Explore the Winelands with City Sightseeing’s Cape Explorer and the Franschhoek Wine Tram
In an exciting partnership between City Sightseeing and the Franschhoek Wine Tram, tour operators and travel influencers joined the inaugural trip recently as the Cape Explorer headed out of the city, bound for the winelands, where Shadow Minister of Tourism, James Vos, greeted guests and praised the collaboration as an opportunity for visitors to experience the region in its fullness and authenticity.
The luxury air-conditioned coaches, with wifi, USB charger points and on-board “Red Bus TV” offer a comfortable hop-on journey from their pickup points along the Camps Bay to V&A Waterfront route. Hopping off at the Groot Drakenstein station to board either the wine tram or tram-bus, depending on the stops of the day, guests have the choice of two lines, each visiting nine wine estates. The tram or bus stops at each estate once every hour, so guests can experience their favourites at their leisure, as long as they are back at the station by 4pm to board the Cape Explorer for the homeward journey.
Tickets for this experience cost R470 for adults and R250 for children aged 2 to 11 years old and includes transfers on the Cape Explorer from Cape Town to the Franschhoek Wine Tram, entry tickets onto the tram, and a complimentary wine tasting on board the tram. Tickets do not include wine tastings and food at the various estates.
The first pick-up point is at the Camps Bay station at 08h25 and the last pick-up is at 09h00 at the V&A Waterfront ticket station. The Cape Explorer Franschhoek Wine Tram tours operate three days a week on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Wine farms that travellers get to enjoy include:
- Allée Bleue
- Boschendal
- Zorgvliet
- Plaisir de Merle
- Vrede en Lust
- Noble Hill
- Babylonstoren
- Backsberg
- Glen Carlou
View the timetable for further information on all City Sightseeing Bus routes and schedules.
Note on accessibility:
While the regular City Sightseeing Bus routes and buses are accessible for wheelchair users, the Cape Explorer and Franschhoek Wine Tram are not yet accessible for people using a wheelchair. However, our website is aimed at travellers with varying disabilities, so this is for information purposes for those who may find this accessible.
For more information on the Cape Explorer / Wine Tram Tour get in touch with City Sightseeing:
Website: www.citysightseeing.co.za
Email: info@citysightseeing.co.za
Phone: 021 511 6000
Author: Deirdré Gower
Deirdré Gower is the founder of Warrior On Wheels Foundation and Accessible South Africa. She is mom to 20 year old Damian, who has spastic quadriplegia and explores the world in his wheelchair. Deirdré is also a horse trail guide and website designer. To get in touch, email deirdre@warrioronwheels.co.za