Franschhoek Wine Tram from Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off

The Wine Tram That Lets You Skip the Designated Driver Problem

You get round-trip transport from your Cape Town hotel to Franschhoek, access to two hop-on hop-off tram routes, and the freedom to visit as many wineries as you want without driving. One wine tasting is included on the tram, and bottled water keeps you hydrated between stops. The fixed pickup and drop-off times mean you just show up at your hotel in the morning and return in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Franschhoek wine tram hop-on hop-off tour

• Pickup from Cape Town hotels
• Travel to Franschhoek wine region
• Board hop-on hop-off wine tram
• Enjoy one included wine tasting on tram
• Hop off at preferred vineyards
• Explore vineyards and cellar tours
• Have lunch or walk through vineyards
• Hop on tram to continue tour
• Return to Cape Town by tram and transport

The experience

You're standing in Franschhoek's rolling vineyard country, and the tram pulls up right on schedule. No rental car stress, no one watching the clock because they drew the short straw on driving duty. Just you, the vineyards, and the freedom to hop off whenever a winery catches your eye. The tram runs two routes through the valley, and you can jump between them as many times as you want during the day. One wine tasting is already included on the tram itself, so you're not starting from zero.

The whole thing starts with hotel pickup in Cape Town. They collect you in the morning and handle the round-trip drive to Franschhoek, about an hour away. Once you're there, the tram becomes your base. You ride through vineyards dotting the hillsides, and whenever you spot a cellar you want to visit or a lunch spot that looks good, you just get off. Some people spend two hours at one vineyard. Others hit four in a day. There's no itinerary telling you what to do, which sounds simple until you realize how rare that actually is on a group tour.

The tram-bus hybrid system means you're not stuck waiting for the next departure. There's a regular loop, so you can hop back on when you're ready. Bottled water is included, which matters when you're tasting wine in the sun. The whole experience is built around the idea that you know what you want to taste and how long you want to stay, so the tour just gets you there and out of the way. Hotel drop-off happens in the evening, so you're back in Cape Town without having to navigate unfamiliar roads or worry about how much you've had to drink.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off from Cape Town.
• access to the hop-on hop-off wine tram with two routes.
• one wine tasting on the tram.
• bottled water.
• entry and admission to Franschhoek.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (5 to 13 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Shine The Way Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to taste wine without driving or worrying about timing: the tram's flexibility and included transport mean you control the pace while someone else handles the logistics.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 13 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long is the drive from Cape Town to Franschhoek?

Approximately one hour each way.

Can I visit multiple wineries in one day?

Yes. You can hop off at any winery that interests you and hop back on the tram when you're ready to move on. There's no limit to how many you visit.

Is the wine tasting included in the price?

One wine tasting is included on the tram. Additional tastings at individual wineries are at your own cost.

Do I need to book specific wineries in advance?

No. The hop-on hop-off format lets you choose which wineries to visit on the day itself, depending on what interests you.

What if I want to stay longer at one vineyard?

You can stay as long as you like. The tram runs on a regular loop, so you can catch the next one when you're ready.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included, but you can eat at restaurants and cellar venues along the route at your own cost.

What's the difference between the two tram routes?

The two routes cover different sections of the Franschhoek wine valley, giving you options for which wineries and areas to explore.