How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona by train

Your Complete Guide to the Monastery, Mountains and the Trip From Barcelona

Montserrat is one of the most visited destinations in Catalonia. It sits only 60 km away from the city and offers a mix of nature, spirituality, art and hiking. The mountain is known for its serrated shape, its panoramic viewpoints and its Benedictine monastery, a key cultural site in the region. The highest point of the mountain is Sant Jeroni and reaches 4,055 feet (1,236 meters), which allows you to enjoy wide, open views without difficult climbs.

You can reach it by hiking from the base of the mountain near the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, or by taking the Sant Joan funicular to a higher stop and walking the remaining section.

Most visitors spend between 4 and 6 hours exploring the monastery, the viewpoints, the funicular and at least one short trail. Montserrat is also popular for the Black Madonna, the boys’ choir and the iconic rock formations that make it one of the most unique mountain ranges in Spain.

Why Montserrat Is One of the Most Iconic Day Trips in Spain

The name Montserrat means “serrated mountain”, a reference to the rounded rock shapes created by the erosion of ancient sediments. The Benedictine monastery has been an important pilgrimage site for centuries. The surrounding landscape feels different from other areas near Barcelona because of its tall pillars of rock and its quick access to elevated viewpoints.

Montserrat’s rounded, serrated peaks were formed by millions of years of erosion acting on a massive conglomerate rock formation, a mix of cemented sand, gravel and pebbles deposited during the Oligocene epoch, according to studies from the Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya.

How to Get to Montsarcelona

Reaching Montserrat from Barcelona is simple. You have four main options: train, car, bus or an organized tour. Most travelers choose the train because it is affordable, frequent and well connected to the two mountain access points.

How to Travel by car to Montserrat

Reaching Montserrat by car orerrat From B motorcycle is easy, and the final stretch climbs through a scenic mountain road with wide curves and open views.

Follow the A2 toward Martorell, take the exit for the town, and continue along the N-II until you reach the turnoff signed for Montserrat. The drive from central Barcelona covers roughly 70 km.

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You will find a paid parking area next to the monastery.

How to Travel by Train to Montserrat

Getting to Plaça Espanya is straightforward from any central area of Barcelona. The metro connects easily from Sagrada Família, the Gothic Quarter or Passeig de Gràcia. Once you reach the station, follow the signs for the FGC railways, where ticket machines let you buy combined train and mountain-access tickets.

To reach Montserrat, you need the FGC R5 line (Barcelona–Manresa). Trains depart from the lower FGC platforms. Look for “R5 Manresa” on the departure screens. Stay on the train until either Aeri de Montserrat if you want the cable car, or Monistrol de Montserrat if you prefer the rack railway.

The journey is comfortable, with wide seats and space for backpacks. If you want the best views, sit on the right-hand side of the train when leaving Barcelona, since this side faces the Llobregat River valley as you approach Montserrat.

Rush hours inside Barcelona can make the first part of the ride busier, although it becomes quieter once you leave the city limits.

Tickets and Passes Explained

There are several ticket options: the Trans Montserrat Pass, the Tot Montserrat Pass and individual tickets. The Trans Montserrat Pass includes the train, the cable car or rack railway and the funicular. The Tot Montserrat Pass adds the museum and lunch. The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay.

When adding this to your website, include a simple comparison table. Also add approximate updated prices from the official Montserrat ticket listings.

You can choose between individual tickets, the Trans Montserrat Pass and the Tot Montserrat Pass. The Trans Montserrat Pass includes the train, the cable car or rack railway and both funicular. The Tot Montserrat Pass adds museum entry and lunch at the monastery restaurant. The best option depends on how long you plan to stay.

To guide your readers, include a simple comparison table on your website. Add approximate updated prices from official Montserrat listings:

• Individual return train ticket: about €23–€25, depending on whether you choose the cable car or the rack railway.
• Trans Montserrat Pass: about €43–€45, includes train + cable car or rack railway + both funiculars (Sant Joan and Santa Cova).
• Tot Montserrat Pass: about €69–€72, includes train + cable car or rack railway + both funiculars + museum entry + lunch.

Funicular access:

• Individual ticket: not included.
• Trans Montserrat: included.
• Tot Montserrat: included.

Best pass based on visit length:

• 3–4 hours: Regular ticket with cable car or rack railway.
• 4–6 hours: Trans Montserrat Pass to use both funiculars.
• 6–8 hours: Tot Montserrat Pass for the museum and included lunch.

What to Expect at the Montserrat Monastery

The monastery area is centered around a large open plaza with access to the basilica, the museum, the funicular and several viewpoints. The complex sits at an elevation of about 720 meters (2,360 feet), which gives you clear views over the Llobregat valley and the serrated rock formations surrounding the sanctuary. The main paths around the plaza are paved and suitable for visitors with limited mobility, and ramps connect the key areas of the complex.

Crowds build quickly on weekends, especially for the Black Madonna. Arriving before 10:00 helps you enter the basilica with shorter lines, move around the atrium comfortably and take photos in the plaza without large groups. If you want to visit the museum or take one of the funiculars, late morning and early afternoon tend to be quieter than the mid-morning peak.

What's the fastest way of getting to Montserrat?

The fastest way to reach Montserrat from Barcelona is by private transport. A direct transfer avoids the connections required when using the train, cable car or rack railway, and the drive takes about 60–70 minutes depending on traffic.

If you join one of our small-group tours, the vehicle takes you straight to the mountain area with no transfers. This gives you more time to explore the viewpoints, visit the monastery and walk a short trail. Many tours also include the Aeri cable car, entry to the basilica and, when available, access to the Virgin of Montserrat. Lunch is usually offered as a three-course menu in a traditional farmhouse near the mountain.

Groups are kept small, and a professional guide stays with you throughout the visit to explain the history, help you navigate the site and manage timing so you avoid the busiest hours. You can see more details about this tour here if you want to compare schedules and availability.

If you prefer to reach Montserrat as quickly as possible and avoid transfers, a private tour is the most efficient option. One of the most complete choices is a full-day private Montserrat tour that combines the monastery with the Penedès wine region, a vineyard lunch and tastings. It includes direct transportation from Barcelona, a local guide, access to Montserrat’s key highlights, a 3-course farm-to-table lunch and visits to two family-run wineries. This is ideal if you want a smooth, fully organized day with no logistics to manage.