Alcatraz vs Golden Gate Bridge: which should you do first?

If you only have time for one, do Golden Gate Bridge first. Its top ten experiences average an Outty Ranking of 90 against 77 for Alcatraz, and it has 296 ranked ways to see it versus 97. With a full day in San Francisco, pair them: plan Golden Gate Bridge in the morning, as it is the shorter visit on average.

Alcatraz in San Francisco, United States

Alcatraz

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, United States

Golden Gate Bridge

Side by side

Alcatraz compared with Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
AlcatrazGolden Gate Bridge
Ranked experiences97296
Top Outty Ranking9494
Average ranking (top 10)7790
Cheapest experience$39$37
Average time needed8.8h5.2h
Free cancellation75% of options100% of options
Free to visitNoNo

Best ways to see Alcatraz

  1. 1. Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz

    Outty Ranking 94 · from $119 · 6h

  2. 2. San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour

    Outty Ranking 91 · from $109 · 9h

  3. 3. San Francisco Small Group City Highlights and Alcatraz Tour

    Outty Ranking 83 · from $196 · 7h

  4. 4. Prison Break Alcatraz Escape Room in Fisherman's Wharf

    Outty Ranking 82 · from $46 · 1.3h

  5. 5. Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour

    Outty Ranking 71 · from $159 · 7h

All 97 Alcatraz experiences

Best ways to see Golden Gate Bridge

  1. 1. Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz

    Outty Ranking 94 · from $119 · 6h

  2. 2. San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour

    Outty Ranking 91 · from $109 · 9h

  3. 3. Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

    Outty Ranking 90 · from $82 · 2h

  4. 4. San Francisco Movie Sights City Tour

    Outty Ranking 90 · from $67 · 3h

  5. 5. Vantigo - The Original San Francisco VW Bus Tour

    Outty Ranking 90 · from $103 · 3h

All 296 Golden Gate Bridge experiences

Frequently asked questions

Alcatraz or Golden Gate Bridge: which is better?

If you only have time for one, do Golden Gate Bridge first. Its top ten experiences average an Outty Ranking of 90 against 77 for Alcatraz, and it has 296 ranked ways to see it versus 97. With a full day in San Francisco, pair them: plan Golden Gate Bridge in the morning, as it is the shorter visit on average.

Which is cheaper, Alcatraz or Golden Gate Bridge?

Ranked experiences at Alcatraz start from $39 and at Golden Gate Bridge from $37 per person.

How long do you need at Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge?

Experiences at Alcatraz run 8.8 hours on average and at Golden Gate Bridge 5.2 hours, so both fit in one day in San Francisco with a break in between.

Can you do Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge on the same day?

Yes. Book the longer visit for the morning when crowds are lighter, and keep the afternoon for the other. 75% of Alcatraz options and 100% of Golden Gate Bridge options offer free cancellation, which makes it easy to adjust.

What is the best tour of each?

For Alcatraz: Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz (Outty Ranking 94, from $119). For Golden Gate Bridge: Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz (Outty Ranking 94, from $119).

More San Francisco matchups

Best things to do in San FranciscoSan Francisco city guideSan Francisco tours comparedHow the Outty Ranking works