up and missed our ferry to Alcatraz Island at 2:45 pm

"San Francisco’s Essential: A Wild Alcatraz Combo Adventure!"

Thrilling Alcatraz Island & San Francisco Expedition

Charged Up: Unveiling the City Buzz and Alcatraz Adventure!

Alcatraz Tales & Our Guide Were Very Enthusiastic and Accommodating

"Unforgettable Alcatraz Adventure & San Francisco Delight"

Nighttime Alcatraz Adventure and City Fun

Absolutely Delightful Experience at the Jelly Belly Factory & Alcatraz

A Great Way to Visit Two Iconic Places in One Day Trip

Alcatraz and Muir Woods: A Day of Unforgettable Adventures

Exploring Muir Woods Park and Alcatraz Island—A Mind-Blowing Adventure!

Muir Woods Magic & Alcatraz fun

Best San Francisco Alcatraz combo Tour!

“Amazing Alcatraz Island experience”

Unforgettable Alcatraz Adventure!

Alcatraz Tour with Our Kids - Excellent & Worth Every Penny

Our Night Tour Experience of the Rock “Alcatraz”

Wonderful night tour experience like a “fairy tale”

Alcatraz Exceeded Expectations!

San Francisco's Rainy-Day Adventure: Parks and Alcatraz Unveiled!

Valentine's Day Adventure in San Francisco and Alcatraz!

Unforgettable Adventures: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and Beyond!

Vintage Vibes and Island Adventures: A Dreamy Napa-Alcatraz Expedition!

“Mob of the Dead in real life at Alcatraz”

“Thrilling Journey Through Alcatraz: A Top-Notch Experience!"

"Behind Alcatraz Jail Bars: My Review of Alcatraz Prison Combo Tour"

"The Thrilling Audio Tour: Alcatraz Unveiled!"

"Unwinding in Sonoma's Vines & Unlocking Alcatraz's Mysteries"

Alcatraz Adventure, Muir Woods & Sausalito Stroll: A Day of Discovery

We made it to Alcatraz and escaped from the rock!

Alcatraz Prison Night Tour is Awesome

"Get Your Alcatraz Tickets Early!"

Unveiling Alcatraz Mystery

Excursión Tecnológica: Apple, Google en Silicon Valley y Alcatraz

Fun day outing in Muir Woods, Sausalito, and San Francisco

Muir Woods: Ein Muss für einen Tagesausflug von San Francisco

Great way to see Alcatraz & San Francisco !!

"Alcatraz After Dark: Unveiling Nighttime Mysteries!"

Alcatraz Tickets: Book Ahead for a Fantastic Experience in San Francisco

Alcatraz: A Must-See Gem Beyond Expectations

San Francisco Alcatraz Duo Adventure

Great, humbling Alcatraz Experience

Alcatraz : Pack those layers, folks! Fun, Fog and wind await

Big Redwoods & Horseback Adventure on The Beach !

I highly recommend this tour company when Alcatraz tickets are sold out

"Alcatraz Night Tour - Nope, no creepiness at all!"

Interesante Tour Combinado de Muir Woods y Alcatraz

Definitely A 5-Star: Alcatraz & Redwoods Experience

Geweldige baancruise rond Alcatraz Island

La Isla de Alcatraz es excepcional, pero reserva tus boletos con antelación

Alcatraz and San Francisco: The Ultimate Stress-Free Adventure

アルカトラズツアー：歴史と魅力の探求

"Experiencia increíble en tour combinado con Alcatraz"

Visite privée 5 étoiles de la ville avec Alcatraz.

Alcatraz tip: Získejte lístky včas!

Alcatraz is overrated but the City Tour was a Blast!

Alcatraz Tour: Unveiling Fascinating History!

Alcatraz & SF Combo: A Fun Experience!

Alcatraz Island Day trip with our 4-year-old son

Alcatraz and San Francisco - the best part of our vacation in California

Anochecer en Alcatraz: ¿ espectacular o simplemente oooh, muy espeluznante?

Muir Woods: A Must-Visit Day Trip from San Francisco

息をのむ景色と素晴らしいセコイアの木

Un'Avventura nei Redwood Indimenticabile - Una Gita in Famiglia da Ricordare

Nature's Sanctuary: Communing with the Timeless Giants

Urban escape: a hassle-free, worthwhile adventure.

