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This page will give you instructions on how you can travel from Barcelona to Montserrat by train. You will also find the different ticket types, including the options for the cable car or rack railway up to the top of the mountain.
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| Barcelona Montserrat |
How to Travel by Train to Montserrat
You can travel to Montserrat by train, which you catch from España rail station in Barcelona centre.
The España rail station is on the green and red metro lines, making it accessible from any part of Barcelona city centre that has a metro stop.
Once at España look for Line R5 headed towards Manresa.
It's advisable to arrive at España station in plenty of time as it can be a little confusing to find the R5 track. The España rail station is quite large, and the directions to the R5 track could be clearer.
Defining a few important terms
There are quite a few terms used for the different transport options, and we must clearly define those now so you do not get confused when reading this page. Some transport terms have many names for the same thing.
You have two transport options to get to the monastery from the base of the Montserrat mountain. These are the cable car and the rack railway.
Cable Car , also known as Aeri de Montserrat, is the cable car that goes from the base of the Montserrat mountain to the monastery.
Rack Railway, also known as the Cremallera, or Cog Wheel Train is a mountain train (funicular) that goes from the base of Montserrat mountain to the monastery.
Note that the cable car is situated one stop before the rack railway on the train journey from Barcelona. The stop for the cable car is called Aeri de Montserrat, and the train stop for the Rack Railway is Monistrol de Montserrat. We have illustrated these train stops in our diagrammatic map of Montserrat, which you can find further down on this page.
Once you have reached the monastery by taking either the rack railway or the cable car, you have two further funicular mountain trains that can take you to different parts of the mountain. These two funiculars are optional and can make it easier for mountain walkers to arrive at different points in the mountain. These two funiculars are called Santa Cova Funicular and the Santa Joan Funicular.
ToT Montserrat ticket - the all-in-one Montserrat ticket
You would need to buy several different transport tickets to enjoy a visit to Montserrat. Buying several tickets can be confusing if you are a first-time visitor to Montserrat:
1. You would need a metro ticket to arrive at Espanya station in Barcelona.
2. You will need train tickets to the foot of Montserrat Mountain from Barcelona.
3. You would have to buy a different ticket for either the mountain train (rack railway) or the cable car up to the monastery from the foot of the mountain.
4. To reach different levels of Montserrat Mountain from the monastery, you would need to purchase tickets for the two different funicular trains in the mountain.
5. ToT Montserrat also get a free buffet meal at Montserrat mountain restaurant.
6. Montserrat Museum entrance tickets
7. Access to Montserrat audio-visual centre
Instead of working all this out for yourself, you can buy the ToT Montserrat ticket. As mentioned above, the ToT Montserrat ticket includes all the transport tickets you need in just one ticket.
When you select your preferred transport up the Montserrat mountain, either cable car or rack railway, you cannot swap between these once you have made your choice. Therefore, if you chose the rack railway version of ToT Montserrat ticket, you cannot use the cable car and vice versa. We received some reports from site visitors stating they thought they could buy the ToT Montserrat ticket and choose whichever means of transport they wanted on the day of their trip, but that is not the case. You can only use the means of transport specified when on your ToT Montserrat ticket. The means of transport you choose will be for both the outward and the return journey. With the ToT Montserrat ticket, you cannot choose between the cable car on the outward journey and the rack railway on the return journey. You can only choose one form of transport for both outward and return journeys and this means of transport is specified when you select which type of ToT Montserrat ticket you will have.
The ToT Montserrat ticket also includes a buffet meal at the Montserrat restaurant near the monastery and entrance tickets to the museum on the mountain. We go into more detail about the ToT Montserrat ticket further down on this page. The ToT Montserrat ticket is the best option if you want to make your way to Montserrat by train. It takes out the hassle of buying individual tickets.
You can buy the ToT Montserrat ticket online before your trip, saving you time. We provide some booking links for the ToT Montserrat ticket throughout this page.
Map showing the train from Barcelona, cable car up to the mountain (Aeri de Montserrat) and Cremallera de Montserrat.
