South Africa Train Tours — Our Top 6

1.Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-on Hop-off

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,972 reviews · 8h 30m · from $50Our pick

Take a comfortable Xplorer coach from Cape Town to Franschhoek, then use the vintage tram and open-air tram buses to visit 4 to 5 wine estates. Choose tastings, cellar tours, picnics, or meals at each stop. Routes vary, so plan around the estates you most want to see.

“The driver and guides were fabulous, gave us lots of advice and were very caring. We do think that clients staying in the city should have a pick-up point much closer than the V & A waterfront because it meant using a taxi to get to our only meeting point Superb”

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2.Full-Day Franschhoek Hop On Hop Off Wine Tram Tour from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 579 reviews · from $28Best value

Start at 8:15 am from a Cape Town pickup point and ride a comfortable coach to Franschhoek. Choose estates on the Blue, Pink, Red, or seasonal Navy route, then hop on and off trams and buses for tastings, food, gin, and vineyard views. Tastings and lunch cost extra.

“the coach use to transport us to the wine area was very luxurious and comfortable. the day out we used the wine bus first in the morning and the tram in the afternoon. all the winerys were excellent and we stayed for lunch at one stop and stayed 2 hours (most stops you got 1 hour to enjoy). the day never felt rushed and we had all the information required to make the most of our day”

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3.Steam Train to Elgin Railway Market

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 375 reviews · from $51Top rated

Board the Ceres Rail Company train at Cape Town’s Foreshore for a roughly 10-hour return trip to Elgin Railway Market. You’ll pass Table Mountain, False Bay, Strand, and Sir Lowry’s Pass, then spend about two hours browsing food, drinks, and crafts. Bring patience, as delays and seating mix-ups can happen.

“It was a nice experience to travel a bit back in time. I luckily read reviews about possible delays and was expecting it. We were at the station at 7:30am and only arrived back in town around 6pm. Which is a very long day and brace yourself for Read more”

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4.Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Wine Tram

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 261 reviews · 9h 30m · from $80

Spend a full day tasting South African wines in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Your English or French-speaking guide handles the driving, while you visit Lanzerac, Tokara, and selected Franschhoek estates by wine tram. Expect generous pours, chocolate pairing, mountain views, and guides such as Candy, Natasha, Peter, or Joseph.

“A fantastic wine experience!! We visited 4 wineries, each one better than the last! We went in a van, with a small group, which made everything faster and more friendly! And I have to praise our staff duo, Candy and Zane, guide and driver, who treated everyone with cordiality, attention, safety and good humor! Thank you, guys, you shone! I highly recommend this tour with Candy and Zane!”

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5.Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wine Tasting and Tram

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 190 reviews · 8 hours · from $110

Spend eight hours touring South Africa’s Cape Winelands with an English-speaking guide such as Zaine or Brandon. Taste wine with cheese and biltong, walk through Stellenbosch, pause for lunch in Franschhoek, ride the wine tram, and visit Groot Drakenstein Prison.

“Had a lovely trip. Zaine was both knowledgeable and fun. Would recommend”

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6.Franschhoek wine Tram & Stellenbosch Town Full day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · from $74

Spend 9 to 10 hours touring Stellenbosch and Franschhoek from Cape Town. Walk Stellenbosch, taste at estates such as Lanzerac and Tokara, then ride the Franschhoek Wine Tram to up to three farms. Guides including Peter, Candy, Rodney, and Joseph bring local history to life.

“An entire day of wine tasting experience was really worth in SA. The Driver and guide was good and friendly.”

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