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Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo

San Francisco, United States
Likely to Sell Out

From $123.30

Select Date and Travelers

Non-refundable
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
San Francisco Tours
All San Francisco Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Unique Experiences
  • 3 hours (approx.)
  • Offered in: English

Overview

This combo package allows you to see all of San Francisco's top sights and attraction. Ride the open top double decker bus for one full day, hopping on and off at over 15 stops around the city. Cruise across the bay to the infamous prison known today as the Rock and explore the infamous Island.
  • Big Bus San Francisco hop-on hop-off tour and Alcatraz Island combo
  • Tour the city by open-top, double-decker bus with your 1-day sightseeing pass
  • Visit top San Francisco attractions including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, Pier 39 and Lombard Street
  • Customize your own itinerary and hop on and off as you please
  • Visit the infamous prison island of Alcatraz with your included admission ticket

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Get all the added bonuses—tours of Chinatown and on the Sausalito trolley—plus a ferry ride to Alcatraz.

What's Included

  • Round-trip ferry from San Francisco to Alcatraz Island
  • Buy 1 hour bike rental get 1 hour free from any Blazing Saddles shop
  • Two Day Hop-on Hop-off Ticket
  • Please note that the date you have selected is the date for your Alcatraz Tour
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Start time

Opening hours

Select your preferred tour option to see hours.
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Ticket redemption point

Big Bus Tours San Francisco, 99 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

What To Expect

Your Big Bus San Francisco Sightseeing and Alcatraz Combo can begin at any stop along the bus route. After climbing aboard your pass will allow you to hop on and off as much as you’d like.

You’ll pass the city’s top attractions on the exensive loop, including Haight-Ashbury, the Palace of Fine Arts, Union Square, Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the crooked path of Lombard Street. Stick on board with the audio commentary to admire the sights, or hop off at any time to explore a neighborhood or attraction on your own. This ticket also includes a round-trip ferry to the infamous prison island of Alcatraz, once home to Al Capone and other famous inmates and a bonus deal on a bike rental.
Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Ticket

15 Stops

12 Points of Interest

Duration: 3 hours

Operating Schedule: 2 Day Hop on Hop off Tour: Operates daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm, with buses departing every 60 minutes. Customers are advised to download our app to find out more about our new health and safety measures and for real-time bus tracking information. Alternatively please visit our website.

99 Jefferson St

Stop 1 - San Francisco Visitor Center

621 Columbus Ave

Stop 2 - North Beach / Chinatown

Clay St (500-598)

Stop 3 - Embarcadero Center

Ferry Building

Stop 4 - Ferry Building

280 Geary St

Stop 5 - Union Square South

201 Mason St

Stop 6 - Redemption Center / Hilton Hotel

90 Fulton St

Stop 7 - Civic Center

944 Fell St

Stop 8 - Alamo Square

1816 Haight St

Stop 9 - Haight Ashbury

1816 Haight St

Stop 10 - Golden Gate Park (Monday - Saturday only)

Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point

Stop 11 - North Vista Point / Golden Gate Bridge

211 Richardson Ave

Stop 12 - Palace of Fine Arts

2101 Lombard St

Stop 13 - Marina / Cow Hollow

1599 Lombard St

Stop 14 - Lombard Street

Embarcadero

Stop 15 - Pier 39

Points of interest passed by on this route

Alcatraz Island

Big Bus Tours

The Embarcadero

Haight-Ashbury

Union Square

Civic Center

Fisherman’s Wharf

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Bridge

Chinatown

Madame Tussauds

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Recorded commentary available in English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, Mandarin, Korean, Cantonese and Italian
  • To receive your Alcatraz Island Ticket you must check into the Big Bus office (on voucher) one day prior to the Alcatraz Tour date or before 9am on the date of your Alcatraz Tour.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
  • Photo ID is required.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Please note that the date you have selected is the date for your Alcatraz Tour.
  • Your tour time will be assigned 10 days in advance of the tour date. Once a time is assigned we are not able to make any changes, please note your timed entry will be allocated by Alcatraz this will not be able to be personally selected

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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    Q:How do I arrange my Alcatraz visit during the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo?

