When getting Alcatraz tickets through the Blue and Gold Fleet website you can get them with or without an audio tour, but when I looked at the Alcatraz National Park website it talks about a 35 minute recorded audio tour that can be rented inside the cellhouse. Are both of these audio tours the same? If not, what is the difference?

I haven't heard of there being a difference between the audio tours. There is only one that I'm aware of. Perhaps they offer it at the cellhouse for those who decide at the last minute to go with the audio tour? I HIGHLY recommend the audio tour. It not only talks you through what you are seeing at your own pace, but even has the voices of actual former inmates describing their experiences. Not to be missed! When you book your tickets, just get the audio tour. I truly think the ones offered at the cellhouse are for those who feel they "missed out" at the first opportunity! And, I'm not sure, but you don't want them to run out! For a great tour, and only $16, it's worth it, just go for it! (I live in SF and am going to the Rock again in a few weeks! It's a blast!) Have fun!

Since you have been to Alcatraz several times, do you recommend the evening or daytime tour?

I totally agree, the audio tour is a must. It really gives you a true feeling for what it was like inside the prison. When you enter the dining hall you can even hear the silveware rattling. I only went during the day so I can't comment on the evening tour.

The audio narration really "made" our visit as it makes the prison come alive with the voices of guards and prisoners, the doors slamming shut, and so forth. You get a good sense of like on The Rock. We took the last tour of the day, 7pm, because the late-day light going out there was good for photographs. I made reservations on-line before our trip.

While the evening tour can be fun - the view of the city from Alcatraz is beautiful, you don't really have time to explore on your own very much if you want to after the audio tour. There are hiking trails, etc. If you take an earlier ferry you can decide to stay longer - there is no time frame on your return trip you just have to be on the last boat back.

$16? I hope it's the tour AND the audio?

Yes, $16 is the tour and the audio. An absolute BARGAIN!!!!!!!!!! It's a self guided tour and you can go at your own pace, but the audio will guide you along. As far as the day or night tours....sorry, I've only done the day tours. I hear the night tours are fun....scary. But I prefer the day tours, only because the view from Alcatraz is absolutely AMAZING!!!! And being "summer", means the fog will probably be thick at night, and you won't have much of a view. Either way, you can't go wrong. It's an incredible tour, and I'm simply amazed that it's only $16! Just the ferry ride over the bay with the scenic view is worth the $16! Don't forget your camera!!! Have fun!

Yes, they are the same tour. It just gives you a second chance to buy it if you didn't sign up for it initially. As everyone says, it is excellent!

We did the night tour and whilst it was atmospheric we only had time to do the audio tour - don't do Alcatraz without it, we saw so many people wondering around without a clue of what they were looking at.

sorry, posted to soon and then my laptop froze

I wish we'd done the day tour where there is no time constraint and we could have explored the grounds

I'm getting the sense that it's a necessity to pre-book in the summer and the earlier the tour, the less crowded. True? We'll be 4 or 5 of us.

ABSOLUTELY! Book your tickets as soon as you can confirm a day that you want to go. You can book a time for leaving SF to go to Alcatraz, but then, you are not required to go back on a specific boat. You can stay as long as you want, explore the grounds, bring a picnic lunch with you....the views (hoping there won't be much fog) are incredible!

But, with summer, they do sell out very quickly. I highly recommend ordering them on line or calling to order tickets. I'm going friday with out of town guests, and they even sent my tickets to me, so I don't have to wait at will call.

It's a fabulous tour! Have fun!!!!
Andiamo