The Franschhoek Wine Tram: Our Experience with the Orange Route (+ overview of other routes)

If you’re in Cape Town and fancy a day out of the city, the Franschhoek Wine Tram is a must. While the experience is clearly geared towards tourists, it offers a relaxing way to explore a large number of wineries in a short space of time. There are several routes to choose from, but we opted for the Orange Route, visiting six wineries in one day – and we don’t regret it at all!

You can buy your tickets via Get Your Guide or the official website and cost approximately R300 / R400 per person (equivalent to around €15 / €20) and include transport but do not include tastings or meals. Plan your route in advance, book a lunch spot and research which wineries you would like to visit.

What is the Franschhoek Wine Tram?

The Wine Tram is a hop-on, hop-off system that takes you between different wine farms around Franschhoek on a charming tram and bus. You choose a route and then decide which and how many stops you want to get off at. Each route has a selection of wine farms, and you have time to enjoy a tasting, lunch or just take in the beautiful views.

Each route visits unique wine farms where you can sample wine (approx. R60-R150 per tasting), have lunch or just soak up the atmosphere.

The Orange Route: Our Experience

We chose the Orange Route, and it turned out to be a great choice! This route takes you past six fantastic wineries with a mix of well-known and more intimate locations. We started the tour at 08:45 in the morning. They already offer you free wine to taste on the tram, but because of the full day we skipped this (also because of the time of day of course).

We really enjoyed stopping at all six wineries, although we sometimes found it a bit rushed and we had to get back on the tram to the next stop after about 30 to 45 minutes. As a result, some tastings were a bit rushed. However, you can of course decide to skip a stop, which gives you more time and allows you to stay longer at a winery.

Below we share our personal experiences per winery:

1. Boschendal

This historic winery, founded in 1685, is one of the oldest in South Africa. The grounds have an atmospheric appearance with an impressive tree under which you can sit. A quiet place with beautiful surroundings, but there is no view of vast vineyards as is often the case with other wineries. A good place to relax, also if you are traveling with children.

2. Noble Hill

Noble Hill is known for its elegant wines and focus on sustainable production. Although we didn't do a tasting here, we enjoyed a delicious Mexican lunch in their atmospheric garden. The cozy atmosphere and excellent service make this an absolute must!

3. Babylonstoren

A visit to Babylonstoren is an absolute must; also to visit separately from the Wine Tram. This winery offers much more than just wine on an incredibly large site: they make olive oils, have beautiful gardens, offer cellar tours, have two high-quality restaurants, a wine museum and even a spa and hotel. With the wine tram you pay R20 entrance fee (normally R150). The only downside (for us personally) was that the wine tasting took place inside; we would have preferred to sit outside. Still, this is a must-visit place where you can easily wander around for a few hours.

4. Baccó

Baccó exudes Italian atmosphere, both in its surroundings and in its menu. The winery offers stunning views over the valley and has a refined, chic feel. As one of the newer wineries in Franschhoek (started in 2016 and open to the public since 2019), it has quickly become a favourite. This was one of our favourite stops, so definitely recommended!

5. Vrede & Lust

With a history dating back to 1688, Vrede & Lust is one of the oldest wineries in the region. It has been run by two brothers for 35 years and offers a cozy, informal atmosphere. The views of the vast vineyards are beautiful, but if you want to be a little less rushed on your wine tour and have to make choices, you might want to skip this winery.

6. Plaisir

A charming, smaller winery known for its relaxed atmosphere. We bought a lovely bottle of Rosé bubbles here and were helped by a very nice and enthusiastic waitress. A perfect place to end your day.

Overview of All Routes

The Wine Tram offers multiple routes, each with a unique selection of wineries. It takes a bit of work, but Google which wineries appeal to you the most. Here's a general idea of ​​what to expect per route:

1. Blue Route – The Blue Line takes you past some of Franschhoek’s best wine estates, including a mix of prestigious and charming vineyards. This route offers a varied experience with both large and small wine estates.

2. Navy Route – The Navy Line is perfect for those who want to discover both Franschhoek’s icons and charming, small-scale wine estates. It offers a beautiful combination of classic wines and welcoming vineyards.

3. Orange Route – The Orange Line offers a fantastic mix of classic wine estates and regional icons. This route is ideal for those who want to experience the essence of Franschhoek.

4. Pink Route – The Pink Line is the perfect choice for those who want to combine wine with art and culture. It offers a mix of great wine estates and art galleries, and is also a great option for families (with a stop at Pigcasso, the famous pig painter).

5. Red Route – The Red Line offers a varied experience and is perfect for those who want to discover Franschhoek’s larger wine estates. This route is ideal for lovers of top wines and beautiful views.

Practical Tips

• Book in advance! The tram is popular, especially during peak season, so it’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance via the website.

• Start early. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to visit different wineries.

• Eat a snack. The wines are fantastic, but a good lunch will make the day even better. Some wineries offer great food pairings.

• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking more than you think, and some wineries have extensive gardens that are worth exploring.

• Bring a bottle of water. With all that wine tasting, it’s important to stay hydrated.

• Arrange a place to stay in Franschhoek. We recommend booking an overnight stay in Franschhoek so you have an extra day to explore this charming village (and you don’t have to drive back at the end of the day). The next day, why not do the beautiful Uitkyk hike (see our hikes page) and enjoy the culinary delights that Franschhoek is famous for.

Conclusion

The Franschhoek Wine Tram is one of the most fun things to do when visiting the Western Cape. Whether you choose the Orange Route or one of the other options, you are guaranteed a wonderful day of wine, food and beautiful views. Cheers! 🍷

Have you ever done the Wine Tram? Which route was your favourite? Let us know in the comments!