Alcatraz Day Tour + 1 Day Hop-On/Hop-Off Classic Big Bus
Alcatraz Only Sold as Part of a Combination Package
Only One Type Of Tour Package May Be Made Per Purchase
Alcatraz Day Tour + 1 Day Hop-On/Hop-Off Classic Big Bus
Duration:
- Alcatraz - Plan for 3 hours (if time/schedule permits, you may choose a later return boat)
- Primary Big Bus Red Line Loop = ~2.5 hours (Any day you choose)
- Bonus Chinatown Walking Tour Options = ~1 hour (Any day within 7 days of the Bus Tour)
Enjoy the city from the special view of an open-top bus, learning about both past and present. You can hop off the Big Bus tour at multiple stops, all set at great attractions and neighborhoods. You control your stay at any stop. Then hop back on board another bus and continue your trip.
Walking Tour is optional.
As of May 15, 2021, masks are required on Big Bus Tours. Other COVID protocols include regular sanitization, temperature checks and masks for staff, single use headphones, and social distancing.
No Hotel Pickup.
No reservations needed for Big Bus tour. Activate and take it any day before or after Alcatraz. See details on tabs.
DAYTIME ROUND TRIP ALCATRAZ CITY CRUISES FERRY TO ALCATRAZ ISLAND INCLUDING CELLHOUSE AUDIO TOUR
Official Tour and Travel Partner
NOT SOLD SEPARATELY • SOLD ONLY AS PART OF A TOUR PACKAGE
VALUE: $41.00 Adults & Juniors (12+), $38.65 Seniors (62+), $25.00 Kids (5-11), Free for Ages 0-4
Please arrive 30 minutes early. No Hotel Pickup. Your tour begins with a 10-15 minute boat trip from Pier 33. Expect your stay on Alcatraz Island to be about 3 Hours round trip). Boats return from the island at 12:20, 1:25, 2:25, 3:25, 4:25, or 5:40. You control the clock, but 3 hours is very likely. You may have to wait to enter the prison due to COVID-19 restrictions on indoor capacity.
Masks are required on the Alcatraz Tour. Click here for further "Safecruise" details.
Discover America’s most infamous prison, with a chance to go inside the cells and feel the cold and dark life firsthand. Alcatraz operated as a federal penitentiary from 1933 to 1963, housing notorious criminals including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and Creepy Karpis. During the award-winning 45-minute cell house audio headset tour you will learn of escape attempts, riots, bizarre characters, and much more. Displays include prison life, guard controls, and how Frank Morris and 2 others made their infamous “Escape From Alcatraz.”
Alcatraz is continually one of the most popular tours in the country
- Video History Presentation – No Charge
- Audio Tour includes sound effects, interviews with prisoners and guards, and historic details
- The Cellhouse Audio Tour is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
- Bookstore with information in many languages
- Visit the prison Recreation Yard, talk with Park Rangers, and walk the Perimeter Trail(note that parts of Alcatraz Island may be closed to the general public periodically – for repairs, wildlife protection, or other concerns)
- Unlimited photo opportunities and great views looking back at the City or out to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Big Bus’ primary red line loop tour goes over the Golden Gate Bridge and stops at the north end Vista Point for terrific views. Other key stops are located at or near: The Haight/Ashbury district, Victorian homes, Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square, Financial District, Golden Gate Park, City Hall, the Palace of Fine Arts, Lombard Street, and more.
- See Map Here
- Due to COVID-19, as of May 2021, Live Guides are not on the buses.
- Recorded commentary in 10 languages is always available. English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Cantonese or Mandarin Chinese.
- Disposable headphones are included.
- Trade in your voucher from DiscoverTown Tours for a time-stamped ticket from Big Bus. This can be done with the driver at any stop or with the agents at Union Square on the NE corner of Geary and Powell or at the Big Bus Visitor Center at Stop #1, Pier 41 at Fisherman’s Wharf. Your ticket is activated when you first get on any bus. It will last the rest of that day.
- NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED. Buses run 10am – 5pm daily. Buses run every 30 minutes for summer 2021 - until further notice. The complete tour lasts approximately 2.25 hours; however you can start and finish the tour at any of the hop-on, hop-off bus stops.
- Mobile App with live bus arrival times
- Open top buses can be chilly! A backpack with extra layers is recommended. Including a skull cap!
- For extra tips to make the most of your trip, go here.
Available as a bonus with all Alcatraz Combos...
and with Big Bus 1 Day Classic Hop-On/Hop-Off or Big Bus 2 Day Deluxe Hop-On/Hop-Off.
Compare Chinatown at $45 and up.
No reservations needed. Just present your Voucher (as a print-out or on your phone).
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~ 1-Hour Chinatown Walking Tour:
Built up around what was the original town square of the village of Yerba Buena that was later renamed San Francisco, Chinatown is a delight for history lovers and contemporary fans of the colorful and the unique.
See the crowded and bustling open-air meat and produce markets of Stockton Street; visit side alleyways that will take you back in time; and discover lions, dragons, pagoda roofs, and dangling lantern along Grant Street.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Some uphill walking is involved. Tour departs from the Southeast corner of Union Square, at Geary and Powell Streets.
Daily @ 1:00pm -- through at least September 6, 2021