A visit to the Franschhoek wineries is an absolute MUST when you’re travelling around Cape Town. It’s an incredible day trip from the city and a lot of fun if you’re with a group. But not to fear if you’re a solo traveller, as you can check the Franschhoek wine tram timetable and explore the wineries, making new friends along the way!
Learn about how the wine tram works, browse the different timetables, learn about your options to get to and from Cape Town and find the best accommodation for your trip.
How the Wine Tram Works
If you’re just hearing about the Franschhoek wine tram, you might not know how it works (I was certainly confused when I first heard about it!).
Essentially, it’s a hop-on, hop-off experience where you can ride the tram in between different wineries to make a full day of it. You can choose to stay as long as you’d like at each winery and typically you can see 3-4 throughout the course of the day!
There are 5 lines to choose from. Each line showcases different wine estates so the choice is entirely yours!
The lines depart between a range of times each day and if you’re not sure which line to go with, simply choose one with a starting time that works best for you. All of the wineries are stunning so you can’t go wrong.
It’s also important to note that there are bus options which are similar to the tram. It’s a similar experience but if you want the photo opt with the tram, make sure the ticket you purchase is specified as a ‘tram ticket’!
Why Trust Me?
Hey – I’m Amy, a Canadian travel content creator who’s spent 7+ months living and working from Cape Town! I’ve explored a lot of the local area and got to experience the Franschhoek wine tram last December with a group of friends.
It’s such a memorable experience in the Western Cape that I highly recommend doing if you love good wine!
How Much Does the Wine Tram Cost?
*please note that pricing is subject to change and this was the price at the time of writing this post!
Adults – R300Â PP (~$17 USD).
Wine tasting fees are not included in the price of your wine tram ticket. Make sure to allocate around R60 – R260Â per winery to cover the wine and possibly food!
Franschhoek Wine Tram Timetable: Blue Line
Timetables sometimes change so double check the times here when booking!
The start and end times are typically the important part of. the timetable to look at. I’d recommend giving yourself the entire day to enjoy your time in Franschhoek and make the most of the experience.
This is the Blue Line schedule!
Franschhoek Wine Tram Timetable: Navy Line
I did the Navy Line when I experienced the wine tram and visited Allée Bleue, Bartinney, Le Pommier, Boschendal and Vrede en Lust! It felt a little bit rushed going to this many wine estates so if I were to go again, I would only do 3-4.
Franschhoek Wine Tram Timetable: Orange Line
You’ll notice that some of the timetables overlap with the wine estates. This is great if you have a few specific wineries in mind because you have some options to choose from!
Franschhoek Wine Tram Timetable: Pink Line
I don’t think I’ve been to any of the wine estates from the Pink Line, however, I’ve heard great things and would consider taking that line next time!
Franschhoek Wine Tram Timetable: Red Line
And finally, we have the Red Line!
Getting to the Wine Tram from Cape Town
If you’re planning to do the wine tram yourself, you have a few transportation options from Cape Town.
Planning to stay overnight in Franschooek or at one of the wineries? You can either drive yourself or take an Uber/Bolt to get there! This is probably the fastest and most convenient option.
Travelling on a budget and coming back the same night to Cape Town? Get your wine tram ticket PLUS transportation to and from Cape Town for less than $50 USD here.
Best Franschhoek Wine Tram Experience
If you’re staying in Cape Town, I highly recommend booking a tour that includes the fee of the wine tram and your transportation both ways. I booked this tour through GetYourGuide and it was definitely worth it!
What’s Included?
- Transfer from Cape Town to Franschhoek Valley
- Entrance to the Franschhoek tram
- Live guided commentary on the tram/open air tram buses
You also get a small wine tasting when you first get on the tram to kick off your experience which was nice!
Where to Stay in Franschhoek
When the wine tasting is all said and done, you might plan to spend the night around Franschhoek.
Here are some great accommodation options:
- Chapter House Boutique Hotel – This stunning hotel is cozy and perfect for a short getaway if you’re on a budget! Plus you can’t go wrong with the poolside views.
- Akademie Street Boutique Hotel – After a luxury escape? This boutique hotel has 9 rooms, all with incredible views and thoughtfully decorated!
- Mont Rochelle – Wake up in winery heaven! You won’t want to leave this stunning hotel with all amenities you could ever need.
- La Petit Ferme – Another incredible spot with fantastic sunset views! It’s the perfect spot to completely unwind and make the most of your trip to Franschhoek.
Other Cape Town Blogs You Might Find Helpful
- 1 Day in Cape Town: The Perfect Layover Itinerary
- Cape Town Weather in December: Plan the Ultimate Trip to Cape Town!
- South Africa Safety Tips for Travellers
- 25 Unique Activities in Cape Town for Couples: Amazing Can’t Miss Spots!
- Cape Town in October: The Best Guide for Weather, Travel Tips & More!
- 7 Stellenbosch Wineries and Vineyards to Visit
It’s Time to Visit the Franschhoek Wineries!
Now you should be ready to experience the best of the Franschhoek wineries! Plan ahead and aim for a sunny day in the summer for the optimal trip away.
I’ll be back shortly with a new blog but in the meantime, you can follow my adventures as a full-time traveller and digital nomad on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube!
Cheers,
Amy xx
P.S. Like this post or found it helpful? Consider buying me a coffee or share it with a friend 👇ðŸ¼
