Visiting Alcatraz: Tickets, Ferry, What to Expect

Closure Dates and Changes

The National Park Service announced on September 28, 2026 that Alcatraz would close starting October 26, 2026 while crews replace the pilings that secure the ferry dock. Repairs are expected to be done by November 18, 2026, and the release says weather or other factors could change that. Our page on Alcatraz with young kids lists the same dates.

The release also says the island closed earlier in 2026 for related work: nine days in January and six days in April. Visitors with reservations on affected departures will be notified and can get a refund, reschedule, or book a San Francisco Bay Discovery Cruise on selected dates. Alcatraz City Cruises describes that cruise as one that does not dock on the island. The concessioner is paying for the repairs, per the NPS.

NPS Golden Gate: Alcatraz Island to temporarily close for dock repairs this fall

Tickets and Prices

There is no federal entrance fee. The price you pay is the ferry ticket, which the NPS says includes the ferry, the Cellhouse audio tour and the recreation fee. The NPS Fees & Passes page says tickets can be bought up to 90 days ahead through Alcatraz City Cruises.

The Behind the Scenes Tour includes the Night Tour and takes 4 to 5 hours in total, per the NPS. Ranger tours are free, and the audio tour is included in the ticket. The America the Beautiful passes do not apply to the ferry ticket.

NPS: Alcatraz Fees & Passes

Getting to the Ferry

Ferries depart from Pier 33. Alcatraz City Cruises says to arrive 45 minutes before departure, bring valid photo ID for every adult, and note there is no luggage storage at Pier 33. The NPS says there is no parking at Alcatraz Landing, points to fifteen commercial lots within five blocks, and says the Muni F line runs past the landing. For other ways around the city, see Muni, BART and cable cars.

Alcatraz City Cruises: Know Before You Go

NPS: Alcatraz Plan Your Visit

What to Expect on the Island

The NPS says to plan on a couple of hours on the island, and that ranger tours are offered daily though there is no set program schedule. There is no food on the island other than dry snacks and candy from the bookstore. Alcatraz City Cruises allows eating and drinking only at the dock; past the dock, only bottled water in non-glass bottles is allowed. Food is sold on the ferries.

The NPS describes the weather as unpredictable, recommends layers and a light jacket, and says to wear comfortable shoes with grip-type soles rather than sandals, high heels or open-toe shoes. Some areas close at certain times of year to protect nesting seabirds, though the NPS page does not say which. For background on the site, read the history of Alcatraz.

NPS: Alcatraz Basic Information

Accessibility

The NPS says Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 is fully accessible, with limited first-come accessible parking (show a placard). On the island, an accessible tram carries visitors with mobility impairments from the dock to the Cell House, a route of about a quarter mile with a 130-foot elevation change. Most island roads and paths are steep, and the Cell House has an elevator to the second story. The route from the Cell House to the Recreation Yard has about 45 stair steps.

Assistive listening devices can be requested at the Pier 33 ticket booth. The NPS lists an ASL version of the tour on a handheld device, an audio-described tour with tactile markers, and Braille transcripts on request.

NPS: Alcatraz Accessibility

What We Could Not Verify

• The length of the ferry ride. No official page we could open states it. The Bay Discovery Cruise is listed at 90 minutes, but it does not dock.
• Current ferry departure times. The NPS says the first departure is about 8:45am with sailings about every half hour, but that page was last updated April 27, 2021, so we have not used it as a schedule.
• Whether the Night Tour and other tours are running while the island is closed.
• The cancellation window for ordinary bookings. The seller’s ticket page shows refunds for cancellations at least 72 hours before departure, but the NPS release is the only source we used for closure refunds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alcatraz Open Right Now?

No. Alcatraz Island is scheduled to be closed from October 26, 2026, with repairs expected to finish by November 18, 2026, according to the National Park Service release dated September 28, 2026. Weather or other factors could move those dates. We checked on October 27, 2026.

How Much Do Alcatraz Tickets Cost?

The NPS Fees & Passes page lists the Day Tour at $47.95 for adults 18 and over, $45.15 for seniors 62 and over, $47.95 for ages 12 to 17 and $29.15 for ages 5 to 11. Children under 5 are $0. Check the ticket seller for today’s price.

Can I Use a National Parks Pass for the Ferry?

No. The NPS says the America the Beautiful passes do not apply to the ferry ticket, and passes and Fee Free Days do not cover ferries, parking or special tours.

Is There Parking at the Ferry Landing?

No. The NPS says there is no parking at Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33. It lists fifteen commercial lots within a five-block radius with more than 3,000 spaces, and recommends public transit.

Checked on 27 October 2026 against the National Park Service Alcatraz Island and Golden Gate National Recreation Area pages and the Alcatraz City Cruises ticket and planning pages. Prices, hours and closure dates change, so confirm with the NPS and the ticket seller before you go.

Related Reading

See the best views in San Francisco for places to see the island from shore, and day trips from San Francisco for other outings.

Sources

1. NPS Golden Gate: Alcatraz Island to temporarily close for dock repairs this fall (September 28, 2026)
2. NPS: Alcatraz Fees & Passes
3. NPS: Alcatraz Plan Your Visit
4. NPS: Alcatraz Basic Information
5. NPS: Alcatraz Operating Hours & Seasons
6. NPS: Alcatraz Accessibility
7. Alcatraz City Cruises: Tickets
8. Alcatraz City Cruises: Know Before You Go