How to Get from Barcelona to Montserrat: Train, Cable Car, Rack Railway, Tours, & Cars

How do you make your day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat feel like the most rewarding jaunt beyond the Catalan capital? Here’s a hint: it’s about the journey and the destination.

Ready to leave Barcelona’s unique barrios with neon-lit tapas bars, cutting-edge exhibitions, electrifying nightlife, modernist avenues, and Mediterranean buzz behind for the dramatic peaks of Montserrat, with the songs of L’Escolania (one of Europe’s oldest boys’ choirs), drifting through the mountaintop basilica?

After wandering Barcelona’s hip Gothic Quarter, marveling at Gaudí’s masterpieces, and squeezing in a swim between Miró or Picasso galleries, Montserrat makes for a refreshing change of pace. Home to one of Catalonia’s most dramatic landscapes, Montserrat is famed for its serrated rock formations, the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, the iconic Black Madonna (La Moreneta), and artisanal specialties like Aromes de Montserrat, the monks’ herb liqueur, along with traditional fig cakes.

Think stunning views, Montserrat Natural Park trails, jagged limestone peaks, and a funicular ride clinging to the mountainside, and you’ve got one of the most rewarding day trips from Barcelona. The distance from Barcelona to Montserrat is around 60 km (37 miles), making it an easy half-day or full-day escape. In under an hour, you’ll trade cobblestones for fresh pine-scented air, Barcelona’s urban rooftops for calm peaks, and the city’s buzz for the slow pace of a community of 80 monks still living in the monastery.

Whether you’re planning a quick Barcelona to Montserrat day trip or a slower, more immersive mountain escape, here’s your guide to how to get from Barcelona to Montserrat by train, glide upward by Rack Railway (Cremallera) or Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat), and more. We break down routes, cost, insider tips, and scenic combinations to help make the journey from Barcelona to Montserrat part of your Catalan experience. And if you aren’t taking advantage of these travel perks, you’re missing out!

Private Transfer

Booking a Kiwitaxi private transfer from Barcelona to Montserrat is the most seamless and stylish way to begin your mountain escape. Whether you’re planning a serene visit to the basilica, traveling with kids or family, or simply want to arrive hassle-free and relaxed, Kiwitaxi’s private transfer ensures you reach Montserrat refreshed and ready to explore.

Traveling from Barcelona to Montserrat with luggage?

Kiwitaxi’s professional driver picks you up directly from your hotel, apartment, or Barcelona Airport, assists with luggage, and escorts you to a private, comfortable vehicle waiting just outside. Settle in, enjoy a customized ride with child seats, extra luggage space, and flexible stops, and watch the city give way to vineyards, valleys, pine groves, holm oaks, and jagged mountain peaks.

Stop at Manresa for a local Catalan lunch. Try coca de vidre, a very thin and crispy flatbread covered in sugar and pine nuts with honey-drizzled mató (local fresh cheese), paired with a glass of Moscatell de l'Empordà. Marvel at Martorell’s Pont del Diable or explore Collbató and the Coves del Salnitre caves inspired by Gaudí at your own pace. Closer to the mountain, make a quick pause at Mirador del Serrat for breathtaking views of Montserrat’s serrated skyline. With professional drivers, advance booking, and fixed pricing, a private transfer offers a stress-free, door-to-door alternative. Have your driver drop you at the Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat) station at the base, and then meet you at the top, at the Monastery gates, to experience the thrilling ascent up the mountain without having to buy a round-trip ticket or worry about where your car is parked. Pro-tips: Depart early to arrive before the busiest hours, especially if you want a calmer visit to the basilica or hope to hear L’Escolania perform. Wear comfortable shoes, even if hiking isn’t on the agenda—short trails and viewpoints are hard to resist. Keep your camera within reach for the best views of the Montserrat Monastery, such as from the Creu de Sant Miquel (Sant Miquel’s Cross).

Trip duration: ~60 minutes (direct, traffic permitting)

Fare: From ~€120, varies by vehicle class & group size

Booking: Online reservation with instant confirmation

Best for: Comfort seekers, families, and discerning travelers who want the drive to feel as memorable as the destination

Looking for a stress-free and guided way to explore Montserrat? A Barcelona to Montserrat tour bus is an economical option that combines ease, expert guidance, and breathtaking scenery. Most tours depart from central Barcelona, with pickup locations depending on your selected option. You’ll travel in an air-conditioned bus/coach for about 50 minutes, enjoying scenic views of Catalonia along the way. Upon arrival, you can board the cogwheel train or cable car up the mountain, taking in panoramic vistas of the jagged limestone peaks for about 15 minutes.

With a guided tour: Montserrat from Barcelona, your guide shares the history of the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, the legend of the Black Madonna (La Moreneta), and the Monastery’s Gothic and Renaissance architecture, while you explore the basilica, the audiovisual exhibition, and sample the monks’ artisanal liqueurs. Tours include skip-the-line access or other activities like wine tasting, listening to the Escolanía de Montserrat or enjoying the immersive Millennium video-mapping show.

