Barcelona

How to Get to Montserrat from Barcelona

From Plaça Espanya take the R5 toward Manresa. Get off at Montserrat Aeri for the cable car or at Monistrol de Montserrat for the rack railway. The guide explains tickets and prices, Trans Montserrat and Tot Montserrat, funiculars, timings, and parking at Monistrol Vila.

Amanda

05 Aug 2025 — 10 min read

Photo by Corentin Largeron / Unsplash

What You Will Learn

This guide shows how to get from Barcelona to Montserrat with clear and friendly steps. You will see where to start in the city, which train to take, how to change for the cable car or the rack railway, and how the main tickets work.

It also covers times, prices, the metro step to Plaça Espanya, parking at Monistrol Vila, the funiculars at the top, options with or without a tour, accessibility notes, baggage tips, and a short list of common questions that travelers ask on the platform.

The Short Version

Go to Plaça Espanya, follow the FGC signs for the R5 toward Manresa, ride the train, then change at Montserrat Aeri for the cable car or at Monistrol de Montserrat for the rack railway..

Total time is about one hour to the valley plus a few minutes up by cable car or about fifteen minutes by rack railway.
Buy single tickets or pick a bundle called Trans Montserrat or Tot Montserrat if you want more parts included.
At the top you can visit the basilica, ride the Sant Joan and Santa Cova funiculars, and walk short trails with views.

Start in Barcelona at Plaça Espanya

Plaça Espanya is your gateway. Inside the complex look for FGC, not the national rail area. Screens show the R5 line to Manresa and platform numbers. Machines switch to English and accept cards. If you want help, staff at the hall point you to the correct stairs and lifts.

Metro lines L1 and L3 connect to Plaça Espanya. Follow the arrows that say FGC. The R5 is the train that serves both Montserrat access points, so there is no extra change before the valley. You sit down, watch the city fade into the Llobregat valley, and keep an eye on the screens for your stop.

For the cable car get off at Montserrat Aeri.
For the rack railway get off at Monistrol de Montserrat.
If you pass your stop, stay calm and return on the next train in the opposite direction.

Route One: Train and Cable Car

Choose the cable car if you want a short climb with open views across the river and cliffs. The cabin glides up fast and you see the monastery terraces approach with every meter.

Board the R5 at Plaça Espanya and ride to Montserrat Aeri. The Aeri station sits right next to the platform. Buy a round trip cable car ticket at the counter or use a combined ticket if you already have one. Staff group passengers by cabin, doors close, and the floor lifts away as the valley spreads under your feet.

Ride time from valley to monastery level is only a few minutes.
Cabins run many times per hour in the daytime. If there is a short line you wait for the next cabin, which comes soon.
Round trip cable car price is about fourteen euro for adults. Children from four to thirteen pay about seven euro. Very young children ride free. Seniors have a reduced fare.
If you want a simple one way that joins train and cable car on one ticket, look for the combined FGC plus Aeri single by zone. From Barcelona it is zone four and costs about fifteen euro and sixty five cents for one direction.

The cable car is standing room with handrails and big windows. It suits people who like a quick climb and a bit of thrill. If you prefer to sit for the ascent, the rack railway below fits better.

Route Two: Train and Rack Railway

This route is smooth and seated. The cog system helps the train climb at a steady pace through forest and rock, and windows are large enough for photos without leaning.

Ride the R5 to Monistrol de Montserrat and follow signs to the Cremallera platform. The uphill train comes often and needs about fifteen minutes for the climb to the monastery level, where you step out close to the main square.

Adult return on the rack railway is about fourteen euro and fifty cents. Child return is about seven euro and twenty five cents. Seniors pay around thirteen euro.
A combined Train plus Rack Railway round trip from Barcelona for zone four costs about twenty seven euro and twenty cents for adults, with child and senior reductions.
Seats are comfortable and there is space for small bags near your knees or feet. Keep large luggage to a minimum for easier boarding.

Both routes reach the same level near the basilica, so pick by comfort, timing, and the mood of your group. Many travelers ride up by one and down by the other for variety.

Tickets in Simple Words

You can pay by pieces or you can choose a bundle. Both ways work. If you want the most freedom, buy singles. If you want to include more parts and avoid small payments later, pick a bundle that matches your day.

Single Tickets

Single tickets keep things flexible. You decide cable car or rack railway on the day and only pay for what you use.

R5 train from Barcelona to the valley with normal suburban fares by zone.
Cable car round trip about fourteen euro for adults and about seven euro for children in the set age band.
Rack railway return about fourteen euro and fifty cents for adults, about seven euro and twenty five cents for children, with a senior reduction.
Combined FGC plus Aeri single for one direction from Barcelona about fifteen euro and sixty five cents.

Trans Montserrat

Trans Montserrat is a transport day pass. It includes the metro in the city, the R5 train to the valley, your choice of cable car or rack railway up and down, unlimited rides on both funiculars for the day, and the audiovisual gallery. With this pass you have direct access to the Sanctuary and the Throne of the Virgin, so you do not need a separate basilica ticket.

Good for people who plan to ride both funiculars or who want fewer payments during the day.
Valid for one full day of use. Times and parts can vary by season, so read the line on the sales screen when you buy.
Buy online or at Plaça Espanya in the morning and go straight to the platform.

Tot Montserrat

Tot Montserrat adds culture and food to the transport bundle. It includes the same transport parts as Trans Montserrat and also the museum and a lunch at the mountain restaurant. Prices start from around sixty nine euro and ninety cents per person and may vary with season and route choice cable car or rack railway.

