From Barcelona to Montserrat

5/5 - (1 vote)

From Barcelona to Montserrat: The ultimate Overview

Montserrat, Barcelona, photo: MISSU, Unsplash

If you decide to take a day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat , you’ll not only find breathtaking scenery but also visit one of Spain’s most famous pilgrimage sites . Montserrat is renowned for its unique mountain landscape , the historic Benedictine monastery , and the legendary Black Madonna, La Moreneta . In this blog post, I’ll give you a complete overview and explain how you can easily and quickly reach Montserrat from Barcelona – with all the practical tips and information on the various transport options.

How to get from Barcelona to Montserrat

There are several ways to reach Montserrat from Barcelona. The most convenient and popular options are traveling by train, bus, or car. All of these modes of transport offer a comfortable and scenic journey, but there are differences between them. Let’s take a look at the various options:

From Barcelona to Montserrat by train

The train journey from Barcelona to Montserrat takes about 1 hour and brings you directly to the town of Monistrol de Montserrat , the starting point for the two mountain railways that take you up to the monastery: the rack railway (Cremallera de Montserrat) and the cable car (Aeri de Montserrat) .

  • Departure from Barcelona : The train to Monistrol de Montserrat departs from Plaça d’Espanya in Barcelona. Here you board the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) train . It’s line R5. The trains run regularly and are clearly signposted.
  • Travel time : The journey takes approximately one hour and offers you the opportunity to enjoy the rural beauty of Catalonia. You will drive through picturesque villages and rolling hills before seeing the famous rocks of Montserrat.

From Barcelona to Montserrat by bus

There is a bus service from Barcelona to Montserrat. The bus company Autocares Julia runs a special excursion bus from Barcelona to Montserrat year-round. The destination is at the lower station of the funicular railway. The bus departs daily from Barcelona at 9:15 a.m. The return trip from Montserrat is at 6:15 p.m. from October to May. During the peak season from June to September, the return trip is an hour later, at 7:15 p.m. If you don’t feel like taking the train, you can take the bus. Here are the details:

  • Departure : The bus to Montserrat departs from Estació de Sants (Barcelona’s main train station). You can use the direct bus service Autocares Julia , which is specifically designed for tourists who want to visit the monastery.
  • Travel time : The journey takes about 1.5 hours and takes you comfortably directly to the foot of Montserrat mountain .
  • Price : Taking the bus is an affordable option, and tickets can be purchased either online or at the bus station.

From Barcelona to Montserrat by car

Traveling by car from Barcelona to Montserrat offers you great flexibility and the opportunity to explore the area on your own. Renting a car isn’t worthwhile in terms of time. There are two different routes, depending on how close you want to get to the monastery.

  1. Directly to Montserrat Monastery:
    If you want to drive directly to the monastery, the route takes you along a winding mountain road that becomes quite steep in the last few kilometers. You’ll reach the parking lot right by the monastery , but keep in mind that parking fees are very expensive and spaces fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. Therefore, it’s advisable to arrive early to secure a spot.
  2. Parking at the funicular or cable car:
    Another option is to drive to the parking lot for the funicular (Cremallera) or the cable car (Aeri) . These parking lots are located further down the mountain and offer more space. From here, you can take either the cogwheel train (Cremallera) or the cable car (Aeri) , which will take you up to the monastery in just a few minutes.

Montserrat from Barcelona by train, bus or car?

Your choice of transportation depends on your personal preferences, budget, and the time you have available for your trip to Montserrat. Here’s a brief overview to help you choose the best option:

1. By train: Perfect for convenience and scenery

The train journey is fast (approximately 1 hour), comfortable, and scenic. You can sit back and enjoy the views. Trains run regularly, offering a stress-free trip. It’s especially convenient if you want to see the Montserrat cliffs during the journey.

2. By bus: Ideal for comfort and direct arrival

The bus takes you directly to the foot of Montserrat mountain. It’s a comfortable but somewhat longer journey (approximately 1.5 hours). The bus service runs daily at fixed times.

3. By car: For maximum flexibility

A car offers maximum flexibility, as you can decide when to leave and how long to stay. You can either drive directly to the monastery or park at one of the cog railway or cable car parking lots and then use the mountain lifts. If you want to explore the area independently, a car is a great choice. Parking directly at the monastery is expensive and can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. The winding roads and steep sections aren’t for everyone. If you park further down, you’ll have to take the mountain lift up.

My recommendation: Take the train to Montserrat

For me personally, the train is the best way to visit Montserrat. The train connection is excellent, and you can not only travel comfortably and quickly from Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat, but also benefit from the inexpensive combination tickets that include both the train journey and entry to the monastery. This saves time and money and makes the trip even more stress-free. These are the currently available combination tickets including train fares:

Why I prefer the train:

  • Comfort and speed : The train journey takes only about 1 hour , making it the faster option compared to the bus, which takes about 1.5 hours . And best of all, you don’t have to worry about finding parking or navigating the winding mountain roads.
  • Combination tickets : There are affordable combination tickets for the train that include not only the train journey but also admission to the main attractions in Montserrat. This makes planning easy and saves you money.
  • No stress : You board the train at Plaça d’Espanya in Barcelona and can relax during the journey through the rural beauty of Catalonia. This is how you reach Montserrat quickly and stress-free.

Why car and bus are not an option for me:

  • By car : Renting a car is relatively expensive, and you have to consider that you’ll be driving on winding, steep roads to reach the monastery. Parking fees are also high. So, unless you’re already planning a road trip and have a car available, I don’t think renting one for a Montserrat excursion would be worthwhile.
  • Bus : The bus is also not an ideal option for me. Although it takes you comfortably to the foot of Montserrat mountain, the journey takes longer than by train.

Further links for your trip

Scroll to Top