Mike's review
The Wine Tram was one of my favorite things to do from Cape Town. It realistically takes all day. I arranged a car to pick me up at the hotel and take me to the starting point, which is the way I would do it again. Uber can be difficult at the end of the day, especially around Groot Drakenstein, so arrange the return before leaving Cape Town.
There was coffee at the terminal, which mattered because it was cold when we started. The double-decker, open-air tram is very cool, and I enjoyed picking wineries and trying to fit in as many as possible. I managed five, which is a lot. Four leaves a more relaxed day.
From the source
Franschhoek Wine Tram is a hop-on hop-off route through the Cape Winelands, with five current lines connecting about 30 wine-estate destinations. Each line begins at either Franschhoek Terminal or Groot Drakenstein Terminal. Transport alternates between rail trams and open-air tram buses because not every estate sits beside the railway.
Vehicles run at one-hour intervals and each line travels in one direction, so there is one opportunity to get off at each estate. Some large estates take two hours because a farm vehicle carries passengers between the tram stop and the tasting area. Tickets cover transportation. Tastings, food and estate activities are purchased separately.
The optional Cape Town transfer can be added during booking at least 48 hours in advance. Pickup is scheduled 90 minutes to two hours before tram departure, depending on the starting location. The operator warns that finding an Uber back after 17:00 can be difficult. Coffee, cold drinks, pastries and toasted sandwiches are sold at both terminals.
Supporting sources: Legacy import provenance, Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off routes
Plan your visit
Hours
- · Five routes currently depart from either Franschhoek Terminal or Groot Drakenstein Terminal.
- · Vehicles generally call at stops at one-hour intervals.
Admission
- Adult ticket
- R350
- Child age 3-17
- R90
- · Wine tastings, food and estate activities are purchased separately.
When to go
- Time of day: Morning
Features & amenities
What to expect
- Multiple food options
- Indoor + outdoor
Good to know
- Partially accessible
- Kid-friendly
- Safety
- Arrange return transportation in advance; the operator warns that finding an Uber after 17:00 can be difficult.
Tags
Planning Cape Town
The rest of my Cape Town saves, on the city's planning pages.