Alcatraz Early Morning Access Tour with Lunch Credit

San Francisco, USA

1 day (approx.)
Offered in: English

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Overview

Set out for Alcatraz Island in the morning, before the crowds arrive, on this early-access tour. Ride the ferry from Pier 33 and then embark on the award-winning audio tour that tells the tales from inside the prison. After returning to the wharf, use your included credit to purchase lunch at select food vendors.

Early tour to beat the crowds
Alcatraz audio tour included
Ferry between Pier 33 and Alcatraz Island
Lunch credit to select Fisherman's Wharf food vendors

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

With bike pickup near the Alcatraz ferry, this is a convenient combo for independent explorers.

What's Included

Official Alcatraz ticket, including ferry ride to the island (Value $45.25)
Go inside Alcatraz Island Cellhouse Access with Audio Tour
08:50am-12:00pm Departure Time Frames (randomly assigned)
$15 Per Person Food Credit Selected Wharf Vendor (expires same day)

Transportation from hotels/piers to any activity
Guest pays excess food bill/taxes/gratuities
Food voucher expires on the same day as Alcatraz date. No further credits or uses.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

San Francisco Pier 33 - Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA, USA
ALL GUESTS MUST RECHECK THEIR VIATOR EMAIL ON FILE 1-2 DAYS PRIOR TO LOCATE THEIR ALCATRAZ DEPARTURE TIME. Guests who do not have their time the night before can email "" for their vouchers. DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO PIER 33 If you do not know your time the day before!

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Arranged start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

02/07/2025 - 04/11/2027
Friday - Sunday : 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Itinerary

Alcatraz Island

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
VIATOR VOUCHER IS NOT YOUR ALCATRAZ ISLAND ADMISSION TICKETS!
Stroller accessible
Time of Alcatraz tour will be sent by ADDITIONAL VIATOR EMAIL 1-2 days prior
Service animals allowed
Do not go to Alcatraz Pier 33 unless you know your time from us in advance!

Food voucher is a one time same day must use or lose credit. Vendor Located in Fisherman's Wharf (not at Alcatraz).
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

3.8

based on 52 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Where is that restaurant?

Mary_C, Sep 2024

Alcatraz was well organized and I thoroughly enjoyed the ferry, the organization and how easy it was to get to and return from the Island. I had bundled this with $15 voucher at a restaurant but did not know it HAD to be PRINTED. Csr Service took care of that the day before. When I returned from Alcatraz and looked at the voucher, I had no idea where that Bistro Boudin was. Yes there was an address but I just gave up. Some direction would have hel[ed.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Everyone has a phone with Google. Enter the address into your phone and hit "start". You will find it.

Avoid this tour...

Tracy_W, Sep 2024

It was sold as early entry beat the crowds and it wasn't. The $15 for lunch didn't even cover anything and it was a very long walk, it is sold as right in the same area. You could do the same thing for pennies. This tour is a waste of your money.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Another customer upset that the tour was sold out and they got on the island when dozens were turned away. Be lucky you even got tickets from anyone in the month of July! Next time; plan. oh....by the way..the walk between pier 33 and 39 is five minute walk. Stop being dramatic in order to trash talk this package.

Charged 4 times the prices purchasing onlinen versus just buying onsite

William_B, Aug 2024

Getting the tickets online was quite troublesome. For some reason they could not print the tickets at the kiosk using my booking number. Then I found out that I was charged four (4) times the amount of the ticket online. In other words, the tickets were 4 times cheaper and easier to access if I just walked up and paid on the spot versus paying ahead of time online. I was informed that the resellers significantly inflate the price to make a profit. This is too bad.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Welcome to summer! High Demand higher prices. We have rent, labor, taxes, government taxes, local taxes, city fees, insurance, and commission that all wraps up into the price we charge. You could not have walked up..it was sold out. You needed us. We were there for you. Add that value to your ticket price.

