Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends at the ticket office located at Franschhoek Square in the centre of the Franschhoek Village.

Purple and Orange line passengers (only) may also depart from our ticket office located at the Groot Drakenstein Station.

Do I have to start the tour at the ticket office?

Yes.

How long will I stay at each stop?

The intervals depend on the line you travel on:

  • Red, Blue, Yellow and Green lines: 1-hour intervals
  • Purple and Orange lines: 35-minute intervals
  • Pink and Grey lines: 30-minute intervals

Where can I park my car?

Please make use of the free parking conveniently located at the corner of Dirkie Uys and La Rochelle Streets, within 2 minutes walk of our ticket office.

Purple and Orange line passengers who wish to depart from our Groot Drakenstein ticket office can park their cars at the station located on the corner of the R45 and R310 roads.

Can I join the tour at a wine estate?

All passengers must join the tour at the ticket office.

If I do not want to hop-off at a wine estate in the morning can I go back to that wine estate later?

The service operates in one direction and passengers will only have one opportunity to disembark at each stop.

Is it essential to book in advance?

Yes, it is highly recommended as we have a limited number of tickets available per day.

How does wine tasting and dining work on the tour?

Wine tastings can be purchased at each wine estate directly. Passengers may dine at one of several restaurants on the tour. In order to avoid disappointment, we advise passengers to make lunch reservations at least 24 hours in advance of travel.

Can I arrive late for my scheduled departure?

To be fair to other passengers on the tour, we cannot delay departures for late passengers. Passengers arriving late will need to remain at the ticket office until an alternative arrangement can be made to get them on the service.

Can I bring along my own picnic basket on the tour?

Unfortunately, food or open alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the tour. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the wine estates.

Are pets allowed on the tour?

Unfortunately pets are not permitted on the tour.

What is the average price of wine tastings at the wine estates?

Prices range between R25 and R250. MCC (Methode Cap Classique) tastings are usually more expensive than regular wine tastings.

How long before my scheduled departure time should I check in?

Arriving 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time guarantees a seat otherwise departures may be delayed.

Can I travel on the tram and buses with a wheelchair?

Our safari-style buses and our trams cannot accommodate passengers with wheelchairs.

What happens if it rains?

Both the tram and tram-bus are fairly well protected from the rain but on the rare occasion the service may be cancelled due to weather conditions or mechanical problems without notice in which case full refunds will be issued.

What is your cancellation policy?

7 days +: 100% Refund.
1 – 7 days: 50% Refund.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Less than 24 hours before scheduled departure time: No refund.

Can I change the date or time of my scheduled departure?

Changes are subject to the availability of the requested new date and departure time. We can only make one transfer per ticket and thereafter the cancellation policy applies.

Can you reserve tickets for me?

Unfortunately, we cannot reserve tickets without payment.

Which days are you closed?

The service runs daily except during the Franschhoek Uncorked Festival (3rd weekend of September), 24th December, 25th December, 31st December and 1st January. Between 13 May and 15 September, only certain lines are operated during weekdays.

The following lines are available during winter (13 May – 13 September):

Mondays: Red, Yellow, Blue and Green

Tuesdays: Purple and Orange

Wednesdays: Pink and Grey

Thursdays: Purple and Orange

Fridays: Pink and Grey

Saturdays: Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Purple, Orange, Pink and Grey

Sundays: Red, Yellow, Blue and Green

How much time does the tour take to complete?

Being a hop-on hop-off tour you can complete the tour at your leisure, but plan on at least 3 hours to allow enough time to explore a few of the stops.

Where can I store the wine I purchase while on the tour?

Wine bottles can be left with the conductor and will be available for collection upon your return to the ticket office.

Are discounts available for students, pensioners and non-drinking guests?

No discounts are available at this time.

Will tickets be mailed to my delivery address?

No, tickets will be available for collection from the ticket office on the day of travel.

Are discounts available for functions & groups?

We offer special rates for groups of 20 or more guests. Please see booking tab for more details.

Do you host bachelor/bachelorette parties?

The tour is strictly a wine tasting experience and does not host celebration events such as birthdays or bachelor/bachelorette parties. Passengers should kindly refrain from wearing any offensive clothing or accessories.