Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour in San Francisco
San Francisco, United States

Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour

Outty Ranking 31 3.1 · 7 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $168

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September 2026

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From, per person$168
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Outty Ranking

31/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.1/5

Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour worth booking?

Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour is a 2-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $168 per person. It scores 31 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 3.1/5 rating across 7 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
31 / 100
Rating
3.1/5 (7)
Duration
2 hours
From
$168 per person

This tour package includes a visit to the famous Alcatraz prison site, as well as a Bay Bridge + Treasure Island Night Tour! One of the undeniable highlights of our San Francisco Bus Tour is the journey across the iconi

What you get

    About this experience

    This tour package includes a visit to the famous Alcatraz prison site, as well as a Bay Bridge + Treasure Island Night Tour! One of the undeniable highlights of our San Francisco Bus Tour is the journey across the iconic Bay Bridge, with top-deck views across the bay. With a stop at the Treasure Island, you'll be able to take some great pictures of San Francisco from across the bay! Hop on with us to discover the best of San Francisco. The Alcatraz tour journey includes round trip ferry to the historic Alcatraz Island and an audio tour of the prison cell. You will be able to stay on the island and explore on your own for as long as you'd like, and catch any returning ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf.

    What's included

    Included

    • Alcatraz Island Entrance Ticket
    • Ferry Rides To/From The Alcatraz Island
    • Award-winning Audio Tour in Multiple languages
    • Bay Bridge + Treasure Island Open Top Bus Night Tour

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    de, ko, cmn, ja, yue, en, it, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    San Francisco Tours & Activities

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour in San Francisco, photo 2Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour in San Francisco, photo 3Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour in San Francisco, photo 4Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour in San Francisco, photo 5Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour in San Francisco, photo 6Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour in San Francisco, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    3 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    7 verified traveler reviews for Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    2
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Agnes Q · July 2023

    Not worth the money i paid

    The bus tour is not worth the price. There’s two places that we can’t go coz there’s something going on so the driver said we have to cut the tour. I think i need a rain check for the next tour.

    via Tripadvisor

    jamesmR2404UK · July 2023

    Alcatraz is great but give the open top bus tour a miss!

    Visiting Alcatraz is well worth it. The ferry is well organized and you get some lovely views of the bay. Alcatraz is very interesting and we enjoyed the audio tour. The island itself is very nice with a lot of nice views and photo opportunities. The open top bus tour is not worth it. It was not time well spent and it takes around 2hrs, much longer than the advertised time.

    via Tripadvisor

    julielD2457KI · June 2023

    Alcatraz tour

    The boat ride was great. The audio tour was very informative and easy to follow. We had a wonderful time touring and taking pictures

    via Tripadvisor

    BostonOM · January 2023

    Nice easy way to see SF quickly

    I loved the Hop on/off option. I did a full loop on my first one and only got off at Golden Gate Bridge for that loop. Then based I wanted to do, I got off at various stop. Using this bus to stop at the museums is not good use of the day pass. The evening tour was pretty cool with an opportunity to get a beautiful picture of SF from Treasure island across the bay, plus to get closer to some places not seen on the day tour such as the Nob Hill, Fairmont Hotel etc…Bring a jacket though as it gets chilly. The staff were very nice and tour recording was very informative . Good app too to use off the bus .

    via Tripadvisor

    Patricia P · July 2022

    Very Disappointing!

    We did get to see a lot of San Francisco but the communication between drivers and customers about what to expect and rules of riding the bus made this painful. Driver was yelling at people to sit down on top and not telling people how to use earphones or even take earphones so you could hear the narration, made this an afternoon I want to forget. Add to that , the bus will only hold so many people but he let more than the limit board and then had to tell them to get off! I didn't even bother to come back for the night tour which I was looking forward too but I just couldn't take anymore

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 31

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)41
    Review evidence (18% weight)27
    Booking momentum (14% weight)17
    Value for money (12% weight)19
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)3
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.

    How much does Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $168 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Francisco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Francisco is not rushed.

    Is Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 31 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.1/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable nightlife in San Francisco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour?

    +

    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour?

    +

    Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Francisco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Francisco and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Official Alcatraz Prison Tour + Open-Top Bus Sunset Tour start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Francisco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in San Francisco?

    +

    San Francisco packs Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Napa and the bay into day-trip range, which makes booking order matter more than anywhere else in the US. Alcatraz sells out weeks ahead, wine-country vans fill on weekends, and the best food walks in the Mission and Chinatown cap at a dozen people. Our ranking favours small groups and guides who live in the neighbourhood they walk. On Outty we rank every San Francisco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz, Chinatown, North Beach, Little Italy: 7 Tastings & History. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit San Francisco?

    +

    September and October, the city's real summer, once the fog season breaks. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in San Francisco?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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