A chief part of contemporary pop-culture, Alcatraz has appeared in several books, films, television shows, and music videos. And maybe, this is one of the reasons why it is so popular amongst the tourists. Formerly known as one of the most merciless penitentiary, Alcatraz has come a long way by transforming into a space of intriguing history and evolution. If you happen to be in San Francisco, then you must pay a visit to the Alcatraz Island. Although you should know that this place is always teeming with tourists. So, make it a point to plan and book the tickets in advance.

The best way to get Alcatraz tours tickets is through alcatrazcruises.com. This is because the National Park Service has a tie-up with the Alcatraz Cruises, which facilitates the ferry rides. The website allows a window of 90 days of advanced booking for the ferry tickets. The ferry service usually runs throughout the year, with a daily schedule that operates from 9 am to 4:30 pm. During the summers, it has an extended timing, i.e., till 6 pm. The National Park Service recommends visitors to make the reservations as soon as possible, because typically, the Alcatraz tours tickets completely sell out about a week in advance.

If you are wondering how to choose the best excursion option, start by designing a proper schedule. It could be an opportune extended weekend or the pleasant summer week of June. After you prioritize your visit dates, explore the various tour options. You can opt for a day tour, night tour, or a combination tour. The ferry service for the day tours will be high in frequency as compared to night and combination tours. The duration of your visit purely depends on how long you want to stay on the island. Ideally it shouldn’t be more 45 hours. The tickets costs around $38/adult and $23/child.

You can also go and buy tickets at the Pier 33, the mainland location from where all the tours leave for Alcatraz Island. Although you can face some hassle here because there are limited number of seats and one person can only buy one ticket. For instance, if your friends are late and coming over, you cannot buy 2 more tickets at the counter. To buy those 2 tickets your friends must be physically present with you. But you can still try your luck for the early morning tickets, especially during off season. Alcatraz Cruises starts selling these limited tickets from around 7:30 am at the pier, on a first come, first served basis.