San Francisco City and Alcatraz Island Tour 6.5 hr - Image 1
San Francisco City and Alcatraz Island Tour 6.5 hr - Image 2
San Francisco City and Alcatraz Island Tour 6.5 hr - Image 3
San Francisco City and Alcatraz Island Tour 6.5 hr - Image 4
San Francisco City and Alcatraz Island Tour 6.5 hr - Image 5
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San Francisco City and Alcatraz Island Tour 6.5 hr

TourTruth score 3.1 out of 10

Below average

2,440 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • San Francisco
  • 6 hrs 30 min
  • Updated November 4, 2026

See San Francisco’s landmarks on a guided bus tour, then ferry to Alcatraz Island for a self-paced Cellhouse audio tour.

About this tour

See San Francisco from its landmark-lined streets, then cross the bay to Alcatraz Island on a combined city and island tour. This 390-minute experience pairs a guided bus ride with a ferry journey and a self-paced visit to the former prison.

Your San Francisco City and Alcatraz Island Tour begins with a local guide and photo stops at the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Twin Peaks, Land’s End and Ocean Beach, and Mission San Francisco de Asis. After the city tour, transportation takes you to Pier 33 for the ferry to Alcatraz. Explore the Cellhouse with its audio tour, and spend as much time on the island as you like. The Alcatraz visit usually takes about 2.5 hours, and ferries back depart every 30 minutes.

With city highlights, scenic views, and an included Alcatraz admission ticket, San Francisco City and Alcatraz Island Tour makes it easy to experience two signature sides of the city in one outing. Reserve your place and get ready to explore.

Highlights

  • Admire the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks, and Palace of Fine Arts
  • Pause for photos at Land’s End, Ocean Beach, and the Mission District
  • Ride the ferry to Alcatraz Island
  • Explore the Cellhouse with an audio tour

What's included

Included

  • Guided San Francisco bus tour with a local expert
  • Transportation to Pier 33 after the city tour
  • Official Alcatraz admission ticket and ferry ride
  • Alcatraz Cellhouse audio tour
  • Photo stops

Not included

  • Hotel pickup or drop-off
  • Bus transportation after the Alcatraz tour
  • Services not specified

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Important information

  • Arrive by 8:45 AM for check-in; the bus departs at 9:00 AM from 2805 Leavenworth St.
  • Provide the first and last names and ages of all passengers to confirm the reservation.
  • Alcatraz reservations are finalized 5 days before departure; changes and refunds are not allowed after that point.
  • Alcatraz tickets are refundable with at least 5 days’ notice before departure.
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  • The Alcatraz visit usually takes 2.5 hours, including an approximately 45-minute audio tour; time on the island is unrestricted.
  • Ferries depart Alcatraz every 30 minutes; make your own way back after the island visit.
  • Infants and small children may ride in a stroller; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.
  • Service animals are allowed; the tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the tour last?

The tour is listed as 390 minutes. The Alcatraz visit usually takes about 2.5 hours.

Where does the tour depart?

Check in by 8:45 AM at 2805 Leavenworth St. The bus departs at 9:00 AM.

What is included with Alcatraz admission?

Admission includes the ferry ride and the Cellhouse audio tour.

Can I change or cancel my reservation?

Alcatraz reservations are finalized 5 days before departure. Changes and refunds are not allowed after that point; tickets are refundable with at least 5 days’ notice.

How do I return after visiting Alcatraz?

Ferries depart every 30 minutes, and you can leave the island at your own pace. Bus transportation after Alcatraz is not included.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.21 on Viator and 4.12 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

How the score works and rating distribution in San Francisco
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 3.1.

Provider rating distribution in San Francisco

How many tours in San Francisco have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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