很棒的穆尔森林公园半日游

Une excellente expérience ! Un excellent choix

Increíble Experiencia en la Excursión de Medio Día a Muir Woods con Buddy

Erstaunliche Halbtages-Muir-Woods-Tour-Erfahrung mit Mary

Disfrutando de la Naturaleza y de la Historia: Un Viaje a dos famosas Atracciones en San Francisco

거대한 나무와 작은 레드우드 솔잎!

Is Alcatraz Day or Night Tour Worth the Trip? How to Decide

Unforgettable Journey: Muir Woods and Alcatraz Day Trip Delight!

Thrilling Combo : Alcatraz and SF Unleashed!

Talk about a day packed with adventure- UC Berkeley and Alcatraz!

Emocionante aventura al centro de la Tecnología y Alcatraz: ¡ muy divertido para toda la Familia!

Alcatraz and Napa Day Out—What a Cool Adventure!

Maravillosa Aventura: Muir Woods y Alcatraz, ¡Increíbles!

Riding Waves on Horseback and Unveiling Alcatraz: A Day to Remember

Sweet Jelly Beans & Island Scenes: San Fran's Double Trouble Tour!

"An Epic San Francisco Adventure to Remember!"

Embarking on Alcatraz: A Dive into History's Depths

We Would Have Missed Out if we Hadn’t Gone

A Great Alcatraz Experience, Much Better Than I Expected

But oh, Alcatraz night tour—totally spine-tingling!

Histórias na Trilha: Aventura em Alcatraz e Muir Woods

Alcatraz Day Trip to Alcatraz is Really Fun and Worth the Effort!

Sonoma Valley Wine Country and Alcatraz—An Incredible Experience!

Sunrise of Hot Air Balloons and Redwood Adventure

Best insider guided tech tour of Silicon Valley in Spanish

A Fun Safari and Jelly Belly Factory Day Trip

Monterey And Carmel, Charming Seaside Gems

Excelente paquete de viaje familiar privado de 5 días a Lake Tahoe y Yosemite

Forfait sans souci avec les visites de Muir Woods et Alcatraz

Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea & 17-Mile Drive—Pure Coastal Delight!

Lake Tahoe's 2-Day Private Adventure: Nature-Packed Bliss!

A Memorable 2-Day Custom Tour to Yosemite—the Best Way to Go

Watch our latest fun and educational videos to learn more about this unique adventure.

Select date from the calendar, have a question, have a question , call : (415) 429-4947.

• Silicon Valley
• Horseback Rides
• Napa Valley

Epic Family-Friendly Adventures Unleashed!

Point Reyes Marvels: Nature, Wildlife, and Giant Redwoods Extravaganza!

Redwoods Unleashed: Marin County's Horseback Wilderness Adventure Bliss!

Tech Explorer: Ignite Innovation with Silicon Valley Discovery Tour Delight!

Bay Bliss Escape: City Tour & Cruise Adventure Spectacle Awaits You!

Marin Magic Nature Escape: Muir Woods, Mount Tamalpais, and more Await!

UC Berkeley & Alcatraz Expedition: Uncover History & Mysteries Adventure!

Epic Duo: Alcatraz Exploration & Napa Balloon Thrills Unleashed Adventure!

Napa Valley Private Wine Tour

Safari Delight: Wild Animals & Muir Woods Adventure - Perfect Duo!

• Seaplane Air-Tours
• Balloon Adventure

Customer Stories: Real Testimonials

Rave Reviews: Unfiltered Stories from Happy Explorers

Started with wine tasting at Viansa Winery—felt like Italy! Quick lunch at Sonoma's Basque Boulangerie, then the surprise of Alcatraz. Audio tour? Intense history! The gardens were oddly cool. Blend of wine, pastries, and Alcatraz? Unforgettable California vibes!

Alcatraz At Night? Totally Spooky! 🌙!

Our Night Tour of Alcatraz was both enjoyable and intriguing! The Spanish audio tour of Alcatraz prison was excellently executed, vividly narrating the story of the jail. While we skipped the day trip, the night tour was definitely a favorite. Unforgettable Experience.

