The Official Alcatraz Prison Tour combined with the Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour offers a unique way to explore San Francisco’s iconic landmarks and its notorious penitentiary. Visitors can enjoy a ferry ride to Alcatraz Island, where an award-winning audio tour brings the prison’s history to life. Meanwhile, the open-top bus tour allows for a customizable experience with hop-on, hop-off access to major attractions, providing an immersive adventure for all travelers. With multilingual commentary, this combined tour promises an unforgettable experience that goes beyond the typical sightseeing.
Key Points

- Offers combined tour of Alcatraz Island and open-top bus tour of San Francisco, including iconic landmarks and Bay Bridge night tour.
- Provides hop-on, hop-off access to explore at one’s own pace, with multilingual audio commentary for an immersive experience.
- Includes Alcatraz Island entrance ticket, ferry rides, and award-winning audio tour available in multiple languages.
- Wheelchair and stroller accessible, with proximity to public transportation enhancing accessibility.
- Features mixed customer reviews, with some complaints about the early start of the night tour affecting the sunset experience.
Tour Overview

The Official Alcatraz Prison Tour combines an in-depth exploration of the infamous island penitentiary with an open-top bus tour to discover San Francisco’s iconic landmarks.
Guests embark on a ferry ride to Alcatraz, where they can enjoy the prison’s haunting history through an award-winning audio tour.
Guests embark on a ferry ride to Alcatraz, where they can enjoy the prison’s haunting history through an award-winning audio tour.
They’ll then hop on an open-top bus to admire the Golden Gate Bridge, waterfront piers, museums, and entertainment districts.
With the ability to disembark and reboard at any location, travelers can customize their experience.
The tour offers accessibility features and multilingual commentary for a well-rounded sightseeing adventure.
Love the evening vibe? Here are more after-sunset activities we've covered in San Francisco
Tour Features

This tour offers hop-on, hop-off bus tickets for both daytime and nighttime exploration.
Riders can disembark at any location and reboard when ready, allowing them to discover iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, waterfront piers, museums, and entertainment districts at their own pace.
The onboard audio commentary is available in nine languages, providing an informative and immersive experience.
The tour also includes the renowned Alcatraz Island audio tour and ferry rides to and from the island.
With accessibility features and confirmation within 48 hours, this tour caters to a wide range of travelers.
Inclusions

The tour includes an Alcatraz Island entrance ticket, as well as ferry rides to and from the island. Visitors will also receive an award-winning audio tour in multiple languages, allowing them to explore the prison’s history at their own pace. Plus, the tour includes a Bay Bridge and Treasure Island open-top bus night tour, providing a unique perspective of the city’s iconic landmarks.
| Inclusions | Details |
| — | — |
| Alcatraz Island Entrance Ticket | Grants access to the island and prison |
| Ferry Rides | Transportation to and from Alcatraz Island |
| Audio Tour | Award-winning, multilingual tour |
| Bus Night Tour | Explores Bay Bridge and Treasure Island |
| Availability | Confirmation within 48 hours, subject to availability |
Accessibility and Additional Information

Wheelchair users and those with strollers can comfortably access the tour, as it’s wheelchair and stroller accessible. Service animals are also allowed.
The tour’s proximity to public transportation makes it easily accessible by various modes of transport. Infants must sit on laps during the tour.
Most travelers can participate, though the tour operator reserves the right to deny participation to those they deem unfit.
Confirmation of the booking is subject to availability and typically provided within 48 hours. The tour is non-refundable, and no refunds are offered for cancellations.
Customer Feedback

Customers have offered mixed reviews for the Official Alcatraz Prison Tour, with an overall rating of 3.1 out of 7 reviews. None of the reviews awarded 5-star or 4-star ratings.
A notable complaint was that the night tour started too early, leading to disappointment regarding the sunset experience.
However, the tour still offers several positive features, including hop-on, hop-off bus tickets, accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers, and an award-winning audio tour in multiple languages.
- San Francisco Super Saver: Muir Woods & Wine Country W/ Optional Gourmet Lunch
- Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip From San Francisco
- San Francisco Love Tour
- Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour
- San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise
- Small-Group Wine Country Tour From San Francisco With Tastings
Exploring Alcatraz Island

Although Alcatraz Island has a notorious past as a former federal prison, visitors can now explore its rich history and captivating scenery on the Official Alcatraz Prison Tour.
The award-winning audio tour provides an immersive experience, guiding guests through the cell house, recreation yard, and other key sites. Travelers can wander the iconic cellblocks and imagine the lives of infamous inmates like Al Capone.
Beyond the prison, the island offers stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and city skyline.
With its multilingual audio commentary and accessibility features, the Alcatraz tour allows all travelers to discover this remarkable historic landmark.
Experiencing the Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour

Visitors who’ve explored the captivating history of Alcatraz Island can continue their San Francisco sightseeing on the open-top bus sunset tour.
The tour provides:
Hop-on, hop-off access, audio commentary in multiple languages, views of iconic sights, an evening ride over the Bay Bridge, and flexibility to disembark and reboard.
-
Hop-on, hop-off access to explore the city at one’s own pace
-
Audio commentary in multiple languages to learn about the landmarks
-
Views of iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, waterfront piers, and entertainment districts
-
An evening ride over the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island for a stunning sunset panorama
-
Flexibility to disembark and reboard the bus as desired
While some customers noted the tour started too early, the open-top bus offers a convenient way to experience San Francisco’s highlights.
Frequently Asked Questions

Are Audio Guides Available in Multiple Languages?
Yes, the tour provides award-winning audio guides in multiple languages, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the experience and learn at their own pace during the Alcatraz Island tour.
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks Onto Alcatraz Island?
Visitors are allowed to bring their own food and drinks onto Alcatraz Island. However, there are also dining options available on the island, including a cafe and vending machines. It’s best to check the park’s website for the latest policies.
Is Parking Available Near the Alcatraz Island Ferry Terminal?
Parking is available near the Alcatraz Island ferry terminal, but it’s limited. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation or ridesharing services to reach the terminal, as parking can be challenging and expensive in the area.
How Long Does the Alcatraz Island Tour Typically Take?
The Alcatraz Island tour typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. This includes the ferry ride to and from the island, as well as the self-guided audio tour of the former prison grounds and facilities.
Is the Open-Top Bus Tour Available in the Morning or Only at Night?
The open-top bus tour is available both in the morning and at night. Customers can choose between daytime or nighttime exploration, with the option to hop on and off at various landmarks throughout the city.
The Sum Up
The Alcatraz Prison Tour combined with the Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour offers a comprehensive exploration of San Francisco’s iconic landmarks and infamous prison. Visitors can enjoy the history of Alcatraz through an award-winning audio tour, while the open-top bus provides a customizable experience with hop-on, hop-off access to major attractions. This tour is a memorable and accessible way to discover the city’s rich history and landmarks.
More Wine Tours in San Francisco
- Amador County Wine Tasting Digital Passport
- From San Francisco: Napa & Sonoma Valley Full-Day Wine Tour
- Sonoma Wine Country and Sausalito Private SUV Excursion 7 hours ~
- Small Group: Ultimate Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour- San Francisco
- Russian River Weekend Wine Tasting & Gourmet Lunch
- 8hr Private Sonoma and Napa Wine Tour from San Francisco.XL SUV
More Tours in San Francisco
- San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Open-top Sightseeing Tour
- From LA: SF, Yosemite, Santa Barbara and Carmel 3-Day Tour
- SF: Guided Muir Woods Tour & Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (Save 15%)
- From San Francisco: Napa & Sonoma Valley Full-Day Wine Tour
- San Francisco: Holiday Lights and Sights Tour on a Tuk-Tuk
- From San Francisco: Guided Tour to Muir Woods
More Tour Reviews in San Francisco
- San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Open-top Sightseeing Tour
- American Bookbinders Museum: The Story of the Book
- From LA: SF, Yosemite, Santa Barbara and Carmel 3-Day Tour
- California: Oakland Airport Transfer from San Francisco
- California: Oakland Airport Transfer to San Francisco
- California: SFE Airport Transfer to San Francisco
Still browsing? Here are more San Francisco experiences we've covered recently
- The 14 Best Tours & Experiences In San Francisco
- Which San Francisco Wine Tours To Choose? Our Best 4 Picks
- San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Open-top Sightseeing Tour
- American Bookbinders Museum: The Story of the Book
- From LA: SF, Yosemite, Santa Barbara and Carmel 3-Day Tour
- California: Oakland Airport Transfer from San Francisco
- California: Oakland Airport Transfer to San Francisco
- California: SFE Airport Transfer to San Francisco
- SF: Guided Muir Woods Tour & Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (Save 15%)
- San Francisco: Explore at Your Own Pace All Day on E-Bike
- San Francisco: Empress Yacht July 4th Fireworks Party Cruise
- Amador County Wine Tasting Digital Passport
