The Montserrat Cable Car, also known as the Aeri de Montserrat, is one of the most spectacular ways to reach the Montserrat Monastery. In just 5 minutes, it climbs more than 500 meters in elevation and offers incredible views of the Montserrat mountain.
Today I left home with one clear intention: to show you what is, in my opinion, the most beautiful and spectacular way to reach the Montserrat Monastery. I’ve experienced the Montserrat cable car many times with friends and family, and the reaction is always the same — surprise and excitement as the views open up.
In this guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know before taking the Montserrat cable car: tickets, prices, opening hours, how to get there from Barcelona, and whether it’s better than the rack railway.
Contents
What is the Montserrat Cable Car (Aeri de Montserrat)?
The Aeri de Montserrat is a historic cable car at the foot of the Llobregat River that takes visitors up to the Montserrat Monastery. It was inaugurated in 1930, and if you ask for my opinion, I would say that, of all the ways to reach the monastery, this is without a doubt the best. If you are visiting Montserrat from Barcelona, it is also one of the most scenic ways to get there.
It is one of the most spectacular ways to access the monastery. The journey lasts only a few minutes, and in those few minutes it overcomes a great difference in elevation while offering you magnificent views of the north face of the Montserrat mountain. A curious fact is that the original system was designed following Swiss alpine cable car technology, and despite the necessary changes to adapt to modern times, it still maintains much of its historical structure, which makes it one of the most emblematic tourist cable cars in Catalonia.
Video
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Watch the full Cable car video here
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Watch the rack railway video here
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Quick Facts About the Montserrat Cable Car
| Fact | Information |
| Official name | Aeri de Montserrat |
| Location | Montserrat Mountain, near Barcelona. North face of the massif. |
| Year of inauguration | 1930 |
| Journey duration | Approximately 5 minutes |
| Route length | 1,350 meters |
| Elevation gain | Approximately 545 meters |
| Lower station | Aeri de Montserrat station, next to the Llobregat River. |
| Upper station | Near the Montserrat Monastery |
| Cabin capacity | Approximately 35 people, and believe me when I tell you that it fills up. I explain this further below in this article. |
| Transport type | Aerial cable car |
Where to take the Montserrat Cable Car?
The lower station of the Montserrat cable car (Aeri de Montserrat) is located next to the Aeri de Montserrat train stop, on the R5 line from Barcelona, and right by the Llobregat River. If you are coming by car, you can park directly next to the station, just before crossing the bridge. The access is very easy and well signposted, so you won’t have any trouble finding it. If you arrive by train, simply get off at “Aeri de Montserrat” station, and you will see the cable car right in front of you.
As someone who lives nearby and has done this many times, I can tell you that getting here is very straightforward. In the image below, you can see exactly where to go, where to park, and how to access the cable car station depending on how you arrive.
How to get from Barcelona to the Montserrat Cable Car?
This is one of the easiest and most scenic ways to reach Montserrat from Barcelona. The Montserrat cable car (Aeri de Montserrat) is located about 45 km from Barcelona and can be reached in less than an hour by train, by car or guided tour.
By train (best option for most travellers)
Take the FGC R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya (Barcelona) towards Manresa. Get off at “Aeri de Montserrat” station — the cable car is right in front of you. This is the easiest and most popular way to reach the Montserrat cable car from Barcelona.
By car (most flexible option)
Drive from Barcelona to the Aeri de Montserrat parking area. The journey takes around 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. Parking is free and located right next to the cable car station.
By guided tour (most convenient option)
If you prefer everything organised, you can book a Montserrat tour from Barcelona that includes transport and skip-the-line tickets.
Check availability and current prices for the Montserrat cable car here.
Montserrat Cable Car Tickets and Price
Montserrat cable car tickets cost €15 for a round trip for adults and €7.50 for children up to 13 years old. Children under 4 years old can travel for free. Discounts may be available for groups, seniors (over 65), large families and single-parent families, so it is worth checking before buying your tickets.
You can buy Montserrat cable car tickets directly at the station or online in advance, which is recommended during weekends and peak season to avoid queues.
| Ticket | type |
| Adult | €15 |
| Child (4–13) | €7.50 |
| Under 4 | Free |
Where to buy Montserrat cable car tickets
You can buy the tickets online, or you can buy them at the ticket office. If you buy them online, you will arrive and you will be able to go directly to the queue. If this is the best option for you, you can do it easily here.
If you prefer to compare prices or availability on other platforms, you can also check these options:
If you buy them at the ticket office, the ticket office usually opens about 15 minutes before the first ascent, you will have to buy them and then join the queue. I did it this way and I had no problem.
As I told you at the beginning, today I came to the Aeri de Montserrat to tell you firsthand what it is like to take the Montserrat Cable Car.
