Alcatraz Tours: The Most Visited Tourist Attraction in San Francisco
Alcatraz tours are an incredible way to discover the history and mystique of this notorious island. Alcatraz is probably most famous for housing some of the most notorious criminals in American history. The infamous prison housed such famous inmates as Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis. Alcatraz offers a fascinating glimpse into America’s past with its former prison site and old military fortress. Visitors can enjoy either an Alcatraz lighthouse tour or an Alcatraz escape tour. Both options give visitors a great look at this intriguing landmark and much more. Read on for more information about these two interesting tours, along with the best time to visit if you’re planning a trip, cost of tickets, and things to know before you go!
Group bookings are available for a minimum group number of 100 people.
Please note that tickets are for private group booking only. For single ticket tours please visit: https://www.tcketi.com/alcatraz-tours/
Alcatraz Lighthouse Tour
During this tour, you’ll learn the fascinating history of the lighthouse on Alcatraz. You’ll also get a chance to see the beautiful views from the top of the lighthouse, which is accessible by a special elevator. This is a great option for families or people who are not interested in the history of the island. The lighthouse tour is quite short but it’s very informative. You’ll get a chance to learn about the Alcatraz lighthouse and how it works, how it was built, and how it changes with the seasons. You’ll finish the tour with some beautiful views from the top of the lighthouse, which is 160 feet above the water. You can also see Golden Gate Bridge from here.
Alcatraz Island Escape Tour
During this tour, you’ll learn all about the famous escape attempts made by Al Capone and other famous criminals. You’ll also get to explore the rest of the island, including areas that are off-limits to the general public. This tour is a bit more immersive than the lighthouse tour. It lasts about 90 minutes and features many stories of the inmates and guards who once lived and worked here. You’ll also get to see some of the more inaccessible areas of the island. You’ll learn about the challenges faced by the prisoners and guards who worked here during the height of Alcatraz’s popularity as a prison. You’ll also get a chance to explore the old guard tower and the underwater areas of the island.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Alcatraz Tours is during the shoulder season. Many people visit during the summer months or on big holidays like Labor Day. If you visit during these times, you’ll likely encounter long lines, crowds and a less-than-ideal experience. If you visit during the shoulder season, you’ll likely avoid the crowds. You’ll also have a chance to see some of the beautiful fall foliage if you visit in October or November. If you can, try to avoid visiting on a weekend. Weekends are the busiest times of the week and you’ll encounter much longer lines. Even weekdays can be quite busy, so try to visit on a less popular day if you can.
Cost of Tickets
The cost of tickets to Alcatraz can vary quite a bit depending on what tour you take. The lighthouse tour is much less expensive than the escape tour. You can expect to pay about $37 for an adult ticket to the Alcatraz lighthouse tour and about $50 for an adult ticket to the Alcatraz escape tour. Visa and MasterCard are accepted as methods of payment. You can also purchase tickets in advance online. If you book in advance, you’ll save a little bit of money.
Things to know before you go
- Alcatraz is not wheelchair accessible. This means you will have to climb quite a few stairs to get to the top of the lighthouse. - There is no air conditioning on Alcatraz. If you visit during the summer months, you may find the heat to be very stifling. - There is no public restroom on Alcatraz. You’ll have to plan accordingly if you need to use the restroom. - There are no public telephones on Alcatraz. If you need to make a phone call, you’ll need to bring your own phone. - Many areas are off-limits to the public. This means you may not be able to see everything you would like to see on your tour. - You’ll need to pay a $7 parking fee if you arrive by car.
Which tour should you take?
Whether you take the Alcatraz lighthouse tour or the Alcatraz escape tour, you’ll get a great glimpse into the history of this famous landmark. Both of these tours are incredibly interesting, so you won’t be disappointed regardless of which one you choose. The Alcatraz lighthouse tour is the best choice for families with young children or people who aren’t interested in hearing all of the escape stories. The Alcatraz escape tour is best for people who are particularly interested in hearing stories of the prisoners who once lived and worked here.
Please note that tickets are for private group booking only. For single ticket tours please visit: https://www.tcketi.com/alcatraz-tours/