Short on time? With a Montserrat half day tour from Barcelona, you get travel, guided insight, and free time to wander trails, admire the peaks, and browse the local market of traditional products. With everything pre-booked, including air-conditioned coach transport and priority access to the Monastery, these tours make the journey stress-free, letting you enjoy the spectacular scenery and the unique ambience of Montserrat.

Trip duration: ~6–7 hours, including travel, guided tour, and free time Fare: From ~€50 per person, depending on option and inclusions Booking: Online reservation with instant confirmation Best for: Travelers seeking a guided bus tour with local insight.

Wondering how to get from Barcelona to Montserrat by train without the hassle of driving? Catch the Barcelona Plaça Espanya to Montserrat train from Plaça Espanya located at the foot of Montjuïc hill for a scenic ride whisking you from Barcelona’s urban buzz to the mountain scenery that defines your trip.

Just check the Barcelona to Montserrat train schedule for trains departing every hour starting early in the morning and be sure you’ve already sorted your transport choice for the final mountain ascent, before booking your tickets. Grab your Barcelona to Montserrat train tickets at the specialized yellow FGC vending machines or, even better, buy combined passes online in advance to skip the ticket office queues, and let the ride set the tone for your adventure ahead.

Rack Railway vs Cable Car: Montserrat

Your choice of the mountain ascent shapes the final leg of the journey. Once you arrive at the base, the climb becomes part of the experience. If you’re opting for the Rack Railway (Cremallera), take the R5 Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat and continue up by Cremallera. Prefer the Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat) instead? Simply stay on the train to R5 Barcelona to Aeri de Montserrat, where the aerial route begins just steps from the platform. Still weighing Aeri vs Cremallera, which is better? It really comes down to your travel style. The Aeri de Montserrat Cable Car offers a thrilling, 5-minute climb with sweeping, heart-stopping views of the cliffs and valleys below. On the other hand, the Cremallera de Montserrat is a classic favorite, offering a smoother, 15-minute panoramic ascent that’s slower, fully accessible, and especially comfortable for families, seniors, or travelers with mobility needs. Be sure to check the Aeri de Montserrat schedule or the Rack schedule Montserrat in advance, as both are timed to meet arriving trains for smooth, no-rush transfers.

Combined Tickets & Passes

While the Aeri de Montserrat price and cogwheel fares are fairly similar, they do require separate tickets when purchased individually. For the best mix of convenience and savings, Montserrat combined tickets: train, cable car are hard to beat. Options like the Trans Montserrat ticket (~€46.45) or the Tot Montserrat ticket (~€69.90) are among the most popular options, bundling everything into one simple purchase. These passes typically cover your Barcelona to Montserrat train tickets, the final ascent to the monastery, and funiculars Sant Joan, Santa Cova tickets for exploring panoramic viewpoints and the Holy Grotto. Once you’ve reached the Montserrat Monastery, funiculars Sant Joan, Santa Cova tickets let you extend your adventure up to the Sant Joan Viewpoint or down to the Holy Grotto. The Funicular de Sant Joan offers steep panoramas of the monastery and Pyrenees (wheelchair-accessible), while the Funicular de Santa Cova leads to the Rosary Path and religious monuments (not fully accessible).

Note: While these passes cover your transport, since 2024, entry to the Basilica and the Black Madonna now requires a specific timed-entry slot. While some combined tickets include this, be sure to always double-check if you need to reserve your specific “Throne of the Virgin” time on the official Montserrat website to avoid long lines or being turned away.

Important Note: The Santa Cova Funicular occasionally closes for maintenance or due to weather, so be sure to check the digital screens at the Monastery before buying an individual ticket for it.

Trip duration: ~75 to 90 minutes, including the train journey of over an hour, the final mountain ascent, and the transfer between stations Fare: From ~€25–€69.90 per person, depending on whether you choose individual tickets or bundled options like Trans Montserrat ticket (~€46.45) or the Tot Montserrat ticket (~€69.90) Booking: Tickets can be purchased at FGC stations, ticket machines, or online in advance Best for: Independent travelers and hikers who want flexibility, scenic transport, and exploring Montserrat at their own pace.

Fancy a drive from Barcelona to Montserrat? Driving is a flexible option if you prefer to travel at your own pace enjoying where the view is best and stopping for tasty Catalan dishes, such as Botifarra amb Mongetes (grilled pork sausage served with creamy white beans) or Mel i Mató, the fresh, unsalted curd cheese topped with local honey and walnuts. The journey is a scenic 60 km, and the average Barcelona to Montserrat by car time is around an hour, though this can vary depending on traffic when exiting the city via the A-2 highway. For a smooth route without toll surprises, follow the A-2 toward Lleida/Tarragona, take Exit 582A (Olesa de Montserrat/Manresa), then merge onto the C-55, which runs beautifully along the base of the mountain.