We highly recommend Alcatraz and the city tour combo by Alcatraz Tours, Inc. A local agency secured our last-minute Alcatraz tickets despite full bookings. Their genuine recommendation made it a worthwhile experience. We will try Alcatraz night tour next time we travel to SF

San Francisco et Alcatraz - Un Forfait Touristique Sans Souci

Ce forfait touristique à San Francisco et Alcatraz était une trouvaille chanceuse : réservation aisée, journée à Alcatraz pratique et visite privée couvrant des lieux inédits, le tout valant chaque centime. Une expérience incontournable. Cheers à ces aventures sans souci !

Mary led an incredible adventure! Starting at Muir Woods, her insights amplified the majesty of redwoods. From Sausalito's houseboats to an afternoon at Alcatraz with Mom and sisters. The top-notch audio tour combined eerie tales with stunning island views. Highly recommend.

Alcatraz exploration: a riveting historical journey! Buddy's tours, from San Francisco to Muir Woods, were an absolute delight. The self-guided Alcatraz tour with exceptional audio was a highlight. Highly recommend this company for well-organized, excellent tours.

SF July 4th was a blast! Alcatraz lived up to the hype—Adam, our ninja guide, made it epic with hidden spots and electric vibes. Lunch in Japantown fueled our unforgettable visit, blending history with thrilling tales. The city & Alcatraz combo trip was the perfect fit!

“The Rock : Native Americans’ Legacy and the Great Escape"

Alcatraz goes beyond! Native American legacy and the Great Escape added depth. The self-guided tour immersed us, comfy shoes needed for exploration. Witnessing past remnants was fascinating. The escape saga was riveting. For history buffs & movie lovers, it's a must-visit!

Alcatraz fue una aventura emocionante en nuestra primera visita a San Francisco. El tour de audio en español fue informativo, y nos pusimos a reflexionar sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas en Alcatraz y sus hábitats perdidos. Alejandra y Gabriela – Salamanca

Una Experiencia 5 Estrellas en SF, Muir Woods y Alcatraz

Alcatraz Tours Inc.: ¡Operador en San Francisco de 5 estrellas! Nos encontraron entradas a última hora para Alcatraz y combinaron con Muir Woods. Excepcional servicio en español, guía privado ameno y recorrido excepcional por la ciudad. Lo Recomendamos totalmente 100%.

Alcatraz Island—a game-changer for our family in San Francisco! Ferry ride: skyline magic. Audio tour: storytelling gold, kids mesmerized by escape tales. Island exploration: lighthouse, gardens—a gripping storybook. Prison yard walk: surreal, epic views. Must-do for families!

Just had to share our Alcatraz day tour experience with my husband—it was a blast! Glad we booked this ahead of time; made things smooth. Our tour guide who chauffeured us around Muir Woods & Sausalito was a riot! Super fun& took care of us like a pro throughout.

• Redwood National Park
• Wine Country

Dreamscape 2-Day Getaways

Yosemite: Temple of Nature's Majesty

Redwoods: Envoys from Another Realm

Hearst Castle & Big Sur: Majestic Dreams

Lake Tahoe Oasis: Aqua Wonderland

Pick us for epic thrills.

• 🏆 Experience Excellence: Unwavering commitment to excellence in every journey.
• 🌐 Local Trust: Accredited and praised, your trusted local tour experts.
• 🔒 Exclusive Alcatraz Tours: Dive into the unique with combo tours, tickets included.
• 🚗 Beyond Boundaries: Explore off-limits places for a personalized experience.
• 👪 Family-Friendly Fun: À la carte private tours for all ages.
• 🤝 Seamless Service: Complimentary meet-and-greet and hassle-free drop-offs.
• 🚗 Luxury Rides, New Horizons: Style and adventure with luxury vehicles.
• 💎 Great Value, No Surprises: Quality products, great value, no hidden fees.
• 🎟️ All-Inclusive: Your journey includes taxes and entrance fees.
• 🎤 Local Passion: Multilingual guides, locals sharing vibrant stories.

Hotspot Hideaways

Shop & Sip in Style: Wine & Outlet Extravaganza

Surf & Turf: Seaside Trot & Alcatraz Island Quest

Coastal Wonderland: Monterey, Pebble, Carmel Delight

Wild Bliss Getaway: Safari, Redwoods & Alcatraz Adventure

• Outdoor Thrills

SOCIAL MEDIA

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Alcatraz Tours Inc