This combo package allows you to see all of San Francisco's top sights and attractions. Ride the open-top double-decker; with a 2-day pass, you have the flexibility to explore the city at your own pace. Also included in this package are ferry/admission tickets to Alcatraz Island, once home to an infamous prison, as well as a discounted bike rental option.

Tour the city by open-top, double-decker bus with your 2-day pass
Visit top San Francisco attractions, including the Golden Gate Bridge
Visit the infamous prison island of Alcatraz with your included ticket
Enjoy a discounted bike rental option as part of your package

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
Official Alcatraz ticket, including ferry ride to the island (Value $45.25)

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Start time

Opening hours

3/25/2024 - 3/31/2024
4/1/2024 - 4/7/2024
4/8/2024 - 4/14/2024
4/15/2024 - 4/21/2024
4/22/2024 - 4/28/2024
4/29/2024 - 5/5/2024
5/6/2024 - 5/12/2024
5/13/2024 - 5/19/2024
5/20/2024 - 5/26/2024
5/27/2024 - 6/2/2024
5/27/2024 - 6/2/2024
6/3/2024 - 6/9/2024
6/10/2024 - 6/16/2024
6/17/2024 - 6/23/2024
6/24/2024 - 6/30/2024
7/1/2024 - 7/7/2024
7/8/2024 - 7/14/2024
7/15/2024 - 7/21/2024
7/22/2024 - 7/28/2024
7/29/2024 - 8/4/2024
8/5/2024 - 8/11/2024
8/12/2024 - 8/18/2024
8/19/2024 - 8/25/2024
8/26/2024 - 9/1/2024
9/2/2024 - 9/8/2024
9/9/2024 - 9/15/2024
9/16/2024 - 9/22/2024
9/23/2024 - 9/29/2024
9/30/2024 - 10/6/2024
9/30/2024 - 10/6/2024
10/7/2024 - 10/13/2024
10/14/2024 - 10/20/2024
10/21/2024 - 10/27/2024
10/28/2024 - 11/3/2024
11/4/2024 - 11/10/2024
11/11/2024 - 11/17/2024
11/18/2024 - 11/24/2024
11/25/2024 - 12/1/2024
12/2/2024 - 12/8/2024
12/9/2024 - 12/15/2024
12/16/2024 - 12/22/2024
12/23/2024 - 12/29/2024
12/30/2024 - 1/5/2025
1/6/2025 - 1/12/2025
1/13/2025 - 1/19/2025
1/20/2025 - 1/26/2025
1/27/2025 - 2/2/2025
2/3/2025 - 2/9/2025
2/10/2025 - 2/16/2025
2/17/2025 - 2/23/2025
2/24/2025 - 3/2/2025
3/3/2025 - 3/9/2025
3/10/2025 - 3/16/2025
3/17/2025 - 3/23/2025

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 extensive loop, including Haight-Ahbury, 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

621 Columbus Ave

Clay St (500-598)

Ferry Building

280 Geary St

201 Mason St

90 Fulton St

944 Fell St

1816 Haight St

Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point

211 Richardson Ave

2101 Lombard St

1599 Lombard St

Embarcadero

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
Most travelers can participate
Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
Photo ID is required.
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

Reviews

4.0

522 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 522 reviews

More info needed

Patricia_S, Apr 2024

Hearing about some of the history. Would have liked a lot more information about many of the monuments and buildings that we passed. They were beautiful churches and statues and things that we learn nothing about. Too much cutesy conversation between the people on the audio..

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We appreciate your feedback on our audio narration and will let our operations team know. Thank you for joining us and taking the time to let us know about your experience.

Rain or sun always fun

Luca_Z, Mar 2024

First day weather did not help and we had to travel inside. Second day we could sit on the deck…both days we enjoyed the tour a lot! Best way to get a first understanding of the city!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for the 5-star review and we hope to see you again!

A great tour

Vassoulla_A, Feb 2024

We did the walking tour with Doug through Chinatown which was great. Very knowledgeable with a good sense of humour.

Great way to find your bearings in San Francisco

Mary_F, Feb 2024

In spite of heavy rain we saw lots. Buses came frequently so hopping on and off worked. Commentary on head phones was lively, clear and had interesting asides. The 2 day ticket gives you time to get to lots of places.

Good value for money

Rose_D, Nov 2023

Good value for money, great way to see the city when time is short. A bit windy on the top deck going over the Golden Gate bridge!

Super!!!

Maria_B, Nov 2023

Always a good start exploring the city. I have been doing this for years. Whenev there's a Bigbus on country you visit.Do not hesitate to do it.

A great to see San Francisco and learn some of its history

Carolyn_N, Oct 2023

The walking tour of China town was great, our guide, Doug, was Awesome! The bus was a nice way to get around town and hear the city’s history. We appreciated being able to “hop off” and wander where we wanted to. The APP “usually”made it easy to hop on and rejoin the tour. While waiting for the last bus, the APP showed nothing. The little icon that had helped us all day was gone. Eventually the delayed bus arrived, and got us back. We would have appreciated being kept up to date on the APP. Overall, what a great way to see San Francisco and learn its history!

