Visit Alcatraz - Tips To Prepare For Your Trip

Learn some top tips to prepare you to visit Alcatraz. Find out about the ferry ride, what to expect from the Alcatraz prison tours and other useful tips for visiting Alcatraz.

So, you have your tickets in hand (or they are waiting at will call), what's next? This section is an overview of what to expect during your trip to Alcatraz.

How to Get to the Alcatraz Ferry

Let's start with the basics. Where is the Alcatraz ferry located and how do I get there?

The Alcatraz ferry is currently operated by a company called Alcatraz Cruises. They operate all of their ferries out of Pier 33. This is a change from previous years, when the ferry to Alcatraz left from Pier 42.

Pier 33 is located on Embarcadero Street near Pier 39 San Francisco and Fisherman's Wharf. The odd numbered piers are north of Pier 1 (now called the Ferry Building). The even numbered piers are south of Pier 1.

One option to get to Pier 33 is to take the F trolley car line from Union Square. This trolley runs about every 15 minutes up and down Market Street.

The cost is only $2 and you'll get off right in front of Pier 33. You'll see the Pier numbers from the windows, hop off when you see Pier 33 or another odd numbered pier that is close to that.

You can also take a cab. You can pick up a cab anywhere in the city.

The cost starts at just over $3 and usually costs between $10 and $15 depending on your pick up location.

Driving is another option. However, there is no parking right at Pier 33 so you'll have to find a lot and walk over to Pier 33 for your ferry to visit Alcatraz. There are several lots within just a few blocks of Pier 33.

One is located just across the street on the Embarcadero at Bay Street. If that one is full, there is another one at 80 Francisco Street, the cross street is Kearny Street. This is a larger parking garage and is just a couple of blocks away.

Visit Alcatraz: Ferry Ride Tips

Okay, you found Pier 33. Now it's time to prepare for the ferry ride to Alcatraz. Well, you'll actually want to prepare before you arrive. First, make sure you wear layers of clothing.

You'll find it nice and warm while in San Francisco and then it will get chilly on the ferry ride over to visit Alcatraz. Bring along a warm jacket or sweater for the ride.

I recommend that you sit on the top level of the ferry. The great thing is you can get some get pictures along the way.

Howerver, it's also usually really chilly. For more details on the weather by month in San Francisco, visit the San Francisco Weather page. It will give you some additional information on the weather and some clothing tips for your trip depending on the month you visit.

The time on your ticket is the time the ferry leaves the Pier, so make sure you arrive no later than 20 to 25 minutes before the ferry departs. People are usually lined up for the ferry to visit Alcatraz.

As long as you have a ticket in hand, you are guaranteed a spot to get on that ferry. The ferry ride lasts about 20 minutes or so.

You can get up and walk around. Take some pictures and enjoy the scenery from the top deck.

What to Expect from the Day Tour

When you arrive to visit Alcatraz, your entire ferry will get off at the one and only stop on Alcatraz Island.

You will receive a short briefing as a group and then head up the hill to the main building to visit Alcatraz. Again, some people run up the hill to get in line first.

It's not a race to the top, so take your time as you walk up the hill. This first hill is pretty steep. Don't hesitate to stop along the way, take some photos and look around at the buildings you see during your walk.

There is also a small shuttle that takes a handful of people to the top of the hill. It's a first come first served shuttle and designed for those that can't make it up the hill easily on their own.

You can call 415-561-4900 to get a schedule for the shuttle the day of your visit. Once you arrive, ask the ranger the location to pick up the shuttle.

Self Guided Audio Tour

When you get to the top of the hill, you'll take a steep set of stairs into the main Alcatraz prison building. You'll receive an audio player for your self guided tour of Alcatraz. The audio is really well done and it's always one of my favorite parts.

You'll walk along as the audio guides you through the prison cells. It also gives you the history of Alcatraz and the information on some of its most infamous prisoners including more on the biography of Al Capone, Robert Stroud, the Birdman of Alcatraz and many other infamous prisoners of Alcatraz.You'll also learn about the escapes from Alcatraz.

If you decide you don't want to do the self guided audio tour, you can ask for a refund at this point in your tour. The audio tour takes around an hour. It is fun to learn about the different aspects of prisoner life and it's a great way to learn more about the prison.

It also includes some audio from ex-prisoners, which is another one of my favorite parts of the audio tour. At the end of the tour, you'll turn in your audio player. At this point, you are on your own to explore Alcatraz.

Other Guided Tours

In the area where you drop off your audio player, you'll see a board with that day's guided tours while you visit Alcatraz. These are fun and provide additional history of Alcatraz. They all last around 45 minutes and you don't need to sign up to join in.

Walking Around Alcatraz Island

If you decide to skip the guided tours when you visit Alcatraz, you are free to roam around the island until the last ferry of the day departs. The last ferry usually leaves around 6pm (check to confirm as this changes slightly throughout the year).

I recommend that you visit the gardens, which are beautiful. Some of the plants and flowers have been growing for years. Recently, they increased their efforts to care for the plants and flowers in the garden, so it's a great stop. Since the garden has been there for so long, it also has its own history.

I also recommend that you head out to the old prisoner yard. You can ask how to get to it, since it's through an old door that you may not notice (or realize you can open).

It's a great place to take some photos of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's also a pretty cool part of the island to see.

The gift shop on Alcatraz is located in the south end of the main prison building. In the gift shop, you can buy historical books and other items. Everything in the store is related to Alcatraz or the surrounding San Francisco area.

Ferry Back to San Francisco

Most people spend about 2.5 to 3 hours when they visit Alcatraz, so plan for at least that amount of time. Once you are done wandering, you can catch any ferry back to San Francisco.

You don't have to sign up, you just jump in line and get on the next ferry back. As I mentioned before, the last one leaves around 6pm (again, check to confirm the time the day you are there).

You can walk around as long as you like, just make sure you are on that last ferry back to San Francisco. You don't want to have to spend the night!

When you visit Alcatraz, you'll get a great feel for what it was like to be a prisoner in this infamous prison. It's a great way to learn more about the history of Alcatraz.

It's also a great way to take some beautiful photos of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline. If you still need to book your trip to Alcatraz, visit the Alcatraz Prison Tours page to learn about the two different options. It also includes information on pricing and some booking tips.