The Franschhoek Wine Tram – Our Top Tips

The Wine Tram is one of our favourite experiences in Franschhoek. The experience gives you the opportunity to hop on and off as you please. You can experience an array of activities on offer, from delightful wine tastings and cellar tours to strolling through the scenic vineyards – it is the best value way to see the region’s top wineries.  

The nemo concierge team are on hand to help plan this epic day for you as well as assist with a lunch reservation, there are plenty of incredible restaurants to choose from along the way. Some of our favourites include Babylonstoren and Bacco.

How Does it Work?

You will be provided with a Franschhoek Wine Tram voucher before your departure. This voucher will provide you with the details you require to collect your physical tickets from the ticketing office. We advise you to arrive around 15 minutes before your set departure. 

There are two different starting points depending on the line you take. Groot Drakenstein Terminal, located on the corner of R310 Main Road & R45. And, The Franschhoek Terminal, which is located on the corner of Main Road and Cabriere Street. 

If your hotel is closer to one than the other, a shuttle is provided between the two starting points. The tour is a combination of tram and tram-bus as not all the wineries are situated next to the railway. 

What Line Options Are Available? 

There are five different colour lines: Orange, Navy, Pink, Red and Blue. They all offer different routes and wineries on each. Our favourite line is the Orange Line, which we will automatically book for you; this can, however, be amended up to one month before departure if there is another line you wish to do.

The Orange Line is great if you wish to make a whole day out of visiting a few different wineries. You will also have a chance to visit Babylonstoren, a beautiful spot for a wander around the grounds, wine tasting and lunch. Alterantively, we recommend heading to Bacco for lunch on the Orange Line.

If you are keen on visiting specific vineyards or enjoying specific wines and activities, we recommend checking out the Official Wine Tram Website for more information on what is available and what suits you’re preferences.  

All Franschhoek Wine Tram lines have 1-hour intervals, so you will have to plan your time at a winery according to the next departure. The service operates in one direction. The earlier the start, the more wineries you will be able to visit but we recommend picking 3-4 on each line and allowing time for lunch at one of those! 

Each winery has different things to offer, from activities, chocolate pairing, gin tasting, garden walks, art galleries, restaurants, delis & shops. It’s worth checking out which activities are included at each winery, to help map out your plan! 

Our Top Picks On Each Line

Orange Line – Babylonstoren & Bacco 

Pink Line – Chamonix & Leopards Leap 

Blue Line – Mont Rochelle & Grande Provence 

Red Line – Haute Cabrière & Maison 

Navy Line – Boschendal & Vrede en Lust 

Wine tastings are purchased and arranged directly at each wine estate, the majority don’t require pre-booking. If you wish to make a lunch reservation, we advise doing this in advance. Our concierge team are happy to secure the reservation. Some restaurants at wineries only open on certain days and may require a deposit, which is worth bearing in mind.