    A:After booking, our team will get in touch with you to confirm your preferred Alcatraz tour date and time. This must be confirmed at least 10 days in advance of your visit.

    Mar 2021

    Q:Where does the Alcatraz portion of the tour depart from?

    A:The Alcatraz ferry departs from Pier 33. Note: you MUST redeem your ticket at the Big Bus Welcome Center (99 Jefferson Street) at 9 am on the date of your Alcatraz visit.

    Mar 2021

    Q:Can I select my preferred time to visit Alcatraz?

    A:Due to limited availability, we cannot guarantee any scheduling requests for Alcatraz departure times. You may add your preference in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout, but again we cannot guarantee any specific time.

    Mar 2021

    Q:Do I need ID for the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo?

    A:Yes - ID is required for all guests over the age of 18 who are visiting Alcatraz.

    Mar 2021

    Q:Can I change my Alcatraz tour date/time once it has been confirmed?

    A:Unfortunately, no. Alcatraz bookings cannot be changed once a time has been allocated and confirmed.

    Mar 2021

    Q:How often does a bus arrive at each stop during the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo?

    A:A bus arrives approximately every 30 minutes.

    Mar 2021

    Q:Do I have to go to a central location to redeem my ticket for the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off and Alcatraz Combo?

    A:For the Hop-On-Hop-Off day tour, you can simply show a printed or electronic version of your ticket at any of the stops to board the bus.

    Mar 2021

    Q:What time is the last bus on the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo?

    A:The last bus departs Stop #1 - San Francisco Visitor Center at 5:00 pm.

    Mar 2021

    Q:How will I know which stop(s) to use during the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo?

    A:Our live guides and pre-recorded commentary will communicate upcoming stops. You can also download our free App for more information on routes and times, and what to see and do at each stop location.

    Mar 2021

    Q:Is the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo wheelchair accessible?

    A:Yes, we operate wheelchair-accessible vehicles with lifts that can accommodate up to 650 pounds however, not all vehicles are equipped. If you require an accessible vehicle, please let us know in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout.

