San Francisco: Alcatraz Island & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
San Francisco, USA
- 2 days (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
See all of San Francisco's top sights and attractions in one hassle-free way with this combination sightseeing package. With a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass, you have the flexibility to explore the city at your own pace, including highlights such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, and more. This package also includes ferry admission tickets to Alcatraz Island, the Aquarium by the Bay, and a panoramic sunset tour.
- Tour the city by open-top, double-decker bus with a 48-hour pass
- Visit top San Francisco attractions, including the Golden Gate Bridge
- Access the infamous Alcatraz Island with your included ticket
- Enjoy bonuses such as a sunset tour and Aquarium by the Bay tickets
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
This combo package includes a sunset tour and Alcatraz tickets in addition to hop-on hop-off bus passes.
What's Included
- Round-trip ferry from San Francisco to Alcatraz Island
- Official Alcatraz ticket, including ferry ride to the island
- Alcatraz Cell House Audio Tour
- 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Ticket
- Aquarium by the Bay admission
- 1-hour Digital Walking Tour of Chinatown
- 1-hour Panoramic Sunset Tour
- No additional fees
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Operating hours
- 04/19/2026 - 04/19/2026
Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 04/20/2026 - 04/26/2026
Monday - Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 04/27/2026 - 05/10/2026
Monday - Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 05/11/2026 - 05/12/2026
Monday - Tuesday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 05/13/2026 - 05/17/2026
Wednesday - Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 05/18/2026 - 07/05/2026
Monday - Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 07/06/2026 - 07/11/2026
Monday - Saturday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 07/12/2026 - 07/12/2026
Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 07/13/2026 - 10/04/2026
Monday - Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 10/05/2026 - 10/09/2026
Monday - Friday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 10/10/2026 - 10/11/2026
Saturday - Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 10/12/2026 - 11/22/2026
Monday - Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 11/23/2026 - 11/29/2026
Monday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 11/30/2026 - 12/20/2026
Monday - Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 12/21/2026 - 12/27/2026
Monday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 12/28/2026 - 04/11/2027
Monday - Sunday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- 04/12/2027 - 04/12/2027
Monday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Departure Point
- You may start this tour at any of the stops listed.
Ticket Redemption Point
Big Bus Tours San Francisco, 99 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Itinerary
Your Alcatraz and Big Bus hop-on hop-off combo tour can begin at any stop along the bus route. After climbing aboard, your pass allows you to board and disembark where and when you wish.
Pass the city’s top attractions on the extensive loop, including Haight-Ashbury, the Palace of Fine Arts, Union Square, Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Lombard Street. Stay on board to admire the sights and make use of the audio commentary, or hop off at any time to explore a neighborhood or attraction on your own.
Your pass also includes a round-trip ferry to the prison island of Alcatraz, once home to Al Capone and other infamous inmates, plus a digital walking tour of Chinatown, admission to Aquarium by the Bay, and a panoramic sunset tour.
Pass the city’s top attractions on the extensive loop, including Haight-Ashbury, the Palace of Fine Arts, Union Square, Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Lombard Street. Stay on board to admire the sights and make use of the audio commentary, or hop off at any time to explore a neighborhood or attraction on your own.
Your pass also includes a round-trip ferry to the prison island of Alcatraz, once home to Al Capone and other infamous inmates, plus a digital walking tour of Chinatown, admission to Aquarium by the Bay, and a panoramic sunset tour.
Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Ticket
15 Stops
13 Points of Interest
Duration: 2 days
Operating Schedule: 48-Hour Hop on Hop off Tour: Operates daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm, with buses departing every 15 minutes. Download the free Big Bus app for city information and live bus tracking.
1
99 Jefferson St
2
621 Columbus Ave
3
Clay St (500-598)
4
Ferry Building
5
280 Geary St
6
201 Mason St
7
90 Fulton St
8
944 Fell St
9
1816 Haight St
10
1816 Haight St
11
Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point
12
211 Richardson Ave
13
2101 Lombard St
14
1599 Lombard St
15
Embarcadero
Points of interest passed by on this route
Alcatraz Island
Big Bus Tours
The Embarcadero
Haight-Ashbury
Union Square
Civic Center
Fisherman’s Wharf
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Bridge
Chinatown
Madame Tussauds
Aquarium of the Bay
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- To receive your Alcatraz Island Ticket you must check into the Big Bus Visitor Center one day prior to the Alcatraz Tour date, or before 9am on the date of your Alcatraz Tour.
- Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
- Photo ID is required.
- Please note that the date you have selected is the date for your Alcatraz Tour.
