The Wine Tram in Franschhoek: The Perfect Day Trip From Cape Town

The Wine Tram in Franschhoek is the perfect day trip from Cape Town for all wine lovers and foodies. Trust me, if you love good food, great wine, and stunning views of mountains and vineyards, this one’s for you.

Franschhoek is one of South Africa’s most iconic wine regions, just about 50 minutes from Cape Town, and honestly, it’s a must.

Some standout grapes here are chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, and South Africa’s signature: pinotage (a cross between pinot noir and hermitage).

You could easily spend the whole day hopping between vineyards, tasting your way through world-class wines. And the best part? The Wine Tram takes care of all the transport, so you can just relax and enjoy the ride (and the wine).

I loved all the stops, especially the smaller, more off-the-radar wineries. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—logistics, tips, and how to make the most of your Wine Tram day trip from Cape Town.

What is the Franschhoek Wine Tram?

Imagine a hop-on hop-off bus—but make it a tram cruising through the wine country. That’s the Franschhoek Wine Tram. It takes you from winery to winery, and you get to choose where to hop off and how long to stay. Zero stress.

It’s honestly such a smart way to explore the area, no need to worry about transport, no one has to be the designated driver, and you don’t have to book a private driver either.

The tram itself is a mix between a tram and a bus. Since the tram runs on rails, it only stops at wineries along the track, but the combination with the buses means you’ll get to visit many more wineries in the area.

The logistics around the wine tram are amazing!

How to get to Franschhoek?

The best thing is to get an Uber or Bolt (the local taxi app in South Africa) to Franschhoek. The drive is about an hour, and there are different departure stations where you get on the tram.

Keep in mind that Bolt is a lot cheaper than Uber, and I found it hard to get a taxi to Franschhoek, probably because the price in the app was too low. It’s better to take an Uber for longer rides.

We aimed to be in Franschhoek by 10:30 AM, so we ordered an Uber about an hour before. The ride from our hotel (near the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town) cost around $50 one way, tip included.

This is not cheap, but to me it’s worth the comfort and doing everything on your own time.

How does the Wine Tram work?

You can buy your tickets directly on winetram.co.za. The first thing you’ll need to decide is which line to take. Each route has a colour and stops at different wineries (some wineries are connected to multiple lines).

If you’re into wine and already have certain wineries or wine types in mind, it’s worth doing a bit of research. I looked most of them up on Google to help make a decision. The Wine Tram website also explains each stop quite well.

Some wineries have full restaurants, others just offer light bites or platters, and a few have limited food options. A few places may also need a reservation in advance or if you want to order a picnic basket.

I felt a bit overwhelmed when I saw all the different lines. What helped me was starting with the wineries that looked interesting and then checking which line they were on.

Don’t worry too much about food. Almost every winery has something small to eat, like a tasting platter or wine pairing snacks. There’s plenty to nibble on throughout the day, so I wouldn’t plan a big sit-down lunch.

For example, we started our day at Noble Hill with a beautiful cheese and dip platter paired with amazing wines. Such a good start.

Each stop gives you an hour before the next tram or bus comes by. That might not sound like much, but it works fine for the smaller wineries. They’re used to Wine Tram guests, so service is quick and efficient.

However, you’re not stuck with the one-hour window. You’re welcome to stay longer and just catch the next one an hour after that. Departures are every hour.

To keep your day relaxed, I’d suggest picking four wineries and planning to stay longer at two. It’s a much nicer pace and gives you time to enjoy the experience. The earlier you start, the more wineries you can tackle. The last pick-up is around 3:00 PM.

If you’re taking an Uber, you can stay as long as you want at the final winery and let your Uber pick you up from there before driving you back to Cape Town.

How much is the Wine Tram?

Wine Tram tickets are $18 and include a welcome glass of wine to kick things off.

One of the best things about wine tasting in South Africa is how affordable it is compared to other wine regions. Tastings usually cost between $4 and $15, depending on the wines (usually six tasting glasses).

Food is separate, but believe me when I say it’s affordable, from charcuterie boards to oysters to steaks.

Most wineries also offer delicious food at really reasonable prices. You can easily enjoy a full day of wine tasting, food, and good vibes visiting 4 wineries for around $100 total. Try doing that in Napa Valley!

What is the best wine tram line?

Choosing a Wine Tram line can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but the best option depends on personal taste. Everyone’s wine preferences are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all route.

I naturally gravitate towards the smaller, more unique wineries or wineries that are women-owned. As a foodie, I also pay attention to the food options that appeal to me.

I would also check for some variety in your choice of wineries; for example, maybe you would like to include an oyster or chocolate pairing. Not all wineries have them, so it’s wise to do some research beforehand.

If you’re more into the well-known or bigger wineries, just look for a line that includes them. Or you could take my friend’s approach—he didn’t overthink it at all and just picked a colour at random (true story).

Any wine wisdom I need to know?

