Planning the most epic day trip of them all? Here’s how to get to Montserrat from Barcelona.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or a spiritual seeker, I wanna share some essential tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Let’s figure out how to get from Barcelona to Montserrat.
How to Get to Montserrat from Barcelona
As we can see from the map above, Montserrat is located about 60 km (37 miles) from Barcelona.
The trip to Montserrat from Barcelona typically involves two separate parts:
- The trip from Barcelona to the foot of the mountains (train, bus, or car).
- The ride up to the top via the Montserrat Cable Car or funicular.
For this reason, tourists without cars tend to buy all-inclusive day trip ticket packages with transport included – it just makes it so much easier.
Not looking at going it alone? I break them all down in best tours from Barcelona to Montserrat post.
These tours also add in a lot of value in knowledge, food, and maybe even wine!
Barcelona to Montserrat By Bus
Most tourists travel by bus from Barcelona to Montserrat, because it’s a convenient and cost-effective way to get it done hassle-free.
There is a single daily departure from the Old City: at 8:00 am.
With these all-inclusive bus tours to Montserrat, you won’t have to worry about three methods of transport (metro→train→cable car) – you just get on the bus and let them take you the whole way!
This is also the cheapest way to get to Montserrat:
Single return bus tickets + admission to the Monastary cost just €39.00 – which is cheaper than taking the train + cable car independently.
Looking to add a guided tour on top? It’ll cost €42.00 – which is still cheaper than going independently with the train+cable car.
Montserrat from Barcelona by Train
Getting to Montserrat from Barcelona by train is as easy as heading to the famous Plaça Espanya – and grabbing the R5 train toward Manresa.
After about 60 minutes, you’ll get off at Aeri de Montserrat (cable car, faster + most popular) or Monistrol de Montserrat (funicular, slower and further) to complete the journey.
Trains depart from Espanya station about once an hour and it takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Trains cost 13.75€ (26.30€ return).
Here’s the Montserrat train timetable for your reference.
Once your train arrives, you’ll need to select one of the following:
Montserrat Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat Station)
WARNING: Make sure you book your cable car tickets in advance – it’ll make the transfer smooth as can be, especially with huge lines in summer. If you miss a car, you’ll have to wait another 25 minutes.
As I mentioned, the Montserrat Cable Car is the fastest and most majestic way to get to Montserrat.
Here, you’re riding a hanging cable car that pulls you 1350 meters up the side of a mountain at a speed of 5 meters per second.
Below, you’ll get amazing views of the Llobregat River and Llobregat Valley. The heart-pounding and ear-popping trip is worth the price of admission alone.
Cable cars depart every 25 minutes and in all the trip takes five minutes.
- Adults (14+): €14.00 return
- Kids (4-13): €7.00 return
Montserrat Rack Railway (Monistrol de Montserrat Station)
The Montserrat rack railway is a type of mini-train that’ll bring you all the way up to Montserrat monastery.
With it, you’ll wind your way up the mountain in a more relaxed way than the cable car, though there are still some great views to take in.
Prices vary depending on age and season:
- Adults (14+): €8.70 (€14.50 return)
- Seniors (65+): €8.05 (€13.10 return)
- Kids (4-13): €4.70 (€7.50 return)
In all, the journey takes 20 minutes.
You can buy your Montserrat funicular tickets in advance online.
🎯 Fact: as far as Montserrat for disabled visitors goes, the rack railway is the only wheelchair accessible option here.
Montserrat from Barcelona by Car
The easiest way to get to Montserrat from Barcelona is to rent a car – you can be up watching the Montserrat Boys Choir in no time!
Just take either the A-2 or C-55 roads and leave it at any of the free parking spaces at the Monistrol-Vila or Aeri de Montserrat stations.
Wanna take your car all the way up? There’s a parking lot right next to the monastery, albeit slightly downhill. Elderly visitors or Barcelona tourists with disabilities may find this challenging.
Careful: there are only 400 spots up top, so get there early!
For more info, check out my post Barcelona to Montserrat by car.
The best prices for renting a car in Barcelona can be found on Rentalcars.com.
Related: Is Montserrat Worth It?
How to Get from Barcelona to Montserrat FAQ
What is the best way to get to Montserrat from Barcelona?
The best way to get to Montserrat from Barcelona is by taking an all inclusive bus tour departing from the old city.
What is the fastest way to get to Montserrat from Barcelona?
The fastest way to get to Montserrat from Barcelona is by getting a direct bus from the city centre: it’ll take just over an hour.
Can I visit Montserrat from Barcelona in one day?
Yes, it is possible to visit Montserrat from Barcelona in one day. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes one way, allowing for a full day trip.
How to get from Barcelona to Montserrat monastery?
To get from Barcelona to Montserrat monastery, take the R5 train to Montserrat-Aeri Station, then a cable car up to the monastery.
Can you drive to Montserrat from Barcelona?
Yes, you can drive to Montserrat from Barcelona, but it is not recommended due to the winding roads and limited parking at the monastery. It is best to take public transportation or a guided tour.
How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona by public transport?
To get to Montserrat from Barcelona with public transport take the R5 train from Espanya to Monistrol de Montserrat – then grab the cremallera, which takes you up to Montserrat.
How Do You Get to Montserrat?
I hope I’ve answered the question clearly and succinctly: if I’m on a normal trip I’m gonna grab an all in one bus tour to take the guess work out of it.
That said, for anybody looking to get to Montserrat from Barcelona with independence in mind – I’d do the train/cable car combo for maximum memories!
Any questions beyond this? Hit me up in the comments!
Content Manager
14 years of Barcelona experience and not slowing down anytime soon! I've seen the city through the eyes of a misguided, Sangria-filled tourist and a responsible local fluent in Spanish and everything Barcelona. I co-founded Barcelona Hacks to help visitors discover the city with insider info - just try me! :)
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