- Your tour time will be assigned 5 days in advance of the tour date. Once a time is assigned we are not able to make any changes, please note your timed entry will be allocated by Alcatraz this will not be able to be personally selected
- Hop-on Hop-off tour ticket is valid during operating hours for 48 hours after first use.
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Frequently Asked Questions (13)
Q:How do I arrange my Alcatraz visit during the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo?
A:After booking, our team will get in touch with you to confirm your preferred Alcatraz tour date and time. This must be confirmed at least 10 days in advance of your visit.
Mar 2021
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
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
Reviews
4.2
based on 654 reviews
Bruce_W, Apr 2026
Great trip which went smoothly! Included Alcatraz tour, aquarium visit and hop on hop off bus tour (sunset and day time).
Maxine_H, Apr 2026
A great way to see the sights sat on the top deck listening to the comentary about the city. Get on and off where you like made it very easy to get around. The evening drive was a great experience to see the city lit up..
Thomas_R, Mar 2026
Everyone was very friendly and helpful. All our activities were great. We meant lots of other travelers too.
Theo_V, Mar 2026
The bus ride was great. It’s the best way to see San Francisco. The sunset bus ride was a little disappointing. We left treasure island before the sunset. 10 minutes was way to short a time to enjoy the sunset.
Kristina_E, Mar 2026
Great way to see, learn and visit the city. I highly recommend the 48 hour ticket with Alcatraz because you can make sure you see and experience everything.
Note Alcatraz tour is always on day one and you need to get tickets day before or first thing before 9 am .
Make sure to plan for 2 hours to be safe for full circle. Most of time was less but one time took this long.
Make sure to have layers was very cold on bridge.
Make sure to use the app very helpful for locating stops and seeing if bus was on its way.
Kerwin was an excellent bus driver making sure all knew we were at stops and didnt miss anything. Arnel was there to assist if there was any confusion or issues.
James_B, Mar 2026
Boat ride to Alcatraz and included admission tickets was great. The only issue is voucher redemtion. We picked up our voucher at big bus tour main office without a hitch. The next day upon arrival at the dock vouchers had to be converted to tickets which meant waiting in a long line at the dock ticket office. Some people were quite upset that they missed their boat time due to the long line, so leave yourself plenty of time to allow for that. The included ticket for hop on hop off bus was very useful and all of the drivers and staff were very friendly and helpful. This tour was well worth the money.
Marlene_W, Jan 2026
We had booked a tour that included Alcatraz,it got cancelled the day before we were to take it,tour company did not notify us,we found out when we went to pick our tickets up.The tour boasted “no refunds for any reason” We called Viator who we had booked through and they were able to get our money back for that portion..We went on to enjoy the other half of tour.Glad we booked with Viator or I don’t think we would have been reimbursed
Margaret_M, Nov 2025
Great visit to Alcatraz Island. Very informative staff who provided a great experience. The Big Bus tour was equally enjoyable. The onboard audio was the best I’ve experienced in a hot on/hop off program. It was extremely informative and kept your attention. It pointed out a lot of interesting features that we otherwise would have missed!!!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hello Margar, thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to know that you enjoyed our San Francisco Alcatraz Island & Hop-on Hop-off tour. It's great to hear that you found our audio to be informative. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon. Thank you, Alice w/Big Bus Tours
Anne_B, Oct 2025
We paired the Alcatraz tour with a 48 hr pass for the hop on-hop off bus. The bus gave us familiarity with the neighborhoods and we could plan where we wanted to spend more time exploring. The Alcatraz tour included the ferry to “the Rock” which was a nice way to see the city and the bridge from the Bay. Alcatraz was interesting to see and they provided good information on the history.
Ian_H, Oct 2025
Excellent staff at Jefferson Street, good Alcatraz tour, clean buses. Would highly recommend this tour
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for the great feedback and for the recommendation. We're glad that you enjoyed it and we hope to see you again with Big Bus Tours.
Anita_H, Sep 2025
Great way to see the city and its famous sights and hear about some of its history. The sunset tour was good but bring a coat for the evening , mid September as going over to Treasure Island was a little chilly. Alcatraz definitely worth it đź‘Ś
Manuel_L, Sep 2025
Excellent time,and value for the money. Two day hop on hop off /Alcatraz tour ,and it waa definitely worth it.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hello Manuel, we appreciate your fantastic review, and it brings us great joy to know that you had a wonderful time on our San Francisco Alcatraz Island & Hop-on Hop-off tour. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Best, Alice @ Big Bus Tours
Denise_D, Sep 2025
2 day pass with ferry and alcatraz included, highly recommend this trip, great way to see the city, great value for money
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for letting us know that you enjoyed our Alcatraz and City Tour package. We appreciate the recommendation and that you found value in the package. We look forward to seeing you with Big Bus Tours again!
grant_s, Aug 2025
When with family whilst staying on the wharf.