There’s a lot to learn about wine, but here are some key tips if you’re just getting started:

• Be open to trying new wines and grape varieties
• Try to identify different flavors in the wines, such as strawberry, vanilla, citrus, and leather
• Many factors influence how a wine tastes, including weather, soil, oak barrels, maturation, and grape variety
• Start with lighter wines (whites, rosés, and sparkling) before moving to full-bodied whites, then light reds, and finally, full-bodied reds
• Wine pairings are designed to match specific foods that complement and enhance the wine’s flavours
• Try the South African version of champagne, which is called MCC (method cap classique).

Which wineries should you visit in Franschhoek?

I’ve done the Wine Tram twice over the past two years, choosing a different line each time. I also visited a few wineries separately on a tour in Cape Town with a private driver.

These are the ones that stood out to me, but everyone’s taste is different, so I’d recommend doing a bit of research to find what suits you best.

1. Noble Hill

Noble Hill is one of the smaller wineries that I loved! The interior is beautiful, there is a great outside seating area and a Spanish restaurant (open for lunch). The tastings are also very affordable, and the cheese platter and dip we ordered were delicious!

Located in the historic Simonsberg mountains, this vineyard has been part of a region known for producing some of South Africa’s finest wines for over 300 years. They follow a regenerative organic farming approach and focus on creating fresh, delicate wines with a mineral edge.

A tasting ranges from R80 – R120 ($4 – $7) for 3 – 5 wines, and the wines are delicious and crisp.

2. Atlas Swift

Atlas Swift is one of the smaller wineries in Franschhoek. They offer a beautiful outdoor seating area and outstanding charcuterie boards. In addition to wine tastings, they serve a delightful tea tasting, perfect if you need a break from wine sipping.

Atlas Swift produces nine different wines across five regions in South Africa. They excel at bringing out each region’s unique character, specializing in Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their winemaking style blends Old World traditions with a light touch because minimal intervention in the cellar lets the grapes speak for themselves.

Wine tastings cost R160–R190 ($9–$10), and they offer a delectable charcuterie platter featuring cheeses, dips, fruits, and meats. The tea tasting is R110 ($6).

3. Boschendal Wine Estate

Boschendal is one of the bigger wineries in Franschhoek, but it doesn’t take away from the experience. I suggest staying at least 2 hours at this winery, so you can do a wine tasting, have a small platter and walk around the estate.

You can even stay overnight at Boschendal and enjoy all the amazing activities and dine at their restaurants. The wine-tasting menu is great, offering a range of wine flights featuring their award-winning wines. Their signature Cap Classique sparkling wines, which they’ve been producing for over 40 years, are particularly noteworthy.

Wine tastings range from R120-R250 ($7-$14), including options like the MCC (Method Cap Classique, the South African version of champagne) tasting flight and premium red wine selection. The estate also offers excellent food pairings and picnic experiences among their beautiful gardens.

They also offer cheese, chocolate, oysters and charcuterie pairings ranging from R200 – R400 ($10 – $20). I suggest an oyster tasting and a chocolate tasting.

4. Leopard’s Leap

I visited Leopards’ Leap last year, and I enjoyed their sparkling rose wine! They also have a great rotisserie lunch and a beautiful outdoor area where you can sit next to the vineyard.

Leopard’s Leap is a widely recognised South African wine brand with a presence in over 40 countries. The winery showcases how their wines can be part of an everyday lifestyle, making wine appreciation accessible to everyone. They have a tasting room that offers various wine flights and food pairings, and the rotisserie-focused restaurant serves delicious meals.

Wine tastings start from R60 ($3) for a selection of six wines. The wine and food pairing experiences are great, offering a great introduction to South African wines.

I bought a case of their delicious sparkling rose wine to bring home!

5. Dieu Donne

Dieu Donne is the first winery I visited on the wine tram two years ago, and I still remember the view from the outside seating area. There’s also a lovely area if you ever feel like holding your wedding in Franschhoek.

Dieu Donné sits up high on the mountainside, and trust me, the views are unreal! The location is perfect for wine-making; the cooler climate and granite soil give their wines a unique character.

It’s one of those spots where you’ll want to grab a glass, find a seat outside, and just take in those incredible mountain views.

A tasting ranges from R110 – R160 ($6 – $8), and there are pairings with chocolates or how about a brownie and MCC tasting?

A perfect day trip from Cape Town

The Wine Tram is an absolute must for a perfect day trip from Cape Town. For food and wine lovers like me, it’s paradise. I’ve done a self-guided wine tour in Napa Valley. While wonderful, it costs triple for tastings and requires a driver.

I’m already dreaming of returning to Cape Town to explore more wineries and revisit my favourites for longer stays. Many wineries have beautiful restaurants that are perfect for dinner, though they do require reservations, which isn’t ideal if you prefer spontaneous plans.

Pros and cons about the Wine Tram

I hope this guide has given you helpful information about the Wine Tram in Franschhoek and that you’ll get to experience it on your next visit to Cape Town.

If I could choose, I would stay overnight in Franschhoek to explore more wineries or simply relax at a beautiful accommodation by the pool, surrounded by vineyards and mountains.

As always, I’m here if you have any questions, and I’d love to hear about your experience!