Frustrating, and time-wasting

Robert_L, Sep 2023

I initially booked the Big Bus and Alcatrtaz combo many months before my visit to San Francisco. I was advised that I wouldn't have my Alcatraz tour date and time confirmed until ten days prior to the tour date. This was a bit annoying as I was planning a two-day San Francisco tour, and the Alcatraz timing would effect my plans. Ten days prior to the tour date I did get a confirmation that my tour would be happening on the requested date, but I wouldn't get a time confirmation until four days beforehand. That was frustrating as I needed to make plans. At the four day point, having not heard anything, I emailed the address provided, and received a response advising my trip was scheduled for 11:30. I needed to go to the Big Bus office the day prior, or the morning of, to collect my tickets, and then make my way down to pier 33 in advance of the 11:30 time. I queued at the Big Bus office for my tickets, no compaints there. I showed my tickets to a ticket handler on pier 33 and was directed to a queue. I spent 30 minutes in that queue as boats were loaded, and when I got to the front was advised I had the wrong tickets, and needed to go and queue at another office where my tickets would be exchanged, and then re-join this queue again. I spent twenty minutes in the other queue in order to exchange my tickets, and then another twenty minutes in the first queue before finally getting onboard the boat to Alctaraz Island. It was pointed out to me that had I booked directly with the Alcatraz website I could have been able to select the tour time and date that I wanted, and wouldn't have had to wait until four days prior, to make my SF tour plans. Alcatraz was brilliant, one of the highlights of my SF trip, but the amount of time-wasting in queues, and not being made aware until four days prior to the trip of my allocated time was frustrating. If I was to do this trip again, I wouldn't buy the Alcatraz ticket via Viator. The Big Bus tour, which I made a lot of use of during the two days was good.

Great tour! San Francisco

Jo_H, Sep 2023

Good sound, good diction, helpful staff at terminal… busses were clean. safe drivers, east to get on and off

A sight seeing trip of all seasons in one day!

Karen_W, Sep 2023

The big bus hop on hop off bus tour is a great way to view all that San Francisco has to offer but be prepared for ever changing weather! We dressed for the sunny climate just outside our hotel but as San Francisco is a city of micro climates we travelled through sun, cloud, fog and ice cold winds. The purpose of the holiday was to visit the Golden Gate Bridge but it was so cold and windy we couldn’t bear to look. Any San Franciscan would apparently advise visitors to wear plenty of layers and be prepared for any weather! The Alcatraz trip was great. So informative and a great look back in history. A short crossing by boat and you have the choice of sitting in or out. Then a short uphill walk to the prison and a useful free audio tour leads you around the main buildings and recreation grounds. The gardens are being brought back to their former splendour and there are many birds to view on the island.

Swarmed by flies but went through the whole tour.

Gary_F, Sep 2023

We saw the conditions the inmates lived in and some of the prisons most notorious residents. We also were informed of the prison escape by three inmates and how they pulled it off.

Some disappointment

Christine_C, Sep 2023

Alcatraz and arrangements were wonderful. Bus not as good. VERY DISAPPOINTED that, for some reason nothing was coming over the earphones so we missed the descriptions of all the areas

A must do when you travel to San Francisco.

Niki_S, Aug 2023

Without a doubt the highlight was the trip to Alcatraz which was incredible. Amazing to spend time on the famous island and great audio tour guide. The hop on/off bus trip was a great way to see the city and decide where you want to spend time. We had a few problems collecting our tickets which took a while to resolve but generally good. Great to cross both bridges as we did the sunset tour too.

Best way of exploring San...

Donald_Y, Aug 2023

Best way of exploring San Francisco. We purchased a 2 day pass. This enabled us to do the whole tour and decide which places we wanted to get off the bus and explore the next day. Make sure you bring something warm because the wind is horrendous going over the Golden Gate bridhe.

Nice combo

Jeroen_N, Aug 2023

The nice sunset tour was a nice additional ride. Although it was freezing cold on top of the bus The tour to Alcatraz was well organized and the site was amazing very impressive. Also the tour to golden gate was nice, a lot of places with didn't see yet

Disappointed in San Francisco

Ginny_D, Jul 2023

Never had the opportunity to hop on or hop off. Breakdown and much waiting Currently awaiting request for refund

Highlights of San Francisco

Dixie_S, Jun 2023

Alcatraz tour. Seeing the highlights of SanFrancisco, and being able to get off the bus at different stops. Staff members were very helpful and friendly. Oscar Lopez was outstanding!

Best Way to see SFO

Beth_N, May 2023

This was a great way to see all the must see spots in the city! Buses came by every 15-20 minutes so it was a really easy way to move around the city without all the walking.

Well worth visiting Alcatraz

Carol_C, May 2023

Hop on hop off bus tour as good as usual having been on Big Bus tours in other cities. Easy to use. The trip to Alcatraz was well organised, easy to find departure points. The audio tour was well worth doing. Big bus tours said we needed masks so we bought some but no-one used masks! so save your money. Well worth a visit, very interesting.

Good tours

Ian_P, May 2023

Very efficient & well organised. Arrived early for the boat to Alcatraz but luckily not a problem. The audio tour around the prison was good & it was always easy to know where you were meant to be in relation to the commentary. Prison itself was a little underwhelming but it’s the sort of place that you feel you need to go to so pleased that I went. Bus tour also good, commentary very good & provided lots of info. Got off a few times around the route & never had to wait long to pick up the next bus

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