Rack Railway to Montserrat (Cremallera de Montserrat)
Cable Car in Montserrat (Aeri de Montserrat)
Cable Car in Montserrat (Aeri de Montserrat)
Montserrat Monastery
Santa Cova Funicular in Montserrat
Sant Joan Funicular in Montserrat
This map is copyright registered and protected and may not be copied.
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| Train | Funiculars |
Plaça España station is huge and has many surface entrances to the station below ground. It can be confusing for tourists to find their way around, especially as each entrance only has partial information about the lines you will access from any particular entrance. The best advice here is to ignore the line information displayed as you enter a surface entrance to the underground station and just enter the nearest surface entrance you can find. Once you are underground, look for signs for the R5 track. You may have to walk around a little, but you will find it eventually.
This train timetable information was last updated in2024
Timetable information can change without our notice and we therefore recommend that you check this timetable information at the Montserrat information desk at Plaça España at the entrance to R5 railway line.
The train timetable below shows the train times from Plaça España to either the starting point to take the Cable Car ride (Aeri) or the starting point for the Rack Railway (Cremallera), which are at the foot of Montserrat mountain. You would then need to add another 23 minutes to the journey time for the cable car or rack railway up to Montserrat mountain before you arrive at Montserrat monastery. Also note that trains are leaving from Plaça España station other than those shown; however, their times do not correspond with the departure times of the Cable car or rack railway, so we have not included these in the table below since you would have an extended waiting time.
| Barcelona Plaça Espanya | Arrival time at the station: Aeri Montserrat (Cable Car) at the foot of mountain | Arrival time at the station: Monistrol Montserrat (Rack railway Cremallera Funicular) at foot of mountain |
|---|---|---|
| 08:36 | 09:37 | 09:41 |
| 09:36 | 10:37 | 10:41 |
| 10:36 | 11:37 | 11:41 |
| 11:36 | 12:37 | 12:41 |
| 11:56 | 12:57 | 13:01 |
| 12:36 | 13:37 | 13:41 |
| 12:56 | 13:57 | 14:01 |
| 13:36 | 14:37 | 14:41 |
| 13:56 | 14:57 | 15:01 |
| 14:36 | 15:37 | 15:41 |
| 15:56 | 16:57 | 17:01 |
| 16:36 | 17:37 | 17:41 |
Some trains run at other times, but they do not run every day and therefore, we excluded them from the table above to avoid possible confusion.
Train Timetable Foot of Montserrat mountain to Barcelona.
Important note: the departure times given below are the train departure times from the foot of Montserrat mountain; therefore, you would need to account for an extra 23 minutes earlier departure time to account for the cable car and rack railway journey time from Montserrat Monastery.
| Departure time from station: Monistrol Montserrat (Rack railway Cremallera Funicular) at the foot of mountain | Departure time from Aeri-Montserrat station at the foot of Montserrat mountain | Arrival time at Plaça Espanya Barcelona |
|---|---|---|
| 06:41 | 06:45 | 07:45 |
| 07:41 | 07:45 | 08:45 |
| 08:41 | 08:45 | 09:45 |
| 09:41 | 09:45 | 10:45 |
| 11:41 | 11:45 | 12:45 |
| 12:41 | 12:45 | 13:45 |
| 13:41 | 13:45 | 14:45 |
| 14:41 | 14:45 | 15:45 |
| 15:41 | 15:45 | 16:45 |
| 16:41 | 16:45 | 17:45 |
| 17:41 | 17:45 | 18:45 |
| 18:41 | 18:45 | 19:45 |
| 19:41 | 19:45 | 20:45 |
| 20:41 | 20:45 | 21:45 |
| 21:41 | 21:45 | 22:45 |
| 22:41 | 22:45 | 23:45 |
Some trains run at other times. However, they do not run every day. Therefore, we have not included these in the train timetable to avoid any possible confusion.
Train Tickets To Montserrat With Tickets Offering Optional Extras.
If you are buying your own individual train tickets instead of ToT Montserrat, these can be purchased at Plaça España station from ticket booths just in front of Line R5 to Manresa. You will find attendants there who will explain the ticket prices to you. They speak English, Spanish and Catalan.