Choose this if you want everything arranged in a single pass, with time planned for the museum and a meal.
Keep your voucher and photo ID handy when you collect any parts at the counters.
Check opening and service times for the museum and restaurant so your visit flows without rushing.

Timetables and Travel Time

The structure is easy to remember. The R5 brings you to either valley stop. The cable car is fast. The rack railway is steady. You only need to check first and last times for your date and then give yourself a small buffer.

The R5 ride from Plaça Espanya to the valley takes about one hour.
The cable car journey from Montserrat Aeri is a few minutes each way with frequent departures during the day.
The rack railway ride from Monistrol de Montserrat takes about fifteen minutes, usually with departures about every twenty minutes, and more at peaks.
End to end, plan about one hour and a half in normal conditions from the city to the monastery level.

If you want to hear the boys choir inside the basilica, arrive early for the session on your date. Times vary across the year and can change for special days.

Metro Step and City Transport

The metro gets you to Plaça Espanya first. From there you switch to FGC for the suburban train. This split is normal in Barcelona, and signs make the walk between systems simple.

Cards like Hola Barcelona help on the metro and city buses, but the mountain legs have their own tickets. That is why many people choose a bundle or simply pay at each step with a card at the machine.

Metro lines L1 and L3 stop at Plaça Espanya with lifts, escalators, and clear arrows to FGC.
Allow a few minutes to move between areas inside the complex during busy times.
Keep your ticket after each gate because you will need it again for the return ride.

Driving and Parking at Monistrol Vila

If you prefer to drive, set your GPS to Monistrol Vila. It is a large free car park in the valley with space for many cars and coaches. From there you ride the rack railway up to the monastery and avoid tight mountain roads near the Sanctuary.

Drivers like this plan because it removes the stress of finding a space at the top. It also keeps the mountain quieter. Buy your rack railway ticket at the station and keep it safe for the return.

Monistrol Vila has a big free car park with hundreds of spaces and services like a small restaurant.
Direct rack railway links from Monistrol Vila to the monastery operate at busy times.
Arrive early on peak days to find a space and enjoy a calm ride up the hill.

Funiculars on the Mountain

There are two funiculars at the top. They help you reach high viewpoints and paths without a long uphill walk. Many visitors ride one of them right after the basilica visit.

Sant Joan funicular climbs to a high ridge with walking paths and wide views over the valley and peaks.
Santa Cova funicular drops you toward chapels and a gentle path cut into the rock.
Trans Montserrat and Tot Montserrat include unlimited rides on these funiculars for the day, subject to service status.

Accessibility and Baggage

The rack railway is designed for level boarding and is friendly for people with reduced mobility. The stations have lifts and marked areas near the doors. The Sant Joan funicular is adapted. The Santa Cova funicular is not adapted in the same way.

Cable car cabins have a small threshold at the door. Staff assist with boarding. If you travel with a stroller, fold it before you enter. Small backpacks are fine. Very large suitcases are awkward on busy services and on platforms, so try to travel light.

Ask staff on the platform if you need help. They guide people every day and know the right carriage and door to use.
Keep bags close to your feet or knees on the rack railway to leave the aisle free.
Use lifts where available rather than the stairs if you carry a heavy bag.

Tours or Self Guided

Both styles work well here. A guided day tour adds commentary, set timing, and an escort. A self guided plan gives you freedom to stay longer at a viewpoint or to walk an extra path before lunch.

If you choose a tour, check which route it uses to go up the mountain and what the ticket includes. If you go on your own, start early, carry water, and mark the last cable car or last rack railway time on your phone so you do not rush at the end.

Day tour from Barcelona often includes return transport and reserved entry for parts of the visit.
Self guided day trip is simple with the R5 plus either the cable car or the rack railway.
Families and small groups often enjoy mixing both routes by going up one way and down the other.

Common Questions

Here are short answers you can use right away. They match how people search and what they ask at Plaça Espanya on busy mornings.

Which station do I use from Barcelona? For the cable car get off at Montserrat Aeri. For the rack railway get off at Monistrol de Montserrat.
How long is the trip? About one hour on the R5 to the valley plus a few minutes by cable car or about fifteen minutes by rack railway.
Is the basilica free to enter? With Trans Montserrat or Tot Montserrat you have direct access to the Sanctuary and the Throne of the Virgin. Without a combined ticket a tourist entry applies for non residents.
Do I need to book in advance? You can buy on the day at Plaça Espanya. For very busy dates advance purchase helps reduce waiting.
Is the rack railway accessible? Yes, trains and platforms are adapted and there are lifts at the stations. The Santa Cova funicular is not adapted in the same way.
Can I bring luggage? Small bags are fine. Very large cases are not practical on busy trains and cabins.
Can I drive and park? Yes. Park for free at Monistrol Vila and continue by rack railway to the Sanctuary.

Two Easy Plans You Can Copy

These plans cover the main ways people like to visit. They are short and flexible, and you can adjust them for weather or choir times.

Train plus Cable Car. Metro to Plaça Espanya. Buy single tickets or a bundle. R5 to Montserrat Aeri. Cable car up. Basilica first, then Sant Joan funicular, short ridge walk, coffee with a view, cable car down, R5 back to Plaça Espanya.
Train plus Rack Railway. Metro to Plaça Espanya. Buy the Train plus Rack Railway round trip or use singles. R5 to Monistrol de Montserrat. Rack railway up. Square and basilica, museum if you like, Santa Cova funicular for a gentle walk, rack railway down, R5 back to the city.

Final Notes

Decide cable car or rack railway first. That choice sets your valley stop and keeps the day simple. Then decide between singles and a bundle. With those two choices made, the route from city streets to mountain paths is easy to remember and very enjoyable from the first view out of the window.