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. 

The nemo operations team are on hand to help you plan this epic day and provide recommendations. There are plenty of incredible vineyards to choose from along the way – some of our favourites include Babylonstoren and Bacco.

How Does it Work?

You will receive the Franschhoek Wine Tram booking details in your Vamoos app before your departure. On the day of the experience, you’ll need to collect your physical tickets from the ticketing office using the provided booking reference. 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.

We love the Orange line for its flexibility – you can choose to start on either the tram or the bus, and there are lots of lovely options for lunch along the way. You can start at either Plaisir or Vrede en Lust as your first stop on the tram (we would recommend Vrede en Lust!). From here, you can then visit Babylonstoren or Bacco for lunch, before taking the bus and tram route back the way you came to Boschendal, at the end of the 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 you start, the more wineries you can visit, but we recommend picking 3-4 on each line and allowing time for lunch at one of them! 

Each winery offers something different, including 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 – Rickety Bridge & Chamonix

Navy Line – Boschendal & Vrede en Lust 

Blue Line – Grande Provence & Maison 

Red Line – Haute Cabrière & Mont Rochelle

Wine tastings are purchased and arranged directly at each wine estate, and the majority don’t require pre-booking. We always recommend pre-booking lunch at one of the stops, and our operations team is on hand to assist if you have any questions. Some restaurants at wineries only open on certain days and may require a deposit, which is worth bearing in mind.