Alcatraz Behind The Scenes Tour
Only Authorized Concessioner
Discover areas not otherwise available to the public! Join a group of 30 people or fewer on a guided adventure to explore off-limits areas and hear little-known-stories about the Island's fascinating past, then join the Alcatraz Night Tour (including Cellhouse Audio Tour) for a full evening's experience.
Starting at
$104.65
Starting at
$104.65
Enjoy your visit with:
- Duration several hours, included the Night Tour
- Round-trip ferry ride to Alcatraz Island
- Small group, personally guided Behind the Scenes Tour (in English) with a National Park Service Ranger or expert historical educator, approximately 90 minutes long
- Explore multiple areas that are off-limits to the general public and hear fascinating stories about the Island’s history and its relevance today
- After the small group guided Behind the Scenes Tour, explore the Island on your own in a variety of ways:Take the award-winning Cellhouse Audio Tour (available in 11 languages)
- Participate in additional optional live programs throughout the evening and exhibits throughout the Island
- Enjoy spectacular views on the Island’s west side, facing San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge
- This experience includes both a 90-minute Behind the Scenes Tour and the full Alcatraz Night Tour experience which includes the Audio Tour, live specialty programs, and breathtaking evening views. Boats return to San Francisco several times per evening starting at 7:55 pm (early March-early November) / 6:30 pm (early Nov-early March). Plan on a total experience time of several hours.
- DEPARTURE NOTE: During High Season (early March-early November), guests may choose to cut short their experience and depart on the last daytime boat at 6:20 pm, but doing so will mean missing part of the Behind the Scenes Tour as well as the entire Night Tour experience. We are unable to provide refunds in this circumstance.
How to get there?
Pier 33
San Francisco
California
United States
San Francisco
California
United States
Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing
Pier 33 Suite 200
San Francisco, CA
- Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is the launch site to Alcatraz Island.
- Alcatraz Landing includes the Ticketbooth and waiting and boarding areas, all of which are accessible. Accessible bathrooms are found at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and on all Alcatraz City Cruises vessels.
- Please note: there are no wheelchairs available for loan either at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing or on Alcatraz Island.
Additional Information
A very helpful FAQ page is found here to help!
- Spring/Summer Schedule, Sunday, March 8, 2026 - Sunday, November 1, 2026
Available Tuesdays - Saturdays - 4:20 PM, 5:20 PM
(No Behind the Scenes Tour on July 4, 2026)
- The tour departs from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing in the afternoon. Visitors will have plenty of time to take the Behind the Scenes Tour followed by the Cellhouse Audio Tour and to explore the Island at their leisure. Participants can return on any departing boat back to San Francisco.
- It is recommended that you arrive at least one half hour prior to your departure time.
- The weather on Alcatraz is unpredictable and subject to change unexpectedly, so be sure to dress in layers. Follow this link for more information.
- The Behind the Scenes Tour is a unique and extremely popular program limited to a maximum of only 30 guests per tour, with ample opportunities to engage in-depth with your tour leader and fellow tour participants, capture unusual photos, and discover off-the-beaten track areas of Alcatraz that are closed to regular visitors.
- The Behind the Scenes Tour is a very physically strenuous tour. It involves 90-120 minutes of extensive walking on steep hills, climbing multiple staircases, possible ladder climbing, and standing for extended periods of time. Please consider these conditions in determining whether this tour is appropriate for you and other members of your group. This tour is limited to participants age 12 and older.
- After the small group behind the scenes tour, you will then participate in the full Alcatraz Night Tour experience which includes the Audio Tour, special live specialty programs, and breathtaking evening views. Boats return to San Francisco according to the Night Tour schedule. Plan on a a total experience time of several hours.
- The accessible tram is only available for the 3:20 PM Behind the Scenes Departure (Winter Schedule) and 5:20PM for the Summer Schedule. If any member of your party will need to utilize the accessible tram, you must notify Alcatraz City Cruises at least 72 hours in advance so that special arrangements can be made for extra staffing of the Behind the Scenes Tour. After selecting tickets for purchase, the tram can also be reserved in the second step - Enhancements or Upgrades - section by clicking on the Merchandise icon.
- 72-hour notice for cancellations or rescheduling required to receive a refund.
- View the Terms and Conditions of ticket purchases.
Please Note:
- For safety reasons, children under the age of 12 are not allowed on the Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour. Please do not purchase tickets for children under the age of 12 for this tour as they will not be able to board the vessels for the tour and refunds will not be available.
- The two 90-minute guided portion of your tour is available only in English. Once you reach the Cellhouse portion of the tour, you may choose the audio tour in one of the 11 offered languages. The Cellhouse audio tour is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
- The roads and walkways on Alcatraz are steep. The distance from the dock to the Cellhouse is approximately 1/4 mile (.4km) and the elevation change is 130 feet (40 meters), the equivalent of walking up a 13-story building. The roads and walkways are wide with several places to stop along the way to rest and take in the breathtaking views. Comfortable athletic or walking shoes are strongly recommended. If you have mobility concerns, please see our Sustainable Easy Access Transport (S.E.A.T.) Tram information.