Montserrat Cable Car Opening Hours and Schedule
Montserrat cable car opening hours vary depending on the season, but the first cable car usually departs at 9:30 am.
The last descent depends on the time of year: during most of the year it is around 5:15 pm on weekdays and around 6:15 pm on weekends and holidays, although in some months it can extend until 7:00 pm.
| Detail | Information |
| First cable car | 09:30 |
| Frequency | Every 15 minutes |
| Last descent (weekdays) | Around 17:15 |
| Last descent (weekends) | Around 18:15 |
| Extended hours (some months) | Up to 19:00 |
Schedules change depending on the season, so it is always recommended to check the official timetable before your visit.
As you can see in the official timetable, the last cable car down usually runs at 17:15 on weekdays and 18:15 on weekends and holidays.
How long does the Montserrat Cable Car journey take?
The Montserrat cable car journey takes about 5 minutes. In that short time, it climbs more than 500 metres in elevation, making it one of the fastest ways to reach the Montserrat Monastery. To give you an idea, a typical hiking pace gains around 300 metres per hour — so this is a very quick ascent. My advice: relax and enjoy the ride, because it will feel much shorter than you expect.
Is the Montserrat Cable Car scary?
The Montserrat cable car is not scary, although it can feel a bit intense if you are not used to heights.
Rather than fear, most people experience it as a moment of excitement. I have been on this cable car many times, and every time it feels different. I remember going up with close friends for the first time — their reaction was always the same: surprise, emotion, and that inevitable “wow” moment as the views open up. If you are slightly afraid of heights, you might feel a bit of adrenaline at the beginning, but it quickly turns into one of the most memorable parts of the visit.
Is the Montserrat Cable Car worth it?
Yes, the Montserrat cable car is absolutely worth it.
It is not just a way to reach the monastery — it is part of the experience. In just a few minutes, you get incredible views of the mountain that you simply cannot experience any other way. If you are looking for the most scenic and memorable way to reach Montserrat, this is it. If I had to recommend only one option, I would choose the cable car every time.
Montserrat Cable Car or Rack Railway: which is better?
If you are deciding between the Montserrat cable car or the rack railway, the main difference is the experience. The Montserrat cable car is faster and much more scenic, offering open views of the mountain during the ascent. The rack railway, on the other hand, is more comfortable and better suited if you prefer a relaxed journey with more space. In my opinion, if it’s your first time visiting Montserrat, the cable car is the most spectacular option and the one I would recommend.
On this other page, I’ll tell you all about the Montserrat Rack Railway, so you can decide which is better: the Montserrat cable car vs the rack railway?
| Option | Best for |
| Cable car | Views & experience |
| Rack railway | Comfort & space |
Montserrat Cable Car Parking: where to park your car
The Aeri de Montserrat cable car has two parking areas: an outdoor parking lot and an indoor one located just after crossing the bridge. Both parking areas are free of charge and are generally well maintained. The indoor parking has a smaller capacity and includes a partially covered section. However, it has a height restriction, so it may not be suitable for all vehicles.
In most cases, you will find available spaces, as the parking areas are relatively large. If you are driving from Barcelona, parking at the Montserrat cable car is a convenient and practical option.
Tips for taking the Montserrat Cable Car (avoid queues & best time)
Go early to avoid queues
The Montserrat Cable Car makes its first ascent at 09:30 am. At that time there are always people waiting to enter. They have already bought their ticket online and are eager to go up first. Sometimes the first departure is not always the best, and remember that the cable car leaves every 15 minutes. Maybe 15 minutes later you will go up alone or with much fewer people. Remember that you can buy the ticket online here or also at the ticket offices, which open around 09:15 am to buy the tickets on site.
Try to position yourself on the side with views of the mountain
If you manage to get in among the first, it is a good idea to position yourself facing the mountain. You will have the best views. You will be able to make videos and get a good panoramic view as you get closer to the upper station. I tell you about it in this video.
Avoid weekends if possible
On weekends there is always more crowd. A weekday during the first hours will give you an experience that will be much more satisfying than a day when the number of people is much higher.
Bring your camera ready for the views
Your choice. Maybe you feel like recording, or maybe you feel like not recording and enjoying that moment by putting all your attention into it. You can position yourself at the front, if you manage to get a spot, and feel a little like Spielberg making your first attempts during the journey. If you want to know what it feels like, watch this video that I have made for you, where you will be able to see what it is like to go up in the Montserrat Cable Car.
When should you go to avoid queues at the Montserrat cable car?
