From Cape Town: Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-on Hop-off
About This Experience
The Franschhoek Wine Tram is the single most recognisable way to see the Cape Winelands, and this is the version that includes the return coach transfer from Cape Town — so you do not need a car or a designated driver at either end.
The tram itself is a hop-on hop-off circuit combining restored vintage trams with open-sided tram buses. You pick a coloured line, ride out through the vineyards below the Franschhoek mountains, and get off at whichever estates appeal. Most guests manage four or five of the eight stops on a line in a day.
What makes it different from a guided minibus tour is control: you decide how long to spend at each farm, whether to sit down for a long lunch or keep moving, and which cellar tours to take. The trade-off is that it is self-directed — nobody is shepherding you between tastings.
One thing to budget for: the ticket covers the transfer and unlimited tram travel for the day, but tastings are paid at each estate. Expect roughly R60 to R260 per tasting depending on the farm, plus whatever you spend on lunch.
Highlights
- Return transfer from Cape Town in a luxury coach with free Wi-Fi
- Full-day hop-on hop-off ticket across the tram and open-air tram bus network
- Stop at whichever wine estates appeal — typically four or five in a day
- Vintage trams and open-sided buses through the Franschhoek Valley vineyards
- Set your own pace, from a quick tasting to a long vineyard lunch
What's Included
- ✓ Round-trip coach transfer from Cape Town
- ✓ Full-day hop-on hop-off tram and tram bus ticket
- ✓ Live guided commentary on board
- ✓ Flexible stops — explore each estate at your own pace
Not Included
- Wine tasting fees at the estates (roughly R60–R260 per person, per farm)
- Food, lunch and snacks
- Optional cellar tours
- Gratuities
What to Bring
- A card or cash in rand for tasting fees and lunch
- Sunscreen and a hat — the tram buses are open-sided
- A light jacket for the valley in the late afternoon
Good to Know & Caveats
- Tasting fees are NOT included. Each estate charges separately, typically R60–R260 per person, so budget for this on top of the ticket price.
- You can realistically visit four or five of the eight estates on a line in one day.
- Which tram routes run depends on the day of the week, so the estates available vary.
- Tickets are valid only on the date booked — they cannot be moved to another day.
- Pickup is from pre-defined points around the city, not from every hotel door.
Not Suitable For
- Travellers wanting a fully guided tour with a host at every stop
- Anyone who would rather have all tasting fees included up front
Meeting Point
Pickup from a set of pre-defined points around central Cape Town, confirmed with the operator after booking; the coach transfers you to Franschhoek and back.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.6/5 by 2,408 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
This was a wonderful way to see the beautiful wine lands - can’t recommend it enough
— Page, August
It was very good. However, the explanation of the bus vs. train changes needs to be clear.
— Fernanda Aparecida, August
The tour was great! Even though it was a cloudy day, we were able to visit 3 wineries. It is important to understand the dynamics of the tour. I think more than 4 wineries is way too rushed. Choose in advance which ones you want to visit, where you want to stop for lunch, and what types of tastings you want to do.
— Rubia, August
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Franschhoek Wine Tram cost per person?
This ticket covers the return transfer from Cape Town and unlimited tram travel for the day. Tastings are extra and paid at each estate — usually R60 to R260 per person per farm — so a realistic day costs the ticket plus roughly R200–R600 in tastings and lunch.
How does the Franschhoek Wine Tram actually work?
It is a hop-on hop-off circuit. You choose a coloured line, then ride between wine estates on a mix of vintage trams and open-sided tram buses, getting off wherever you like and rejoining the next service. Trams run on a set loop, so you never need to book individual legs.
How many wine estates can I visit in a day?
Most guests manage four or five of the eight estates on a line. Trying for more usually means rushing the tastings, since each stop needs time for the tasting itself plus waiting for the next tram.
Do I need to book tastings at each estate?
Generally no — you pay at the farm when you arrive. Popular estates can get busy at weekends and over the December holidays, so arriving earlier in the day gives you more choice.
Which tram line is best?
It depends on the day you travel, because the routes that run vary. The lines differ mainly in the mix of large, well-known estates versus smaller boutique farms — ask the guide on the transfer which line suits what you want to drink.
