Barcelona to Montserrat by Train + Cremallera Railway

About the Montserrat Cremallera & Funiculars

There are two main ways to reach the Montserrat Monastery by public transport: the FGC Cremallera rack railway or the Aeri de Montserrat Yellow cable car.

In addition, two funicular railways — the Santa Cova Funicular and the Sant Joan Funicular — connect the monastery complex with other parts of the Montserrat mountain and natural park.

This page focuses on the Cremallera de Montserrat, the Sant Joan Funicular, and the Santa Cova Funicular, all operated by FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya).

About Cremallera de Montserrat

The Cremallera rack railway links Monistrol de Montserrat FGC station (on the R5 and R50 lines) with the monastery, via a stop at Monistrol Vila. Built to improve access for worshippers, pilgrims, and tourists, the line covers 5 km in about 30 minutes.

History of the Cremallera de Montserrat

Before the railway, access to the Montserrat mountain was only possible on foot or horseback. In the late 19th century, engineer Joaquim Carrera — inspired by Swiss mountain railways — persuaded local businessman Josep M. González to invest in a rack railway linking Monistrol de Montserrat station with the monastery.

The company Ferrocarriles de Montaña a Grandes Pendientes was founded in 1881, and the original Cremallera de Montserrat was inaugurated on 6 October 1892. For the first time, pilgrims and tourists could make the return journey between Barcelona and Montserrat in a single day, boosting both religious visits and the local economy.

The original line operated until 1957, when services ceased. However, the vision of restoring the railway never disappeared. In the 1980s, the Generalitat’s Transport Authority and FGC commissioned studies to revive the route. Construction of the modern rack railway began in July 2001, and the new line was inaugurated on 11 June 2003.

Today’s Cremallera de Montserrat largely follows the original alignment. Of its 5 km, 4 km use rack traction to overcome a height difference of nearly 550 m between Monistrol Vila and the monastery station. Along the way, the train passes through the La Foradada tunnel, crosses the Llobregat River via the Pont del Centenari bridge, and reuses historic tunnels such as tunel del Ángel and tunel de los Apóstoles before arriving at the monastery.

About the Sant Joan Funicular

The Sant Joan Funicular is a cable‑pulled railway that ascends steeply from the Montserrat Monastery to the upper slopes of the Montserrat mountain. It offers some of the best panoramic views of the monastery complex and surrounding landscape.

The funicular climbs with a slope gradient of more than 65%, gaining 503 metres of elevation in just a 5‑minute journey. At the top station, visitors can access multiple Montserrat viewpoints and trails leading further into the natural park.

History of the Sant Joan Funicular

Opened in 1918, the Sant Joan Funicular was built to connect the monastery with the Sant Joan Chapel and nearby viewpoints. Its popularity quickly grew, and by 1926 the installations were upgraded with a new track gauge and larger vehicles to meet demand.

In 1986, the funicular became part of the FGC network (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya). A major modernisation followed in 1997, introducing new panoramic vehicles designed to showcase the dramatic scenery of the Montserrat mountain range.

About the Santa Cova Funicular

The Santa Cova Funicular is a cable‑pulled railway that descends from the Montserrat Monastery to the Santa Cova station, covering an elevation loss of 118 metres. The short 3‑minute journey provides easy access to one of the most significant religious sites on the Montserrat mountain.

According to legend, the Santa Cova cave is where the image of the Mare de Déu de Montserrat (Black Madonna) was discovered. From the lower station, a paved path of about 1.5 km leads to the Santa Cova Chapel, passing the Rosari Monumental — a series of sculptures created by artists including Antoni Gaudí and Josep Llimona.

History of the Santa Cova Funicular

The Santa Cova Funicular was built in 1929 by the FMGP company, which also owned the Sant Joan Funicular. Both funiculars have been operated by FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) since 1986.

The line has been renovated twice, in 1963 and 1991. However, severe floods in July 2000 damaged the lower station and one of the trains. Following a complete restoration, new panoramic vehicles were introduced, and the funicular reopened in June 2001.

Image Gallery For Montserrat Cremallera and Funiculars

Click on any of the 37 images to open full screen gallery player. Note that viewing images is subject to our Fair Use Policy.

