Alcatraz is a fortress located on an island near San Francisco. From 1859, it served to protect the coast and later became a military prison. In 1934, it was transformed into one of the strictest federal prisons, earning the reputation of being escape-proof. Over its 30 years of operation, it housed several infamous criminals, including Al Capone. In 2012, a TV series about this legendary prison was created, titled Alcatraz.
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Table of Contents
Tickets to Alcatraz, Ferry Information, and Visitor Tips
⛴️ How to Get to Alcatraz
The ferry to Alcatraz departs from Pier 33. I recommend arriving 30–45 minutes early. You must either print your reservation or exchange it for an actual ticket. This can be done at the clearly visible ticket booth near the Alcatraz model by presenting a passport or another photo ID.
The ferry runs approximately every 30 to 40 minutes in both directions, and you can choose your return time. The first ferry departs at around 8:40 AM, and the last one returns at 6:30 PM (summer) or 4:25 PM (winter). The ride itself takes 12–15 minutes. The ferry schedule may vary depending on the season, so I recommend double-checking it.
⌛ How Long Does an Alcatraz Tour Take?
Alcatraz is located on an island and is accessible only via scheduled ferries. You must use the ferry time listed on your ticket for the journey to Alcatraz, but you can return at any time. However, you must be back on the last ferry to San Francisco.
Plan for approximately three hours to complete your visit, including travel time. This gives you enough time to visit the cells and watch the documentary film. If you’re in a rush, you can finish the tour in about an hour, but it would diminish the experience.
🎟️ Alcatraz Tickets
The price for tickets to the day tour of Alcatraz is $45 for adults aged 12 and up, $28 for children aged 5 to 11, and $43 for seniors aged 62 and older.
Tickets for the night tour are slightly more expensive. Adults pay $56, children aged 5 to 11 pay $33, teenagers aged 12 to 17 pay $55, and seniors aged 62 and older pay $52.
I last updated the prices on January 19, 2025. All ticket variants include a round-trip ferry ticket and an English audio tour. You can book tickets online. I recommend doing so up to three months in advance, as they tend to sell out quickly.
⚠️ How to Avoid Overpaying
The authorized ticket seller is Alcatraz City Cruises by Hornblower. Other companies operate ferries, but they usually only offer boat rides around the island without the option to land.
💡 Tips for Visiting Alcatraz
I recommend visiting Alcatraz early in the morning to avoid the crowds that arrive later. As mentioned earlier, purchase your tickets well in advance, even up to three months.
Pack an extra layer of clothing, as the island can be windy, even on sunny summer days. Insect repellent is also handy, as mosquito attacks in mid-September can be unpleasant. It’s a good idea to bring snacks and water, as onboard refreshments are limited.
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Legends and Myths About Alcatraz
⭕ How Many People Escaped from Alcatraz
No other prison in the world is surrounded by as many myths as Alcatraz. The prison operated until March 21, 1963, when the last prisoner left the island.
During its operation, 36 prisoners attempted to escape in 14 separate escape attempts. A total of 31 were either captured or shot, while the remaining five were declared dead. It is believed they drowned, as they were never seen again.
According to official records, no one successfully escaped from Alcatraz. However, some prisoners did attempt to escape and remain listed as missing. Most likely, they died during their escape attempts.
The most famous case is the 1962 escape attempt by John Anglin, Clarence Anglin, and Frank Morris. The trio created fake heads, which they placed in their beds to deceive the guards after their escape.
⭕ Sharks Around Alcatraz
One legend claims that the waters surrounding Alcatraz are infested with sharks, making it impossible to escape. This is not true. There are no dangerous sharks in the waters around Alcatraz. While the bay is home to harmless leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata), they pose no threat to humans.
The real obstacles to escape were the cold water, strong currents, and the 5,000 ft separating Alcatraz from the San Francisco shoreline. If you’re interested in this topic, watch the film Escape from Alcatraz, starring Clint Eastwood.
⭕ Life Sentences and Executions at Alcatraz
Another myth suggests that Alcatraz housed prisoners serving life sentences or carried out executions. This is untrue, even though Alcatraz was considered the toughest prison in America. There’s even a saying: “Break the rules and you go to prison, break the prison rules and you go to Alcatraz.”
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Facts and Trivia About Alcatraz
◻️ Number of Prisoners in Alcatraz
Alcatraz was never filled to its full capacity of 320 prisoners; it typically housed around 260 inmates. Over its entire operation, 1,576 inmate numbers were issued, though the actual number of prisoners was lower, as some were incarcerated more than once. Prisoners were housed in Blocks B and C, which contained 336 cells in total. Block D, with 42 cells, was reserved for unruly inmates.
◻️ Guards Lived on the Island
Between 60 and 80 guards supervised the inmates, working in eight-hour shifts. The exact number of guards varied over the years, and many of them lived on the island with their families. Several children grew up on Alcatraz, and the guards established a notable garden in their free time, cultivating resilient plants like watercress, poppies, eucalyptus, and cypress trees.
◻️ How Many Prisoners Died in Alcatraz
Death was not uncommon at Alcatraz. During the prison’s operation, eight prisoners were murdered by fellow inmates, five committed suicide, and 15 died from natural causes, illnesses, or infections.
◻️ Alcatraz Was Originally a Military Fortress
Alcatraz came under federal control in 1850 and began serving as a military fortress in 1859 to protect San Francisco Bay. In 1907, it became a military prison, and in 1934, it was incorporated into the federal prison system.
◻️ The Origin of the Name Alcatraz
The name Alcatraz comes from Spanish and refers to the island where the prison is located. It was named “La Isla de los Alcatraces” (The Island of Pelicans) in 1775 by Spanish naval officer Juan Manuel de Ayala. Over time, the name was shortened to the current Alcatraz.
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Famous Alcatraz Prisoners: Al Capone and Birdman Stroud
The most famous inmate at Alcatraz was Alphonse Gabriel Capone, better known as Al Capone. He stayed on the island from 1934 to 1938. After a fistfight with a fellow inmate, he briefly served time in Block D, reserved for problematic prisoners. In 1938, Al Capone, prisoner number AZ-85, was transferred to a facility in southern California. This occurred a year before his early release, partly due to health issues caused by advanced syphilis.
Another well-known Alcatraz inmate was Robert Stroud, nicknamed The Birdman. He earned this nickname at his previous prison, Leavenworth, where he became a respected ornithologist. However, he was not allowed to keep birds at Alcatraz. Stroud was held in solitary confinement in Block D from 1942 to 1948 and then transferred to the hospital wing, where he remained until 1959.
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Photos of Alcatraz
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