Name: Explore Ticket + Alcatraz | San Francisco | Big Bus Tours
Brand: Big Bus Tours
Rating: 4.0 (5579 reviews)

Highlights

Discover the iconic sights of San Francisco on our 2-day hop-on, hop-off Big Bus Tour, with Alcatraz entry.

Explore Alcatraz

Discover the world's most infamous prison.

Also known as 'The Rock', the federal prison once established on Alcatraz Island is synonymous with notorious bank robbers and murderers like Al Capone, 'Machine Gun' Kelly, and the 'Birdman of Alcatraz', Robert Stroud. Now empty, and managed by the National Park Service, you can hop on a ferry to visit Alcatraz for yourself. Once you arrive, you'll have hours to explore the infamous facility with a personal audioguide. Learn about the lives of prisoners and guards alike, inspect the cells, and take in magnificent views of surrounding San Francisco Bay.

Alcatraz Need-to-Know

Important information about visiting Alcatraz.

This ticket includes admission to Alcatraz and return ferry transfers from Pier 33. After booking, please email [email protected] with your booking reference, preferred Alcatraz tour date, lead guest name, and names for all other guests included in the booking (and ages if they are under 18). This must be confirmed at least 11 days in advance of your visit. Same-day bookings are not available. Please redeem your e-tickets at our 99 Jefferson St Information Center the day before (or up until 10:00am the day of) your Alcatraz visit. Photo ID is required for each adult in the group over the age of 18. Alcatraz tour times are considered confirmed tickets once a time has been allocated and cannot be changed. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Pre-recorded Commentary

Available in 10 languages.

Pre-recorded commentary is available in 10 languages on all Red Route buses via complimentary headphones that you can keep when you hop off the bus. Languages featured include English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Cantonese.

Hop on, hop off

Explore San Francisco at your own pace.

Make the most of your time in San Francisco with our flexible hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours. Explore the city's sights at your own pace - you'll have the freedom to hop off the tour at any of our conveniently located stops, and rejoin when you're ready.

Free Walking Tour

Discover San Francisco's Chinatown

Discover more of San Francisco with a complimentary Chinatown Walking Tour. Walk through this world-famous historic neighborhood. See the magnificent Chinatown gates, the busy marketplace and the vibrant mix of historical and modern day culture. This tour is led by a qualified guide who will give you an insight into the area’s history and must-see locations. You can join the Chinatown Walk from Stop 2 (North Beach / Chinatown). Tour departs daily at 1:00pm . The Walking Tour duration is approximately 1 hour.

Pampanito or Blazing Saddles

Choose from one of two of San Francisco's top experiences

This ticket includes either Blazing Saddles bike hire, or admission to the USS Pampanito. Do a deep dive into the history of a historic World war WWII submarine, or cycle across San Francisco's stunning waterfront, across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausalito. To make your choice, please speak to a Big Bus Tours staff member when you redeem your ticket on-street.

Free Mobile App

Now with live bus arrival times!

Download our free mobile app for the perfect pocket companion to your sightseeing adventure. Our new live bus arrival times feature shows you exactly where the bus is along the route, along with an ETA for your nearest stop! This gives you the freedom to make the most of your time exploring. In addition to live bus arrival times, you'll also get detailed maps and route information, stop images, walking directions, facts about famous landmarks and attractions, ticket offers and more. Save memory-making minutes on your city adventure with the Big Bus Tours App!

Check Service

Plan ahead for your tour with our service updates

Visit our Service Information Page for up-to-date information about our current service.

Fully Flexible

You can change your ticket date!

This ticket is fully flexible, which means you can change your ticket date to another travel date within 14 days of your original date, up to 72 hours before beginning your bus tour! Just contact us to learn more.

1 Route

Our San Francisco Sightseeing Routes

One of the undeniable highlights of our San Francisco Bus Tour is the journey across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, with top-deck views across the bay. However, with its diverse neighborhoods, lively entertainment hub and bustling shopping district, there are so many other great areas of the Golden City to explore. Hop on with us to discover the best of San Francisco.