Visiting Montserrat is one of the best things you can do near Barcelona, and the rack railway (Cremallera de Montserrat) is one of the easiest and most scenic ways to get there.
In just 20 minutes, the Montserrat rack railway takes you from Monistrol de Montserrat up to the monastery. Tickets cost €9 one way or €15 return.
Best Montserrat Rack railway tickets
If you’re traveling from Barcelona, the easiest way to take the Montserrat rack railway train is usually with a combined ticket or an organized tour. These options save you from having to buy separate tickets at different stations.
1. Montserrat Rack Railway Tickets, Museum & Audio Guide
This Montserrat ticket is the best option if you mainly want transport included: train from Barcelona, rack railway access and the essential journey to Montserrat without paying for the full Tot Montserrat package.
Best basic transport pass
2. Tot Montserrat Card
Compare Montserrat Combined Tickets for Independent Travelers
See what is included in each Montserrat ticket option before choosing the best pass for your day trip from Barcelona and choose a date to unlock pricing and full details for each option...
Montserrat Mountain Card → 🛒
Train from Barcelona · Rack Railway · Moreneta Access
Montserrat Mountain Card + Choir → 🛒
Train from Barcelona · Rack Railway · Moreneta · Escolania
3. Montserrat Tour from Barcelona
Choose a Montserrat tour from Barcelona if you prefer transport, a guide and the rack railway experience organised for you. This is the easiest option if you do not want to manage train connections or tickets yourself.
Best guided option
Table of Contents
What is the Montserrat Rack Railway?
The Montserrat rack railway, known as the Cremallera de Montserrat, is a mountain railway that connects Monistrol de Montserrat with the monastery. The trip takes about 20 minutes and climbs over 500 meters in elevation—534 meters, to be exact—making it one of the most efficient ways to reach Montserrat.
It is undoubtedly the most comfortable option. These modern rack-and-pinion trains feature large windows, making the trip more relaxing than the Montserrat cable car. Along the way, you’ll enjoy incredible views that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
How to Take the Montserrat Rack Railway (Step by Step)
Traveling on the Montserrat rack railway train is easy, but there are a few steps you should know to avoid any confusion.
Step 1: Get to Monistrol de Montserrat
First, you need to get to Monistrol de Montserrat, which is the starting point of the Montserrat rack railway. The easiest way is to take the FGC train from Plaça d’Espanya (Barcelona) on the R5 line to Monistrol de Montserrat (which is the stop for the Montserrat rack railway).
If you’re coming by car, you can park at the Monistrol Vila station. There is ample outdoor and covered parking. It’s free for Montserrat rack-and-pinion railway users. There’s also a charging station for electric vehicles.
If you board at the first stop, Monistrol de Montserrat, the entire trip takes about 20 minutes; most visitors who come by car or bus board at Monistrol Vila, the first stop on the Montserrat Rack Railway, and the trip from there takes about 13 minutes.
Step 2: Buy your Montserrat rack railway tickets
Once you arrive at the Monistrol Vila station (if you’re coming by car or another), you can purchase your ticket for the rack-railway right at the station. If you’re coming from Barcelona with a combined transportation ticket, you’ll transfer in Monistrol de Montserrat.
If you want a single ticket that combines transportation with a basic admission ticket to the monastery that lets you see the highlights, this is the best option:
Selected by The Ultimate Montserrat Guide for simplicity, convenience and first-time visitors.
If you’re traveling on your own, by car or another mode of transportation, you’ll need to purchase a separate ticket for the rack railway. You’ll also need tickets for specific attractions at the monastery, such as the Museum, the Audiovisual Space, or the timed-entry visit to the Black Virgin, depending on what you’d like to see.
Ticket Only (Montserrat Ticket)
Buying a combined ticket in advance is usually the easiest option, as it covers the main transportation connections and avoids having to buy separate tickets at different points along the route.
Montserrat Rack Railway Tickets & Prices (2026).
Rack railway only: €9 one way and €15 (round trip)
For most first-time visitors, a combined ticket such as Tot Montserrat or the official Rack Railway, Museum Tickets & Audio Guide ticket from Barcelona — which includes the train, rack railway, museum entry and an audio guide — is usually the easiest and most convenient.
Prices may vary slightly depending on the season, so it’s always a good idea to check them in advance.
Prefer a guided experience?
Compare the best Montserrat tours from Barcelona — rack railway, small group and private options.
Montserrat Rack Railway Schedule and Timetable
| Season | First train up (Monistrol de Montserrat) | Last train up (Monistrol de Montserrat) | Last return train (Monistrol de Montserrat) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low season | 07:48 | 17:48 | 18:15 |
| Mid season | 07:48 | 18:48 | 19:15 |
| High season | 07:48 | 19:48 | 20:15 |
Christmas Day (Dec 25): reduced schedule, last departure from Montserrat at 14:15.
Frequency: trains typically run every 20 minutes, but this can vary by season — check the timetable above.
- 20 minMonistrol de Montserrat
- 13 minMonistrol-Vila
The two boards work together. The timetable is printed in four colour bands, and every date in the calendar is printed in one of those same colours: find your date, check its colour, then read the band of that colour. First train up leaves Monistrol de Montserrat at 7.48 and reaches Montserrat at 8.08; the last train down changes with the season. Christmas Day runs a reduced timetable with the last departure at 14.15 h. Tap either board to read it full size. Photographed at the station, 2026 season. Always check the operator’s website before travelling.