Make sure you buy the right tickets
First, you need to decide if you want the Cable Ride (Aeri ticket version) to the monastery after the train journey from Barcelona. Or do you want the Cremallera Funicular ride to the Monastery (Rack Railway ticket version)? The train from España station takes you to the foot of Montserrat mountain. Then you have two options. A cable car or Cremallera Funicular can be used to go up Montserrat Mountain to the monastery. You will need to get off the train at different stops depending on which one you decide to take.
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| Aeri de Montserrat Cable Car |
When you purchase your tickets to travel to Montserrat at España Station, you must ensure you buy the correct ticket type. There are two versions of the tickets listed in the table below. There is one ticket for the route with the cable car (Aeri) to the monastery; the other ticket type is to go up to the monastery by the Cremallera Funicular. Although the tickets listed below have the same name and prices, there are two versions of the ticket, and you will need to specify which one you want when you purchase the ticket at the station. They are not interchangeable, and you cannot change your mind and use the other route once you have purchased the ticket.
e.g. for the "Trans Montserrat Ticket" you will need to specify if you want the Cable Car version or if you want the Cremallera funicular version of that ticket. The prices are the same, and the names of the tickets are also the same, which has led to some confusion among tourists. If you buy a cable car version of the tickets below, you cannot use it on the Cremallera funicular and vice versa.
Price information was last updated2024
| Ticket Name | Description | Price (Euros) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Single | Single journey to Montserrat. Includes train fare from Barcelona España to Montserrat . You have the option of buying a ticket for either the cable car ride up to the monastery (Get off at train stop Montserrat Aeri) or the Track Train ride up to Montserrat Cremallera funicular (Get off at train stop Monistrol) | €14.55 |
| Adult Return | The same ticket as above; however, it is a return ticket. | €26.30 |
| Child Single | As for adult single above, however for children | €10.35 |
| Child Return | As for adult return above, however for children | €19.30 |
| Pensioners Single | As for adult single but for pensioners | €13.70 |
| Pensioners Return | As for adult return but for pensioners | €24.90 |
| Trans Montserrat Ticket | This special combined ticket includes several different return train fares in one ticket. It could save you money if you want to see the monastery at Montserrat and take the funicular mountain trains from the monastery to different parts of the mountain. The ticket includes the following: 1. Return train fare from Barcelona to Montserrat, either with the Cable car ride option to the monastery or if you prefer the Track Train mountain train ride - but remember you need to specify which when you buy this ticket because they are not interchangeable. You can buy a cable car or Cremallera version of this ticket. You cannot use the other method once you have selected your ticket version. 2. The ticket also includes 2 return journeys on 2 different funicular rides (the funicular is a mountain train that goes up steep slopes). You catch these funicular rides once you arrive at the monastery. You are not to be confused with the funicular ride to the monastery from the train from Barcelona, called the Cremallera funicular. These funicular rides give you access to different parts of the mountain, and you can visit the top of Montserrat Mountain and Santa Cova Cave. You can also go on some mountain walks with amazing views. Normally, you would have to purchase the funicular tickets separately once you arrive at Montserrat, but the two funicular return rides are included in the price of this ticket. 3. You also have 2 free metro rides with this ticket. There are no discounts for pensioners or children with this ticket because the ticket already offers a discount for the fares. e.g. if you purchased the funicular rides separately (once you arrived at Montserrat monastery), you would need to pay an additional cost for the funicular from the monastery to the top of Montserrat mountain and another cost for the funicular ride to Santa Cova Cave from the monastery. Funicular from the Monastery to the top of Montserrat Funicular ride from the Monastery to Santa Cova Cave 4.Access to the audiovisual area on Montserrat. Although it is possible to walk both of these destinations from the monastery, it is not recommended because it is pretty steep and not an easy walk. | €45.00 |
| ToT Montserrat Ticket | All Montserrat: This ticket includes everything that the Trans Montserrat ticket mentioned above, and in addition, you have free entry into the Montserrat museum plus a free lunch at the restaurant at Montserrat. The restaurant offers a buffet lunch. Museum Entrance Fee | €68.25 |
Journey times to Montserrat from Barcelona and train stops to get off at
The Journey time to Montserrat from Barcelona España station is approximately one hour by train.
