Booking choice: The Alcatraz and Muir Woods combo, from $159 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Alcatraz tickets are timed, and the island is the harder half of the day to secure. The woods have no ticket that sells out except the parking reservation, which a tour handles for you.
This guide sets the Alcatraz and Muir Woods combo against the city day with an Alcatraz option and booking each part on its own.
The quick answer
Yes, in 8 hours with the Alcatraz and Muir Woods combo at $159, which includes the official Alcatraz ticket, the $15 Muir Woods entry and hotel pickup. Alcatraz tickets can sell out several weeks ahead in summer, so book the island first.
Can you do Muir Woods and Alcatraz in one day?
Yes, with a combo tour built for it, about 8 hours with hotel pickup. Doing both on your own is possible but tight.
The Alcatraz visit alone takes about 3 hours with the ferry rides, per the Alcatraz City Cruises FAQ. Muir Woods tours give 70 to 90 minutes inside the forest, plus the drive. A combo handles the transfers and the order.
How far ahead do Alcatraz tickets sell out?
The NPS Alcatraz FAQ says tickets may sell out several weeks ahead in summer and around holiday weekends.
The ferry operator says tours often sell out a week or more ahead and that same-day tickets are rarely available. The Pier 33 booth can also run out. Alcatraz City Cruises is the only authorized ferry operator, and a package from another seller counts only if its Alcatraz portion is priced the same as buying direct.
An official Alcatraz ticket and the redwoods in one booking, with hotel pickup.
Check dates for the Alcatraz and Muir Woods comboWhat are the three ways to combine them?
A combo tour, the city day with an Alcatraz option, or two separate bookings on different days.
Each trades money and flexibility differently.
| Way | Length | Alcatraz ticket | Muir Woods entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Alcatraz and Muir Woods combo | 8 hours | Official ticket and ferry included | Included |
| The Golden Gate city day | 6 hours plus about 2 h with Alcatraz | Optional add-on | Paid on the day |
| Booked separately | Two days | Directly from Alcatraz City Cruises | Your own plan |
What does the Alcatraz combo include?
The official Alcatraz ticket and ferry, Muir Woods entry of $15, Sausalito and hotel pickup, in about 8 hours.
The listing rates 4.5 from 24 guests and gives time on your own on the island. The reviews are few, so read the itinerary on the listing before you commit.
The official Alcatraz ticket plus the redwoods and Sausalito in one day.
Explore the Alcatraz and Muir Woods comboHow long does Alcatraz take?
Allow 2.5 to 3 hours, including roughly 15-minute ferry rides each way.
Guests check in at Pier 33 about 30 minutes before departure, with photo ID. The NPS Alcatraz FAQ says the walk from the dock to the cellhouse takes most people 10 to 15 minutes, and it is often chillier on the island, so wear layers. The island closes at 6:30 pm in summer and at 4:30 pm in fall, winter and spring, per the NPS Alcatraz hours page.
What does the city day with an Alcatraz option add?
The Golden Gate city day adds Alcatraz as an optional ticket of about 2 hours, with the Muir Woods entry paid on the day.
It is rated 4.9 from 1,482 guests and visits Pacific Heights, Fort Point, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito and the woods for 1 hour 15 minutes. It suits visitors who want the whole city loop and one island stop. Compare the final length on the listing for the date you pick.
Should you book Alcatraz and Muir Woods separately?
Only if you want a slower pace. Booking separately gives each place a full day but costs two days.
Booked direct, the operator's standard rule is a full refund until 72 hours before departure, and the combo and the city day on this site carry a full refund up to 24 hours before. Book Alcatraz first, since it sells out, and fit the woods around it. The small group tour makes a calm companion day.
What do you give up with a combo?
Time. Each half is shorter than a standalone visit, and the day is long.
You still get Alcatraz's ferry and cellhouse, and the woods' 70 to 90 minutes. You lose hours at the harbor and an evening in the city. Pack layers, because fog and wind change the island and the forest feel. For help picking among all the tours, see the half day vs full day guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Alcatraz and Muir Woods in one day?
Yes. The Alcatraz and Muir Woods combo takes about 8 hours and includes the official Alcatraz ticket.
How far ahead should I book Alcatraz?
The National Park Service says tickets may sell out several weeks ahead in summer and around holiday weekends. Book it first.
Is Alcatraz included in a Muir Woods tour?
On most tours, no. The Alcatraz combo includes it, and the city day offers it as an add-on.
Who sells official Alcatraz tickets?
Alcatraz City Cruises is the only authorized ferry operator, with ferries leaving from Pier 33.
Ready to book
Choose your Muir Woods tour
Every option here can be cancelled for a full refund; the deadline is on each listing. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Alcatraz Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito
Golden Gate, Muir Woods and Sausalito
- About 6 hours in a white minibus with a local guide, from the Hyde Street cable car turnaround
- Stops at Pacific Heights, Fort Point, the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito
- 1 hour 15 minutes at Muir Woods; the $15 entry per person is paid on the day
Muir Woods and Sausalito Small Group Tour
- About 5 hours in an air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter van, 14 guests at most
- A 10-minute vista stop at the Golden Gate Bridge
- 1 hour 15 minutes at Muir Woods and 1 hour on the Sausalito boardwalk