Nice trip with the prison, shame with the lunch

Giorgio_R, Aug 2024

Very good with the reservation and the tickets for Alcatraz. Shame for the lunch within the bundle. It’s a 30$ voucher you can spend just in one place, and with 30$ you can barely order one plate. We had to discuss with the owner because I ate alone and they didn’t want to let me use the voucher.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Boudin is a highly respected restaurant in San Francisco since 1849. $15 a plate is a significant discount. Next time choose our frugal package IHOP instead and spare a review like this. Everyone loves pancakes! We talked to the managers there and not one manager could validate your complaint. They honor all vouchers we distribute.

Cell House audio tour rocks!!

Lynn_H, Jul 2024

Taking the Cell house audio tour brought the experience to life. It allowed me to better understand the daily life at Alcatraz and just how bleak things really were.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Best day ever!

A must see experience

Sheri_M, Jun 2024

I would recommend this visit solely for the experience and history of it. The only thing keeping me from selecting 5 stars was the price was a little high for what was received. Other than that it checked the boxes of what I wanted to experience.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Value in having tickets vs not having tickets is worth all the money in the world! Factor that in the decision!

A rip off

tinaf1008, Jun 2024

In May, this tour is totally unnecessary as you can walk up to the ticket desk and purchase tickets without a problem. No special assistance at pier, no pickup or transfer service from/to hotel, the 30.00 lunch voucher was only usable in the Boudin upstairs restaurant, which is very expensive and cost us alot more than 30.00 for 2 meals, rather than being able to use it in their downstairs bakery/take out area. Requested partial refund from the tour operator, who sent dozens of very confusing confirming emails and had to spend an hour on the phone with customer service to finally get the QR code text vouchers and the lunch credit coupon. Restaurant manager and waiter had never seen this voucher before.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

No. Actually you cant "walk up in May"!! People like you with bad advice cause others to think they can walk up on weekends and holidays. It sells out weeks in advance sometimes! If you had done so you would have been upset at the gate. Alcatraz is sold out Memorial Day weekend and you had the ease to join our group reservations to guarantee your admission. Did you know we turned down others just so we could help you? Then you complain that we helped you? You want to chance not getting in? Walk up. Want to make sure you get in? Book with Viator. As for your bogus claim the manager had never seen the food voucher before rest assured they bill us every month for the voucher we give to you. Need us to show you the bill? Email us. $15 at Boudin Bistro is enough for a decent lunch credit.

Enjoyed it very much

Darice_B, Apr 2024

Ferry ride was nice. Tour staff were very knowledgeable and helpful. Audio tour was great. Very satisfied with the Alcatraz tour. I will highly recommend it.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We are happy that you are happy!

Great trip.

ANDREW_W, Sep 2023

Great experience , tour staff very professional and helpful.Alcatraz was well organised and the cell tour was brilliant.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

We are here to make our guests happy any time they need us!

Simply amazing

harvey_s, Sep 2023

Very atmospheric and exceeded expectations. The ferry trip across was efficient and fast. After seeing films it was awesome to experience, this so immersive and will never forget this experience

Response from Host, Sep 2023

We loved having you join us!

Do your homework...don't book

Elizabeth_B, Sep 2023

Alcatraz was amazing, as well as the lunch at Boudin. However, don't book through this company!! It's not a tour at all. It's tickets and a $15 lunch credit. You're paying double! Go through Alcatraz website yourself. Don't book this tour!!

Alcatraz good. Lunch credit inadequate

Renee_D, Sep 2023

Great tour Lunch credit was not nearly enough It was an expensive restaurant & there was no way $15/ea could purchase much of anything

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Welcome to San Francisco where every lunch is more than $15! Alcatraz is worth the cost alone!

Disappointing overall purchase

Stephanie_G, Jul 2023

Alcatraz was very interesting,sad and educational. I paid $138 for each person. but I was very disappointed. I paid that price to get a a meal after our Alcatraz visit and was unable to use it because they did not take it at the Boudin café. It was only for the expensive Boudin restaurant and it was a two hour wait, which was not reasonable at all, I will not be giving your company a good review I feel I was overcharged and taken advantage of just to be able to go to Alcatraz. I should’ve not been charged that extra 60:00 for the meal voucher when we weren’t even able to use it. I am a very disappointed, customer and consumer, and don’t believe I would ever use your company again.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

So with one click you got access to Alcatraz when it was sold out for weeks? So lucky! Have a nice day!