Visiting Montserrat via the Cremallera & Funiculars

If you’ve chosen to reach the Montserrat Monastery by the Cremallera rack railway instead of the cable car, you can purchase a combined return ticket. This covers the FGC train from Barcelona (R5 or R50 lines) to Monistrol de Montserrat, and the Cremallera railway up to the monastery.

Funicular Tickets

Tickets for the Sant Joan Funicular and Santa Cova Funicular can be purchased at the ticket offices on the day:

Other Attractions at Montserrat

8.00€ Montserrat Museum
Free entry to Montserrat basilica
3.50€ Throne of the Virgin (Black Madonna)

Cremallera & Funiculars with a Dog

Dogs are permitted on the Cremallera railway, Sant Joan Funicular, and Santa Cova Funicular, and travel free under the following conditions:

Muzzle: Required
Leash: Required
Small animals: Must travel in baskets or cages and cannot occupy a seat

Additional rules apply to dogs considered dangerous breeds under Spanish Law 10/1999:

Cannot be under the control of a minor under 16 years of age
Must be on a leash no longer than 2 m
Owner must carry an accreditation license for the animal (Decree 170/2002 and Royal Decree 287/2002)
Only one dangerous breed dog may be controlled per person

Accessibility & What to Bring for Montserrat Cremallera & Funiculars

The Cremallera de Montserrat rack railway and its stations are fully adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. Elevators, ramps, and accessible carriages make this the best option for visitors who require step‑free access to the Montserrat Monastery.

By contrast, the Sant Joan Funicular and Santa Cova Funicular are not accessible for wheelchairs or those with mobility limitations, as both involve steep gradients and stairs at the stations.

For a comfortable Montserrat day trip from Barcelona, bring a small rucksack with essentials: at least 1–2 litres of water, sun cream, and a light jacket depending on the season. If you plan to explore the Montserrat mountain trails after arriving, wear sturdy footwear suitable for uneven paths and viewpoints.

Tickets for Montserrat Cremallera & Funiculars

Getting to Montserrat by Train and Cremallera

Address: Monestir de Montserrat, Monistrol de Montserrat, 08199

The easiest way to reach the Montserrat Monastery is by combining the FGC train from Barcelona with the Cremallera rack railway. A combined ticket can be purchased directly at Plaça Espanya FGC station, covering both the train journey and the rack railway ascent.

Take the R5 or R50 line from Barcelona Plaça Espanya to Monistrol de Montserrat. From there, transfer to the Cremallera de Montserrat, which climbs to the monastery in about 30 minutes. This option is ideal for those asking how to get to Montserrat from Barcelona by train.

The Montserrat train schedule varies seasonally, with services generally running from early morning until evening. The Sant Joan and Santa Cova Funiculars typically operate from 10:00h until between 18:00h and 19:00h, depending on the season. Note that the funiculars close for approximately 30 days each year, usually in February or March, for annual maintenance.

For the latest timetables and ticket prices, consult the official Cremallera de Montserrat website or FGC network information.

Documents for Montserrat Cremallera and Funiculars

Map for Montserrat Cremallera and Funiculars

Weather for Montserrat Cremallera and Funiculars

Mountain Forecast weather for Montserrat Mountain

Accommodation at Montserrat Monastery

For those wishing to extend their Montserrat day trip from Barcelona into an overnight stay, the monastery complex offers several options, ranging from hotels to a simple campsite. Staying here allows you to enjoy the Montserrat viewpoints at sunrise and sunset, when the mountain is at its most peaceful.

Montserrat Abat Marcet — serviced apartments ideal for families or longer stays.
Hotel Abat Cisneros — a historic hotel located next to the basilica, offering traditional Catalan hospitality.
Apartamentos Montserrat Abat Marcet — self‑catering apartments within the monastery complex.
Area Esportiva i d'Acampada de Montserrat — a simple and affordable campsite (3.5€ per tent + 4€ per adult), about 10 minutes’ walk from the monastery via the Sant Miquel path towards the Creu de Sant Miquel. Open only in summer, it is popular with mountain climbers and hikers. Reservations can be made by calling (+34) 93 77 77 77.