Amazing place with a great audio tour.
The additional hop on hop off bus was also a great way to see the city.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hello Grant, we appreciate you taking the time to write a review, and we're delighted to know that you enjoyed our San Francisco: Alcatraz Island & 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour. Please don't hesitate to explore our other cities where we operate, and we eagerly anticipate having you on board again soon. Best regards, Alice w/Big Bus Tours
Marcelo_P, Jul 2025
The Alcatraz Island is what made the experience. The package includes the following:
1-hour Guided Walking Tour of Chinatown: no one can really tell you where that actually begins and where to get the self audio guide so we never got to do this.
1-hour Panoramic Sunset Tour
We thought it was on a boat but it’s a bus that takes you around at Sunset but because they don’t do it on holidays we missed out on it but wasn’t really a must do with everything else around you to do.
48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Ticket:
Depending on how you travel you really only need 24 hours and from there pick and chose where you want to go. It takes you across the Golden Gate Bridge which is nice.
Alcatraz Cell House Audio Tour
This was the best but they select the time for you and we got a 3:20 departure so missed out on some stuff I we would have liked to have seen.
Official Alcatraz ticket, including ferry ride to
the island.
Best part of package. Ferry ride to and from is nice, great food and drinks on it.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hello Marcelo, thank you for your feedback! We're happy to hear you enjoyed the Alcatraz tour and the ferry ride. We're sorry you found our package too pricey. We aim to meet the needs of all our customers with our offerings. Again, we appreciate your input and hope to see you on another adventure with us soon. Alice w/Big Bus Tours
Gavin_T, Jul 2025
Amazing experience! Alcatraz was an incredible experience, the narrated tour was fantastic, educational and entertaining.
The hop on hop off bus was great, just layer up if you’re sitting up top to go across the Golden Gate Bridge. We almost froze!
Highly recommend
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hello Gavin! We really appreciate your feedback. It's great to know that you had a wonderful time on the Alcatraz tour and our hop on hop off tours. Looking forward to seeing you again soon! Best, Ana from Big Bus.
Karyn_L, Jun 2025
Alcatraz is a good tour; waiting for the boat is long both getting there and back. If you need to make a change to your tour date or time, you're completely out of luck. Not only will Viator not return calls, emails or messages within the app, the trip is non refundable no matter what happens. Call big bus tour directly, it's the ONLY way to get assistance. My advice is to book with another company from the start.
Dustin_K, Jun 2025
BUYER BEWARE! This is a scam. I booked this months in advance, because they warn that the Alcatraz tours will sell out. We just got back, and they were available same day (in June). They do not tell you what time your boat leaves for Alcatraz until 4 days before. Here’s the catch, you have to cancel 6 days in advance, or no refund. I had plans in the afternoon (baseball game) and asked to get an earlier time for departure both through the Viator app and email. I also asked the staff at the Bus tour depot and Alcatraz. Everyone points a finger at the other as the responsible party. Viator responded to me today, 5 days after my message and 3 days after cutting Alcatraz short and missing half a baseball game. Do not use Viator for this. Go on your own, or book your Alcatraz trip independently. Would not rely on the Viator customer service for any assistance for anything. They will conveniently contact you after your trip has ended. This will be my last Viator “experience”.
Elizabeth_B, Jun 2025
Alcatraz experience was great. Very interesting and self-guided tour of facility and island allowed for flexibility and spending time viewing various exhibits. Bus tour of San Fran was also very good - takes about 2.5 hours for the the full loop. All major areas of the city are covered. Ride over the Golden Gate Bridge was a surprise - be dressed for it depending on the weather!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience on our city tour, as well as the Alcatraz Tour. We
are glad that you saw all the sites, and we hope to see you again with Big Bus Tours!
caroline_j, May 2025
Not very appealing smells and not maintained, rubbish lying around, construction work, not a great experience
Response from Host, May 2025
We are sorry to hear that you encountered issues with our surroundings. Thank you for letting us know, as we are always looking for ways to improve. If you have any other comments or concerns you can email us directly at sfreservations@bigbustours.com.
Richard_L, Apr 2025
The 48 hour hop on hop off bus tour was interesting & good value but I did find the Alcatraz tour over hyped.