Great Alcatraz Tour

Catherson_P, Nov 2022

Had a great day at Alcatraz. It was a very interesting tour, followed by a delicious lunch. I would definitely recommend

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Delicious lunch at a delicious price is what we say! Thank you for joining us!

Excellent experience

Tracy_B, Oct 2022

We really enjoyed the audio guided tour of Alcatraz. The ferry ride was on time, and went smoothly. The views from the ferry were awesome.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you for choosing us to make the day special for you!

great tour

Cindy_C, Oct 2022

excellent and informative tour. Excellent audio tour. Great vantage point for the parade of ships. Nice boat ride

Response from Host, Oct 2022

We loved having you join us!

Trip portion was great, food credit not so much

Junne_W, Oct 2022

The trip experience ( getting to the island and sightseeing part ) was great. The only part that was mildly disappointing was the food credit. I wish the credit could have been used at Boudins bakery instead of the more upscale Bistro. The Bistro had only a few items that would have covered the 15.00 pp meal ( small soup was 13.95, side salad was 12.95 ) pretty much everything else was very $$$. I ended up paying 54.00 after the discount for 3 people + an 18.00 tip. Total out of pocket was 71.51.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Boudin is one of the best restaurants in this city and one of the most popular!

A lot of fun for the whole group

Bethany_W, Sep 2022

I really loved the restaurant selected for us, it was a unique experience and they had amazing food. Alcatraz was a birthday gift for a child and they loved the island. I wish I would have known about the flies so I could have put on more clothing to protect myself.

Response from Host, Sep 2022

This restaurant is one of the most delicious and well known in the Wharf. We are glad you enjoyed it!!

Avoid this. Buy tickets online

Daniel_B, Aug 2022

We paied a lot for nothing. The 15 USD voucher for food is nothing at the restaurant located far from Pier 33. We had to wait 45 mins for a table. Minimum fee for a decent meal is 50. The rest of the trip: a 15 min trip by boat and a tour on the island by ourselfs. Decent price would have been 25 % maximum

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Lunch was not on the island! We clearly state that in the ad. Alcatraz does not have a restaurant on the island. The restaurant we chose for you in located 7 minutes from Pier 33 and was a small walk. The average check at Boudin Bistro is $15-$25 and is lower than most Fisherman's Wharf restaurants who charge much more! If food was your focus maybe you should have bought another tour. Supply and demand dictates prices. Those who wait until last minute pay the highest prices and that is not a surprise. Book early and save!

Viator Fell Short

Aaron_M, Jul 2022

The actual Alcatraz tour was great, but Viator never sent us our tickets, so we needed to have the booth search for our booking number and print the tickets. We also never received the voucher for lunch, which was part of the package we paid for. Viator is not giving us any type of refund.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

We sent your Alcatraz tickets and food voucher two days prior by email. The food voucher had the address listed on the voucher. Please call Viator to verify the time we sent your tickets.

Marahon Runner

Carey_T, Jul 2022

It was an AWESOME exoerience one of my favorite things we did visiting San Fransico! It was worth evey penny

Really interesting tour! Alcatraz is a must see!

Dana_L, Jul 2022

This was a really fun tour. I found it very interesting and enjoyed walking around the island and reading all of the informational boards. The cell tour was very interesting as well. I highly recommend it. My 18-year-old daughter loved it as well.

Talking to to the...

Linda_M, Jul 2022

Talking to to the gentleman about the birds on the island and him letting us see through the telescope the herrings. The audio tour was excited.