    Mar 2021

    Traveler Photos

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    Traveler Tips

    Great trip round SF on open top bus (though cold, bring jacket even if sunny) especially as we were only there 2 days so got to see all the sights, go over Golden Gate Bridge etc.
    The lines are very long so be prepar d to wait.
    Combo is okay but not to do on the same day.
    Reviews
    4.0
    440 reviews
    Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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    Reviews by Viator travelers.
    Showing 1-10 of 440 reviews
    A fun time.
    Chuck_B, Jan 2023
    Went on the night tour which was a great time. The views and lights were fantastic. The driver was great. Just a fun time.
    It’s worth it!
    Erron_W, Oct 2022
    Great tour of the city of San Francisco. I recommend it for tourist. It has multiple stops for you to get off and get on another.
    Best way to see San Francisco
    Steven_B, Oct 2022
    The big bus and Alcatraz were both great. I loved getting right to the top of the bus for the best view and the audio tour was awesome.
    Loved the Alcatraz/Hop on hop off tour
    Paula_H, Aug 2022
    The hop on hop off bus was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We were able to see so many of the highlights of the city with uninstructed views from the top of the bus. It was a very interesting tour and so much fun!! Will definitely recommend this tour to any friends heading to San Francisco!
    Terrible experience
    William_N, Jul 2022
    I will never use Viator again - the entire experience was terrible. I highly recommend that you do not purchase tickets from VIATOR. It was a nightmare for me
    No Covid policy. Just take the damn tour!
    Dona_W, Jul 2022
    We tested positive for Covid the day before the tour and did the responsible thing by isolating rather than risking the health of others. When I made notification and asked to reschedule I was told that was not an option. I responded by asking if there was a Covid policy and received no reply.
    Big Bus
    Cynthia_W, Jul 2022
    The history was great. Enjoyed Alcatraz and the bus ride.The weather was freezing and windy. But it was a enjoyable day
    Bus and Alcatraz tour
    joel_h, May 2022
    Had a great day on the bus going round San Francisco, weather was lovely and the tour gives you lots of info on the areas your driving through (could not have walked and seen half the things we did) over the Golden gates bridge was amazing and windy lol, got the bus at 10am at Union Square, then on to Alcatraz later after we did lunch our boat was at 3:20, walked around listening to a recording on a phone about the place listening to inmates and guards that stayed there, it’s an eeary place with lots of history around it definitely somewhere you need to visit in San Fran.
    Great bus, average Alcatraz tour
    Suzanne_D, May 2022
    Touring San Francisco via the Hop On Hop Off bus was great - went for 3.5hrs so be prepared if you need to be somewhere afterwards! The Alcatraz tour was underwhelming - you and approx 200+ of your new best friends catch the ferry over to the island then battle it out to see the exhibits as one large group. There is an app to download to your phone to tune into the audio exhibits and they remind you constantly to do this - however you need your own headphones! As it turns out the app doesn't work as the staff informed us once we got into the jail, and they hand out individual audiopods - you listen to it out loud so there are 200 odd audio players going at once... and to us it was painful to listen to the narration. There are rare visual boards to read (our preference over audio) so we feel we missed out on a lot of information but that's our choice I guess. Overall, it had great potential, but the crowds and rush to get back before last ferry, and the fact you can't choose what time to do your tour really works against it.
    Fun, safe, scenic day
    Julie_L, Apr 2022
    Alcatraz was the highlight of the day! The bus ride was great also, friendly safe drivers. But since we couldnt pick our Alcatraz tour time (at 1100), by the time we returned to the wharf & had lunch, we only had about 3.5 hours to do the entire bus route which was not very much time.
    Meh
    Eric_B, Aug 2021
    The bus was very very dirty. The audio jacks didn’t work well. You had to continually play with the input probably from overuse. Also the ear buds were too large for my children. Beautiful day. Sites were nice. Experience was meh
    5 stars 🌟
    Sherlyn_J, Jul 2021
    Beautiful experience touring San Francisco on the Big Bus. China Town, Cricket street and many more enjoyable 😀. Strongly suggest.
    Recommended!
    Kerry_G, Jul 2021
    Great way to get around San Francisco. We had some trouble with audio for the recorded info, but when it worked the content was interesting. Great views. Drivers were all professional.
    Cool
    kyle_m, Jul 2021
    It was fun but going through the city wasn’t the best. And was cold but other than that it was fun. I don’t know what else to say but it is making me type more
    Fun
    Lisa, Jul 2021
    Very nice did not make the night tour it didn’t pan out with doing Alcatraz in the tour keep me from the night tour. The morning tour was nice and as always Alcatraz was super cool
    Overpriced
    Antonette_G, Jun 2021
    What did I pay for Lame tour and not enough info on procedures and itineraries, vague responses to questions and timeline
    Alcatraz was cool
    dana_m, Jun 2021
    We couldn’t find the location to redeem and there was no one to return any calls for weeks before arrival at big bus., however via tour people were good
    Poor communication
    Melissa_S, Jun 2021
    Driver did not tell us what channel to be on so we missed part of the audio Tour. It was great once we got on the correct channel on the second bus.
    1 day fun.
    Glenda_F, May 2021
    We were in San Francisco one day and did the Red Bus and Alcatraz tour. So informative and interesting. Got to see much of the city without worrying about driving and parking.
    Alcatraz / big bus tour
    Chris_H, Apr 2021
    I had to cancel my tour after my holiday was cancelled due to covid restrictions but viator have still not refunded my money after numerous attempts to contact them.
    ...

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