South Africa
The Franschhoek Wine Tram
Franschhoek means "French corner". French Huguenots fleeing persecution were given this valley east of Cape Town in 1688, and the mountains close in around it. Today the easiest way to taste its wine is a hop-on, hop-off tram that lets nobody draw the short straw as driver.
14 November 20266 min read
Picolo Editorial
In short: Franschhoek Wine Tram
The Wine Tram runs five colour-coded lines, each stopping at six to eight wine estates. You pick a line, hop off where you like and catch the next departure on. A ticket costs R370, with tastings of R60 to R260 per estate on top. Book ahead, start early in summer and plan three or four stops. Leeu House, on the main street, is our first choice.
Last checked: November 2026.
How the tram works
The lines are Red, Blue, Pink, Orange and Navy. The tour starts and ends at the terminal on the main street of Franschhoek. From the Groot Drakenstein terminal at the foot of the valley, the Orange and Navy lines can also depart. Depending on the line you travel by tram or by open-air tram-bus. Departures follow a fixed timetable, published on the Wine Tram's website.
What it costs
The hop-on, hop-off ticket is R370 per person, and there are no discounts. Tastings are paid at each estate, usually between R60 and R260, with Cap Classique sparkling wine often at the top of that range. Food is extra. Bottles you buy can be left with the host and collected at the terminal at the end of the day.
How to plan the day
Pick three or four estates. More than that turns lunch into a race.
Start early in summer. Weekends and the December holidays sell out.
Book lunch. Restaurants and food pairings at the estates need reservations.
Check the dates. The tram does not run on 24, 25 and 31 December or 1 January. From mid-May to mid-September only some lines run on weekdays.
Getting there
Franschhoek is about 75 kilometres from Cape Town, roughly an hour by car. There is no train, so hire a car, take a taxi or book a tram package with transfers from the city. Staying in the village means you can walk to the tram in the morning and to dinner at night. See also the best time to visit South Africa.
Picolo picks the hotel for you
Picolo is the hotel guest's best friend. We take on the role of guide and do the work before you book. We look at the hotels in the area, where they stand, what guests say and what is actually there. Then we choose the one hotel that suits this particular trip best. For the Wine Tram the choice fell on Leeu House, because you can walk to the tram and to dinner without a car. Guests rate it 9.6 out of 10 on Hotels.com. For more ideas, see the best hotels in South Africa.
Our first choice in Franschhoek
Leeu House
Leeu House stands on the main street of Franschhoek, in a Cape Dutch house with a garden and pool. With 13 rooms it is the smallest hotel in the Leeu Collection, and breakfast is served in a bright conservatory. The restaurants and galleries of the high street are on the doorstep, and the Wine Tram terminal is a short walk away. After a day on the tram, dinner needs no driver either.
Frequently asked questions about Franschhoek
How does the Franschhoek Wine Tram work?
You choose one of five colour-coded lines, each stopping at six to eight wine estates, and hop on and off where you like, following the timetable. The tour starts and ends at the terminal in the village, and some lines also run from Groot Drakenstein at the foot of the valley.
How much does the Franschhoek Wine Tram cost?
A hop-on, hop-off ticket costs R370 per person, and there are no discounts. Wine tastings are paid separately at each estate, usually between R60 and R260. Food is extra. Book online in advance, especially for weekends and summer.
How many wineries can you visit on the Wine Tram?
Each line stops at six to eight estates, but most visitors manage three or four in a day with time for tastings and lunch. Starting with the first departure of the morning gives you the most time. Plan lunch at one of the estates and book it ahead.
How far is Franschhoek from Cape Town?
Franschhoek is about 75 kilometres east of Cape Town, roughly an hour by car, in the Cape Winelands. There is no train. Hire a car, take a taxi or book a Wine Tram package with transfers from the city. Stellenbosch, the other main wine town, is about 30 minutes away over the Helshoogte Pass.
Sources
Details on lines, prices and dates come from the Franschhoek Wine Tram and its FAQ. The history of the Huguenots and the distance from Cape Town come from Wikipedia. Driving times between the wine towns come from Private Tours Cape Town. Leeu House facts are taken from The Hotel Guru. SkyPixels and South African Tourism took the photographs, via Wikimedia Commons. Hotel photographs are from Hotels.com (Expedia Group). Last checked November 2026.
Cheers from Franschhoek
Picolo Editorial