Fun time

Shirley_D, Jul 2022

Having tickets made the experience so much easier. The staff was very efficient and despite all the people, were able to manage the crowd and keep everything moving. the ferry ride was relaxing and ran frequently so you could return at your convenience. All the staff on the island were very knowledgeable and friendly. Lunch credit was at Boudin but not in the bakery. In the dining area. It was delicious but quite pricey as even with the $45 credit we had for 2 people, we still paid $65 plus a tip. Don't know if there was an option without the lunch credit but I think we could have done better on our own.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Shirley: Thank you for your review. Boudin average check is $20 per person so the $50 credit would have covered the standard meal. We appreciate you!

Wonderful trip to Alcatraz, followed by a nice lunch.

Amy_B, Apr 2022

Such a neat experience to visit Alcatraz. Then followed with a great lunch and a nice lunch credit provided. Company was very friendly and helpful when I had questions.

Response from Host, Apr 2022

We love our customers! Our goal is to provide the finest in family tour entertainment. We are here for our guests when they need us! We appreciate you!

A must to do

Hunter_H, Jan 2022

It is a must that you do this tour which has a lot history behind it, and you can learn a lot how the guards and the inmates interact with each other

Response from Host, Jan 2022

Yes!! Early bird gets the worm with a spectacular tour!! Thank you for your business!

Great experience.

Denis_R, Jan 2022

First Thank you for finding two tickets at the last minute, that was Awesome!!. My only suggestions are: 1 please make sure that upon purchase, your companies immediately send the travelers info to the ferry terminal Desktop so that when customers show up their names and reservations will be in their system. 2nd instead of sending different emails, only send one email with the ticket and voucher attachments, reason why i say this, is because when you go print the ticket from your desktop or laptop is says at the top of the page " this is not a ticket". Not only that, but the confirmation and reservation numbers are NOT the same as the ferry company confirmation numbers. Besides that, you guys were Great!! Outstanding Customer service, clear and precise instructions on how to retrieve tickets and meal Voucher. Thank you for helping my family find tickets to Alcatraz, GOD Bless. Respectfully Denis

Response from Host, Jan 2022

Dennis: Thank you for the review! We agree the Viator technology can be quite cumbersome at times. Here is how it should be once you purchase: Guests buy a package from us. We approve/inform that we will send details 2 days out We then send details 2 days out with Alcatraz vouchers In between those time frames there are automated viator reminder messages which often confuse guests. These automated messages are not your tickets for admissions despite saying "obtain your tickets". This automated message is designed for attractions that can attach open ended tickets in advance. This is not the case with Alcatraz group services. Two days out you will receive the actual vouchers you need to obtain boarding tickets! As well; a Viator booking confirmation number is a file folio for Viator and is not the actual Alcatraz confirmation number you need to obtain entry. Guests should always be looking for an exact email from their local operator with their attached Alcatraz voucher that states their exact time.

Not as advertised

Michael_E, Oct 2021

I was sold an early morning tour that was advertised as a small group event that would “beat the crowds”. There was 150 people on the same boat. Everyone I spoke to paid $35 dollars less for the same package. Now I don’t see the same early morning package on your site.

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Alcatraz Early Morning and Lunch. Word for word what we advertise. You obtained our early morning boat and lunch. Exactly what we promised! Alcatraz hosts 5000 guests per day! You were the first 150 on the island for the day with a one hour head start to the next boat. It was never sold as a private "small group event". Please take the time to reread our package to verify that information for yourself. Our rate for this package is set based on behind the scenes costs (taxes, rent, labor, food costs, insurance, boat fees, audio fees, government fees, and platform technology fees) that it takes to even sell you this package. It is completely what we say it is going to be! If you wanted to take your chances without our package you could have done so! Guests in the past have found out it was sold out at the gate and thanked us for adding them to our reservations group manifest! Feel free to scroll through our other satisfied guests reviews for the same package.

You don't need this middleman.

Jackie_B, Aug 2021

The experience was all that could be expected, but the Viator website made it sound as though it was a more intimate excursion. Not so. We simply spent $100 more per person than was necessary! Then who wants to eat at a national chain restaurant when there are dozens of local flavor establishments with excellent food available?