The Franschhoek Wine Tram: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Franschhoek has been producing exceptional wine for over 300 years, and the best way to experience that legacy is from the wooden bench of a vintage tram, rolling between estates at a relaxed 32 kilometres per hour. The Franschhoek Wine Tram is one of the Winelands’ most popular experiences, and for good reason.
This guide covers how it works, which route to choose, how long to plan for, and what we’ve learned from years of hosting guests in the valley.
What Is the Franschhoek Wine Tram?
The Wine Tram is a hop-on hop-off system of vintage trams and open-air buses that takes visitors from estate to estate through the Franschhoek valley. You choose a colour-coded route, board at your departure terminal, and move through a loop of wine farms at your own pace, spending as long as you like at each stop before hopping back on the next tram.
Tastings, meals, and activities at individual estates are not included in the ticket price. You plan and pay for those directly with each farm. What the ticket gives you is the transport, the narration, and the freedom to move through the valley without a car.
A brief history
The tracks were originally laid in 1904 to carry farmers’ produce to market. Steam locomotives worked the line until diesel took over in the 1970s. By the 1990s, the line had gone quiet. It was revived in 2012 as the Wine Tram. The original single-decker ‘Brill Tram’ was joined in 2017 by double-decker trams — modelled on a 1923 Blackpool design and built entirely in South Africa by DCD Rolling Stock. The double-deckers stand nearly five metres tall and seat 78 passengers on reversible benches, so you can face either direction.
How the Franschhoek Wine Tram Works
The experience is straightforward. Here’s what to expect:
- Arrive at your departure terminal (Franschhoek or Groot Drakenstein, depending on your chosen route).
- Start the day with a coffee and a beignet — the tram’s signature French pastry — while waiting for your departure.
- Board your tram and let the narrated journey begin. The guide covers the history of Franschhoek and the wine farms as you move through the valley.
- Hop off at any estate that catches your interest. Book your own tastings, a cellar tour, or lunch — these are organised and paid directly with each farm.
- Â A tram or tram-bus picks you up from each stop every hour, so you can move on when you’re ready.
- Â Wine you purchase at the estates can be handed to tram staff for safekeeping and collected at the end of the day.
Tickets can be bought online in advance (recommended in peak season) or at the terminal on the day of your visit.
The essentials
Departures: Between 08:45 and 13:00 (time varies by line and terminal) | Suggested stops: 3–4 estates if you start early | Tastings and food: Not included; settled directly with each estate | Children: Welcome; under-3s travel free | Wine: Can be stored by tram staff and collected at day’s end
The Five Franschhoek Wine Tram Routes at a Glance
There are five colour-coded lines, each covering a different loop of estates. Two lines depart from the Franschhoek Terminal (corner of Main Road and Cabriere Street), and two from the Groot Drakenstein Terminal (corner of the R310 and R45). The Orange Line departs from Groot Drakenstein.
Each line takes you through a curated section of the valley, so the right choice depends on which estates you want to visit and where you’d like to have lunch.
| Route | Departs From | Notable Estates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | Franschhoek Terminal | Grande Provence, Rickety Bridge, Maison, Holden Manz, La Bri, Pasarene | Classic Franschhoek estates |
| Pink | Franschhoek Terminal | Pigcasso, Chamonix, Leopards Leap, Dieu Donne, Atlas Swift, Rickety Bridge | Art lovers and variety |
| Red | Franschhoek Terminal | Mont Rochelle, Haute Cabriere, Lynx, Eikehof, Franschhoek Cellars | Scenic valley views and MCC sparkling wines |
| Navy | Groot Drakenstein Terminal | Boschendal, Allee Bleue, Bartinney, Plaisir, Vrede en Lust, Zorgvliet | Big estates and a long lunch |
| Orange | Groot Drakenstein Terminal | Babylonstoren, Boschendal, Plaisir, Vrede en Lust, Bacco | Gardens, scenery, and first-time visitors |
How Long Does a Franschhoek Wine Tram Day Take?
Most guests spend a full day on the tram. If you join one of the earlier departures (around 08:45 or 09:00), three to four estate stops gives you a well-paced day with time to sit, eat, and enjoy a proper tasting at each one. A later start is possible, but it limits the number of stops you can comfortably fit in before the last pickups of the day.
The tram moves slowly through the valley with a top speed of 32 km/h. The journey between stops is part of the experience, particularly on the double-decker, where the views across the vineyards are unobstructed.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Day
“For a first visit to Franschhoek, the Orange Line covers two of the valley’s most highly rated experiences in a single day. Babylonstoren alone is worth the trip — the gardens, the tasting room, and the farm stall can easily fill a few hours. If covering more ground across the classic Franschhoek producers matters more, the Blue Line offers strong variety across its estate stops.”Â
A few practical tips before you go:
- Book ahead. Walk-up tickets are available, but the tram fills up on weekends and during peak season (December through February, and the school holidays in April and July).
