United States
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island)
The ferry to Alcatraz Island, San Francisco
Est. 1973San Francisco, California, USA
Photo: Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay — Don Ramey Logan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)- 2
- Routes
- 2
- Ports
- 15m
- Avg crossing
- 1973
- Founded
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) is the ferry to Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, founded in 1973 and based in San Francisco, California, USA. It operates 2 ferry routes serving 2 ports in United States. Customer contact: +1 415-561-4900. Across its network, crossings average about 15m.
Live board
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) departures today
Filtered to sailings that operate on today's date — open a departure for its full timetable.
Timetables
Which routes does Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) operate?
2 routes with live schedules.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcatraz Island → Pier 33 | 15m | 23 / wk | 1 | United States |
| Pier 33 → Alcatraz Island | 15m | 18 / wk | 1 | United States |
Alcatraz Island1 route
Pier 331 route
Network
Where does Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) sail?
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) sails to 2 ports.
Experience
Onboard & services
- Passenger ferries
- Hybrid-electric vessels
- Audio cellhouse tour included
- Day & night tours
- Alcatraz Island is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (NPS)
- The former federal prison 'The Rock', reachable only by ferry
- Ferries depart Pier 33, San Francisco, ~15 minutes across the bay
- Run by the NPS concessioner Alcatraz City Cruises (Hornblower)
- Day, night and behind-the-scenes tours with an audio cellhouse tour
About
About Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island)
Alcatraz Island is a unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco Bay, United States, managed by the US National Park Service. The famous former federal prison — "The Rock" — has no bridge or road, so the only way to reach it is by the park's authorised ferry from the San Francisco waterfront.
Pier 33 to The Rock
Ferries leave Pier 33 (Alcatraz Landing) on The Embarcadero and cross San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island in about 15 minutes. Day tours, night tours and longer behind-the-scenes visits all include the award-winning audio cellhouse tour. The National Park Service's official concessioner, Alcatraz City Cruises (Hornblower), is the only operator licensed to run the crossing, so advance booking is strongly advised.
History and visiting
Alcatraz served as a maximum-security federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, holding inmates such as Al Capone, and was later the site of the 1969–71 Native American occupation. Today it is one of the most visited National Park sites, drawing well over a million visitors a year. Ferry tickets are priced in US dollars, with reduced rates for children and seniors, and modern hybrid-electric vessels serve the route.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When was Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) founded?
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) was founded in 1973, and is headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA.
Where does Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) sail?
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) operates 2 ferry routes and serves 2 ports in United States, including Alcatraz Island, Pier 33.
How do I contact Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island)?
You can reach Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) by phone on +1 415-561-4900, or via their official booking site.
What facilities are available on Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) ferries?
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) ferries typically offer Passenger ferries, Hybrid-electric vessels, Audio cellhouse tour included, Day & night tours. Facilities vary by vessel and route — check the specific sailing for details.
How early should I arrive for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) ferry?
Arrive at the terminal at least 30–60 minutes before a Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) departure as a foot passenger, and allow longer with a vehicle. Boarding and check-in times vary by port and route — confirm with Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island).
How do I find Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) ferry times?
Browse the live timetables for every Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) route on this page. Schedules are updated as the operator publishes them — always confirm with Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island) before travelling, as sailings change seasonally.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated July 26, 2026.
Contact & booking
Help us keep schedules accurate — we read every report.