Alcatraz tickets for kids

[Teds77]

Am about to book to book Alcatraz tickets and wonder if anyone knows if I actually have to buy a 'free' ticket for under 5s? Not planning to take the kids in but we'll take them on the boat trip and at least a couple of the grown ups can do the proper look around.

Id be inclined to get them. They scan your tickets at least twice, and doubt they'd let anyone on board without a ticket of some sort.

Having said that though, if you aren't going to take them on the tour, there is no point at all in them going on the boat. It's a 10 minute ferry and there is nothing over there at all aside from the tour. You'd literally be waiting for 2 hours with nothing to do / nowhere to go for the others in your group to finish. You'd be better off taking them on a scenic cruise / ferry to Sausalito instead.

Didn't really get Alcatraz.Too touristy. It is not Robben Island with recent history we all know about. Sausalito was more fun and you can get a taxi back over the Bridge. In fact the cable car museum is better for children.

I also wouldn't take them at all if you don't intend to take them in, there is nothing else to see or do on Alcatraz Island except the prison, not even a snack bar or cafe. They will be bored stiff!