You have two options to reach the monastery once you have taken the train ride. The first is a cable car ride (Aeri) up to the monastery the second is the Funicular Cremallera Train. As stated above, you must select which ticket you will buy at the station.
Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat)
The cable car ride from the train stop Aeri de Montserrat is only a 5 minute ride. You will have breathtaking views on the cable car ride up to the monastery; however, you will need to stand for the journey.
The cable car ride is included in the ToT Montserrat ticket; however, check when you are booking because sometimes this ticket is not available due to maintenance - in which case you have to choose the Rack Railway (Mountain train) option instead when making your booking.
Cremallera Funicular - Rack Train - Gog Wheel train
If you are uncomfortable taking the cable car ride, take the Rack Train instead. For the Rack Train ride, you must get off one stop after Aeri de Montserrat called Monistrol. The Rack Train ride will take 15 minutes to the monastery and is more comfortable than the cable car. However, you would have better views from the cable car. The other advantage to taking the Cremallera Funicular is that you can sit down during the journey, and the train is also suitable for those with wheelchairs.
The Cremallera Funicular rack railway train ride is included with the ToT Montserrat ticket.
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| Cremallera de Montserrat Rack Railway |
I recommend you arrive in plenty of time at España rail station because there are queues to buy the tickets and the trains to Montserrat leave on time.
España station Montserrat tourist information help
Look out for the helpful Montserrat tourist information people at the stands just at the Montserrat trains at España station entrance. We recommend you say hello to Cluny when you are there. He and his colleagues are there to help you, and they say it really makes their day when the tourists appreciate their help. We want to thank Cluny for helping us put the information together on this page.
Stay vigilant at España Station
We have also been informed by the Montserrat information office based at España station that tourists have been regularly pickpocketed at España rail station when they are trying to purchase tickets from the automatic ticket booths. They recommend you stay vigilant, especially when using ticket vending machines. They say this is a daily occurrence, and although the police have been informed, the pickpockets still return. The best way is to pay attention to España station when purchasing your tickets. Please don't let these petty thieves spoil your visit.
Montserrat Museum
There is no entrance fee to the monastery; however, if you wish to visit the museum, you will have to pay an entrance fee.
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| Paintings on display at Montserrat Museum |
Entrance fee to the musem
Adults:€8.00
Pensioners:€6.50
The entrance ticket to the Montserrat Museum is included with the ToT Montserrat ticket
Funicular rides from the monastery to other parts of Montserrat mountain.
Once at Montserrat you have the option to visit the peak of the Montserrat mountain where you would have magnificent mountain views of Catalonia and the Montserrat mountains. You would need to catch the funicular to reach the top of the mountain.
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| Funicular going to the top of the mountains |
Funicular ride
Single ticket:€10.70
Return ticket:€16.50
There is also another funicular ride to Santa Cova cave from the monastery.
Funicular ride to Santa Cova
Single ticket:€4.10
Return ticket:€6.30
There is a restaurant at Montserrat mainly serving sandwiches. I recommend you also bring plenty of water, especially if you want to walk in the mountains.
Keep an eye on the time as the Cable car only runs till around18:00(times change so please check this out independently on the day you go). You can pick up a train timetable from the information desk at Plaça España before you enter the train.
The two funicular rides are also included with the ToT Montserrat ticket.
Map showing the funiculars in Montserrat mountain from Montserrat Monastery to other parts of the mountain
Santa Cova Funicular in Montserrat
Rack Railway to Montserrat (Cremallera de Montserrat)
Montserrat Monastery
Santa Cova Funicular in Montserrat
Sant Joan Funicular in Montserrat
This map is copyright registered and protected and may not be copied.
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| Funiculars |
Coach tours to Montserrat
If you would rather have the trip to Montserrat organized for you, including a coach ride and a guided visit, consider taking one of the following tours.
 | There are organized tours that save you the time and trouble of organizing your trip to Montserrat. They include a return journey from Barcelona to Montserrat. Tours from Barcelona to Montserrat with return journey
Full-day tour with Choir Boys performance included - Click to learn more. Morning tour with Choir Boys performance included - Click to learn more Afternoon tour - Click to learn more |