Looking for Montserrat rack railway tickets?
See all rack railway ticket options, from basic tickets to guided tours.
Is the Montserrat Rack Railway Worth It?
Yes, the Montserrat Rack Railway is worth it for most visitors. It is one of the most comfortable and convenient ways to reach Montserrat Monastery. It is especially recommended if you prefer a peaceful ride, want to avoid heights, are travelling with family or have limited mobility.
In my opinion, the rack railway is the best option for most first-time visitors. But if you have an adventurous spirit and enjoy more intense experiences, the Montserrat Cable Car may be the better choice.
If you are still not sure which option to choose, read my full comparison here: Montserrat Rack Railway or Cable Car: Which One Is Better?
Real experience My experience taking the Montserrat Rack Railway Optional reading
Today I arrived at Monistrol Vila station at 09:00 am with the intention of taking the Montserrat rack railway. When I arrived, I spent some time exploring where everything was: the ticket offices, the indoor parking, the access points to the rack railway, and the electric car charging stations in the indoor parking. Everything felt calm at that time.
Some buses started to arrive, and tourists began to gather in front of the ticket offices. After checking the departure times (as it’s March, trains run every 40 minutes), I went to buy my ticket. This time, just a one-way ticket.
I went down to the platform using the stairs and waited for the train. Right on time, like a Swiss watch, it arrived exactly at the scheduled time. At 9:15 am, we boarded the train.
Naturally, everyone wants to sit on the left side in the direction of travel, right next to the window — no one wants the aisle. So before I even realized it, and it happened very quickly, there wasn’t a single seat left.
A tip: I’ve done this route several times, so if you want to enjoy those views from a window seat, you’d better be quick and agile. If possible, try to sit on the left side at the beginning of the journey for the best views.
The journey is calm, offering wonderful views of the north face of Montserrat mountain. Some of the most iconic rock formations of this incredible mountain appear before your eyes.
During the ride, you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views. In the distance, snow-covered peaks, and at the foot of the mountain, the plain that stretches beyond the village of Monistrol de Montserrat.
A tip: the views of the north face are lost halfway along the rack railway route. So it’s a good idea to stay by the window in the direction of travel during the first half of the journey, and then switch to the opposite seat in the second half, so you can continue enjoying the best views and take in the entire landscape that unfolds before you.
The Montserrat rack railway runs like a Swiss clock — exactly fifteen minutes later, it arrives at the destination station: Montserrat. Passengers get off quickly, but the Montserrat monastery remains there, as always, untouched by the passage of time.
You’ve just discovered a new way to reach Montserrat: the Montserrat rack railway. You might be wondering what it feels like once you’re inside. Below, I’ve included a video of the experience so you can see it for yourself.
If after this you feel this is the best option for you, you can book a tour to reach your destination using the Montserrat rack railway here.
If the rack railway feels like the right option for your visit, this guided Montserrat tour includes the rack railway from Monistrol and adds a full-day wine experience near Barcelona.
If, on the other hand, you’re more interested in reaching Montserrat in a more exciting way, you’ll probably find my Montserrat cable car video very interesting. You can watch the video here. You can also read the Montserrat cable car article here.
Tips for Taking the Montserrat Rack Railway
Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your experience:
Get on quickly, especially if you want a good window seat. But be polite. Seats fill up very fast, especially on the left side of the train as it travels.
Check the schedules in advance, as frequency and last trains vary by season.
Looking for Montserrat rack railway tickets?
See all rack railway ticket options, from basic tickets to guided tours.
FAQ
Is the Montserrat rack railway worth it?
Yes. The Montserrat rack railway is worth it for most visitors because it is comfortable, scenic and very easy to use. It is especially recommended if you want a smooth journey, large windows, panoramic mountain views and a simple arrival close to Montserrat Monastery.
How long does the Montserrat rack railway take?
The Montserrat rack railway takes about 20 minutes from Monistrol de Montserrat to Montserrat. During the journey, the train climbs more than 500 meters and offers wide views of the mountain, the valley and the surrounding landscape.
Where does the Montserrat rack railway leave from?
The Montserrat rack railway departs from the Monistrol de Montserrat station. If you’re traveling from Barcelona, you can take the FGC’s R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya and transfer there to the rack railway.
Can I take the Montserrat rack railway from Barcelona?
Not directly. From Barcelona, take the FGC R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya to Monistrol de Montserrat, then transfer to the Montserrat rack railway. This is one of the easiest public transportation routes to reach Montserrat Monastery.
Is the Montserrat rack railway better than the cable car?
The rack railway is better if you want comfort, space, large windows and a smoother journey. The cable car is better if you want a shorter and more dramatic ride. For most visitors, the rack railway is the easier and more comfortable option.
Can I park at Monistrol Vila and take the rack railway?
Yes. If you arrive by car, you can park at Monistrol Vila station and take the rack railway up to Montserrat. This is a practical option because you avoid driving all the way up to the monastery area and still enjoy the mountain train experience.
Continue exploring Montserrat
If this guide helped you plan your visit, then it has done its job.
Sergio López Prieto · Local Montserrat Expert
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