From here, you’ll choose your parking strategy. Driving all the way up the winding BP-1121 road brings you to Montserrat parking: monastery, just a short walk from the Sanctuary. While it’s convenient, costs around €7 per day, and feels wonderfully direct, with only about 400 spaces, it often fills by mid-morning in peak season. If you’ve got a ticket for the Rack Railway (Cremallera), the Monistrol Vila parking, Rack Railway is a free and stress-free alternative. With a spacious parking area right at the start of the cogwheel route, the Monistrol Vila free parking offers nearly 1,000 spaces.

While driving from Barcelona to Montserrat is certainly doable, it comes with notable trade-offs that can impact your experience. The final 15 minutes of the drive from Barcelona to Montserrat involve steep, narrow, and winding mountain roads with several sharp hairpin turns. Other drawbacks include limited monastery parking, tolls, and city traffic turning what should be a scenic escape into a stressful experience. That’s why many travelers consider a private transfer from Barcelona to Montserrat the gold standard: it delivers the speed and flexibility of driving without the stress. With professional drivers, door-to-door pickup, expert navigation of mountain roads, a direct drop-off right at the monastery gates, or even a smart Aeri cable car drop-and-collect, you arrive refreshed and ready to enjoy Montserrat.

Trip duration: ~60 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic and whether you park at the monastery or in Monistrol Fare: Overall costs vary and include fuel, highway tolls, and parking costs Booking: No advance booking needed; just plan your route and arrive early for the best parking availability Best for: Independent travelers and hikers who value flexibility or plan to explore nearby villages and hiking trails at their own pace.

Which station for Montserrat from Barcelona?

Trains to Montserrat depart from Plaça d’Espanya (FGC) in Barcelona, where you take the FGC R5 line toward Manresa and transfer to the Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat) or the Rack Railway (Cremallera).

How to get to Plaça Espanya FGC?

Take Metro Line 1 (Red) or Line 3 (Green) to the Espanya station, then follow the orange FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) and Línia Llobregat-Anoia signs to the dedicated regional train platforms where the R5 train to Montserrat departs hourly.

Aeri de Montserrat station or Monistrol?

Get off at Aeri de Montserrat (the first stop) to take the Cable Car for a steep, dramatic 5-minute ascent; or stay on until Monistrol de Montserrat (the second stop) to take the Rack Railway (Cremallera) for a smoother 15-minute ride up to the monastery with large panoramic windows.

Which is better, Aeri or Cremallera for views?

The Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat) is better for a thrilling, 5-minute aerial ascent with dramatic views of the cliffs and valleys, while the Rack Railway (Cremallera) is better for a smoother, slower ride with scenic mountain landscapes unfolding gradually.

How long: Barcelona to Montserrat?

Travel time from Barcelona to Montserrat is typically 1 - 2 hours one way. A private transfer or car trip takes roughly 1 hour, while using the combined R5 train and mountain ascent (cable car or rack railway) takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes each way.

Barcelona to Montserrat by car: Time?

Driving from Barcelona to Montserrat usually takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on traffic and whether you park at Monistrol Vila (for the Rack Railway (Cremallera) or near the Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat) station.

Barcelona to Montserrat: Cost?

Prices vary depending on the transport option you choose. A Barcelona to Montserrat tour bus or guided day trip can start from around €50 per person, while private transfers or premium options can cost more. Budget-friendly options like trains plus Rack Railway (Cremallera) or Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat) are also available for a lower cost.

Barcelona to Montserrat: Time?

Travel time depends on the travel option you choose. By private transfer, the journey takes around 60 minutes direct, traffic permitting. By public transport, it takes 1 hour and 25 minutes. A Barcelona to Montserrat tour bus typically lasts 6–7 hours including travel, guided tour, and free time at the monastery

Barcelona to Montserrat: Accessibility?

A private transfer offers the highest level of comfort and flexibility for travelers with mobility needs, while the Rack Railway (Cremallera) is the best option for those committed to using public transport. It features modern, level-entry cars suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, while the Cable Car isn’t wheelchair accessible.

What’s the fastest way: Barcelona to Montserrat?

The fastest way from Barcelona to Montserrat is typically by private airport transfer which takes approximately 1 hour depending on traffic.

What’s the cheapest way: Barcelona to Montserrat?

While the cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Montserrat is by taking the Direct Bus (Monbus), with a round-trip ticket costing approximately €12.50 to €18.00, this service has a very limited, fixed schedule. Taking the R5 Barcelona Placa Espanya to Montserrat train and continuing up by the Cremallera de Montserrat (cog-wheel train) is typically the most budget-friendly and reliable option. The FGC R5 Train and final ascent (Aeri or Cremallera) tickets separately totals approximately €41.30 for the round-trip.

Late start: Barcelona to Montserrat last train?

The last FGC R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya usually departs around 10:30 pm, but the cable car and rack railway close much earlier (typically between 5:15 PM and 6:15 PM during the winter season and between 7:00 PM and 8:15 PM in peak summer), so a late start only works if you’re not planning to go up to the monastery.