Everyone wants to arrive and be the first to enter, position themselves well and have the best views. The cable car fills up, generally early in the morning. But there is a trick that I can tell you. I can tell you in advance that the first ride of the day is not always the best, and sometimes 15 minutes do not matter. Read my experience from today a little further down and it will surely help you decide what is best for you.
My experience riding the Montserrat cable car
Today I woke up early to come and tell you firsthand what it is like to take the Montserrat Cable Car. The cable car is the most beautiful, easy and direct way to access the heart of the Montserrat mountain.
You will be able to take the cable car early in the morning and arrive at the Monastery and enjoy your one-day excursion in Montserrat to take home a memory that you will never forget.
I arrived via the wonderful winding road B-112 and in just 15 minutes and eight kilometers, at nine in the morning, I was already in the outdoor parking of the Aeri de Montserrat. This parking area, just like the one located after the bridge next to the cable car, is free and monitored. So you can leave your vehicle here if you come by car or something similar.
Today we have a bit of fog! On cloudy days, many people think they are grey days, but I assure you that behind that slightly sad landscape, an incredible sea of clouds is hidden, and above it, a fantastic sun will soon welcome us.
At 09:15, the ticket offices open to buy the ticket and at that very moment the first tourists appear, coming by train on the R5 line that comes from Barcelona and goes to Manresa. Many of these tourists already have their ticket. They have bought it online, so they automatically join the queue, ready to be the first to go up on the Montserrat Cable Car.
I went to the ticket office and bought my ticket. This time only one way. If you wonder why, it is because I love walking and running in the mountains. My goal today is to show you how to go up with the Montserrat Cable Car, but afterwards my option will be to go down walking along a route that from the Monastery takes you back to the Aeri de Montserrat parking in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. I tell you about it here.
If you want to buy your ticket online so you don’t waste a single second, you’re one of my kind. So, to make the most of this experience, you can get your tickets with advance booking here.
A little before half past nine I enter with my companions on this short journey on the Montserrat Cable Car and, with a bit of “skill and patience”, I manage to place myself at the front of the cable car, despite entering among the last.
The cable car starts moving and I always get the same feeling—it’s incredible. I let out a “wow!” I look at the cables and see how they disappear into the immensity of the fog. It seems as if our destination is a huge, colossal cloud.
The Montserrat Cable Car moves quickly and steadily and we are already inside that gloomy cloud of fog that gives this journey an air of mystery. Soon we manage to pass through the thick layer of fog; in the mountains this phenomenon is usually called a sea of clouds.
You might be wondering, what is it like to be inside the Montserrat Cable Car? I can tell you that it is completely safe and, as a picture is worth a thousand words, if your curiosity is sparked, you can see it here.
As you can imagine, shortly afterwards I arrived at my destination: the upper station of the Montserrat Cable Car. Once outside, you have wonderful views and in just five minutes walking you will reach the Plaça de Santa Maria of the Montserrat Monastery.
About the sea of clouds, I can already tell you that it is an incredible experience. Sometimes the days begin like this, a little grey, but once you go up above the sea of clouds, you will find a wonderful sun and a spectacular day.
And that is how it was. After that sea of clouds, of which I show you a photo here, the Montserrat mountain offered me a magnificent day, with a splendid sun. What more could you ask for?
Today I have already told you how to reach the Montserrat Monastery in the most beautiful way that I know. Now all that is left is for you to enjoy a spectacular day and the wonders that this fascinating place is going to offer you.
Remember that the last descent with the Montserrat Cable Car is at 5:15 pm on weekdays and at 6:15 pm on holidays and weekends.
I’ll let you in on a secret: If you want to walk back down, there’s a path that will take you right back to where you parked your car. If you’re interested, I’ll tell you all about it here.
If you want, you can also watch the full video of how this experience has been. Feel free to leave me your comments if you would like to share with me what you think about this article, what you need, or how I can help you improve your experience.
If I have been able to help you today, my goal has been achieved.
Written by Sergio López Prieto, local expert on Montserrat.
See you in Montserrat.
Gallery. More images of the Montserrat cable car experience.
Frequently asked questions about the Montserrat cable car
How much does the Montserrat cable car cost?
€15 for adults and €7.50 for children. Discounts may apply. See full details above.
Is the cable car or the rack railway better?
The cable car is more scenic, while the rack railway is more comfortable. See full comparison above.
How long does the Montserrat Cable Car take?
Around 5 minutes. It is one of the fastest ways to reach the monastery.
Can you go up with a stroller or a wheelchair?
Strollers can be taken on the cable car, but you have to keep in mind that there are stairs at the upper station.
As for wheelchairs, there are no elevators at the upper station of the Aeri de Montserrat, so it is not recommended to use the Aeri.
Is the Montserrat Cable Car scary?
Not really. It may feel intense at first, but most people find it exciting rather than scary.