- Decide your priorities before you choose a line. If lunch at a great restaurant matters most, the Navy Line and Orange Line include Boschendal, which has multiple dining options. If you want to cover more ground across the classic valley estates, the Blue Line offers strong variety.
- Check the Totebag charity initiative at the terminal. It offers wine discounts at participating estates and supports a local cause.
- Wear layers. The open-air buses are beautiful but exposed — mornings can be cool in the valley even in summer.
- The tram is family-friendly. Children travel free under three years old, and the hop-on hop-off format means you can cut the day short if little ones flag.
Where to Stay Near the Franschhoek Wine Tram TerminalÂ
All three of our Franschhoek properties are within walking distance of the Main Road terminal, which means no car, no parking, and no logistics on the morning of your tram day. Which one suits you depends on who you’re travelling with.
Pink Door Franschhoek — for Families and Groups
Pink Door Franschhoek is the strongest option for guests travelling as a family or a group of friends. With three en-suite bedrooms and generous shared living areas, it offers the privacy of a luxury villa while keeping the Wine Tram terminal, festival venues, and village restaurants within easy reach. Everyone stays in one private house and walks to the tram from there.
Avondrood — for a Smaller, More Personal StayÂ
Avondrood suits guests who prefer a smaller, more personal stay. Within walking distance of the village and the terminal, it works well for couples or solo travellers who want attentive service without the scale of a larger hotel.
La Fontaine — for a Boutique Hotel in the Village
La Fontaine is also within easy walking distance of the terminal and the village. It’s a good fit for guests who want a boutique hotel stay with the freedom to move between the tram, restaurants, and Franschhoek’s shops on foot.
Kim Barends and the team are on the ground across all three properties. If you want a Wine Tram recommendation tailored to the season or your group, ask when you arrive.
Franschhoek Wine Tram: Practical Details
Â
Where to Book
Tickets can be purchased at the Franschhoek Wine Tram website or directly at either terminal on the day. Online booking is recommended to secure your preferred line and departure time, especially in the summer months.
Getting There
- Franschhoek Terminal: Corner of Main Road and Cabriere Street, Franschhoek (Blue, Pink, and Red Lines)
- Â Groot Drakenstein Terminal: Corner of R310 and R45 (Navy and Orange Lines)
When to Go
The tram operates year-round. The summer months (November through March) are the busiest and the most vibrant, with vineyards in full leaf and the valley at its warmest. Autumn (March to May) brings harvest season, cooler temperatures, and beautiful colour in the vines. Winter is quieter, which suits guests who prefer fewer crowds, though some estates adjust their hours.
Accessibility
The Wine Tram team can assist with accessibility needs. Contact them directly before your visit to confirm arrangements for your chosen route.
A day on the Franschhoek Wine Tram is an experience that’s easy to plan around and hard to rush. You get a full circuit of the valley without the logistics of driving between estates. Plan for an early start, three to four stops, and a long lunch somewhere along the route.Â
Our Franschhoek properties are the ideal base. Explore La Fontaine, Avondrood, and Pink Door, and book your stay with the Oyster Collection.
 Frequently asked questions about the Franschhoek Wine Tram
Â
Do wine tastings cost extra on the Franschhoek Wine Tram?Â
Yes. Your ticket covers transport on the tram and tram-bus for the day — nothing else. Tastings, cellar tours, food, and any other activities at the estates are paid directly with each farm. Budget roughly R100–R150 per tasting as a guide, though this varies by estate.
Do I need to book in advance?Â
Online booking is strongly recommended, especially in summer (November through March) and over school holidays. The tram fills up on weekends and during peak season. Walk-up tickets are available at the terminal, but you risk missing your preferred line or departure time.
Which Franschhoek Wine Tram line should I choose?
 It depends on what you want from the day. The Blue Line is a strong all-rounder covering classic Franschhoek estates. The Orange Line is the one to choose if Babylonstoren is on your list — set aside at least two hours there. The Navy Line is best if a long lunch at Boschendal is the priority. Each line visits different estates, so check the route table above before booking.
How long does the Franschhoek Wine Tram take?Â
Plan for a full day. Lines depart between 08:45 and 13:00, and three to four estate stops with an early start gives you a well-paced day. Note that some larger estates — Babylonstoren and Boschendal in particular — can easily absorb two hours on their own. A tram or bus passes each stop every hour, so you set the pace.
Can I do the Franschhoek Wine Tram as a day trip from Cape Town?Â
Yes, and it’s one of the most popular day trips from the city. The drive from Cape Town to Franschhoek is around 75 minutes. Several operators run coach transfers directly to the terminal and back, which means no designated driver and no parking to worry about. If you’re staying in Franschhoek — particularly close to the Main Road terminal — you won’t need transport at all.
Written by The Write Dynamic for The Oyster Collection, combining SEO-informed content strategy with insight and information provided by The Oyster Collection team.