I could've booked this myself over there easily as you were only issued with voucher tickets. In Alcatraz Island, you had a choice of viewing at your own leisure or buy a headphone with commentary.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Hi Richard_L! We really appreciate your feedback! It's wonderful to know that you had a great time on the Big Bus tour! Thanks for sharing your tips about the Alcatraz Tour! We look forward to welcoming you back on a Big Bus Tour soon! Best regards, Mihaela @ Big Bus
Elaine_H, Apr 2025
The Alcatraz visit was excellent and the Hop on Hop off bus was also very good and gave us a great chance to see all that San Francisco had to offer.
The only issue was that when the ticket was purchased it stated that we could have complimentary tickets for one of the rides/experiences available on Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco however when we enquired about this at the time we were told that this offer was no longer available. The 2 children in our party were very upset with this causing us the extra expense of purchasing tickets for them as they had been told this would be available.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Hi Elaine_H
Thank you for taking your time to write your feedback! We are sorry to hear that one of the ticket inclusions was no longer available! Feel free to contact us via live chat so we can find a solution for you. Our team is 24/7 there for you! We will be happy to see you again in the future! Best wishes. Cristian T, Big Bus Tours
Stephen_C, Apr 2025
Interesting tour. Good guides a good walk around. Good views back toward San Francisco Bay but very windy over on the island
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Hi Stephen_C! Thank you so much for the fantastic 5 stars review! We are truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Alcatraz tour and the journey back to the Bay. The island's windy weather is indeed a significant factor that contributed to its reputation as a nearly impossible prison to escape from. The unique combination of its isolation and harsh environmental conditions made it a formidable challenge for any would-be escapee. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! Gabriel - Big Bus Tours
Kerry_G, Mar 2025
Alcatraz was amazing very well organised a bit disappointed with hop on/off bus as it was more structured than we thought it would be but excellent value as a package
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hello Kerry_G! Thank you so much for your feedback. We're thrilled to know you enjoyed the Alcatraz tour and found our package perfect for your trip. We can't wait to welcome you back soon! Best wishes, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Federico_A, Feb 2025
Very well organized. Did not have any problems with it. Good communication and directions to get my tickets and flexibility.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Federico_A thank you for the recommendation. We are truly delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful start to your experience and found our colleagues to be knowledgeable and helpful with both the tickets and directions. We wish you a fantastic tour with us on the second day as well. Gabriel - Big Bus Tours.
Floyd_C, Feb 2025
Alcatraz trip was excellent! Bus tours was great too and convenient to see all the sights and get off and on throughout two days!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour package. Thank you for visiting San Francisco and for joining Big Bus Tours!
Harry_W, Feb 2025
I had a 48 hour hop on hop off pass. It started 12:30 pm on Friday and expired 6:00 pm on Saturday. I should receive a refund for the stolen 3 hours.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Hello Harry_W! Thank you so much for your feedback. We're really sorry to hear that you missed out on 3 hours of your tour. If you need any help with your booking, feel free to reach out to us through live chat, and one of our agents will respond in under 2 minutes. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Best, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Paul_M, Feb 2025
Excellent service Alcatraz amazing experience and the hop on hop bus shows you around great areas in San Francisco would highly recommend
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Dear Paul, your feedback is incredibly appreciated! Visiting Alcatraz is such a special experience, and we're delighted to hear that you enjoyed learning about its fascinating history. It brings us great joy to know that our 2-Day Hop-on Hop-off Tour added to your adventure. We would be excited to welcome you back for more explorations in any of our cities. Thank you, Alice with Big Bus Tours.
Jane_d, Jan 2025
The tour is fabulous, Viator however are shocking, you make your purchase and you are absolutely bombarded with emails for new offers when the emails for your purchases don’t even tally, different times for pick ups and for the actual trip, emails ignored and the people who you chat with are flipant and don’t care.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Hi Jane, thank you for your honest feedback. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our San Francisco Alcatraz Island & 2-Day Hop-on Hop-off Tour. Regarding our bus schedules, we highly recommend downloading the Big Bus Tours app. It allows you to track buses in real time, check the first and last bus times at each stop, and find the nearest stop to your location. We sincerely apologize for any negative impression we may have left. Your satisfaction is incredibly important to us, and we are available 24/7 to assist you. Please feel free to reach out to us directly so we can address your concerns. We hope this experience hasn’t overshadowed your overall enjoyment, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon. Thank you, Alice w/Big Bus Tours.
Lorraine_a, Jan 2025
Very well organised, interesting & informative
Good explanations, easy to find way around
Great views of the City
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Dear Lorraine, thank you so much for your kind review! We’re thrilled to know that you had a great time on our Alcatraz & 2-Day Hop-on Hop-off Tour. We look forward to having you join us for more adventures in the future.
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per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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