Montserrat cable car or rack railway?
There are two ways up from the valley to Montserrat monastery: the Aeri, a cable car, and the Cremallera, a rack railway. Both connect with the R5 train from Barcelona and both arrive at the same place. What changes is where you board, how long it takes and who each one suits.
| Aeri (cable car) | Cremallera (rack railway) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you board | Montserrat-Aeri station, on the R5 | Monistrol de Montserrat, one stop further |
| Journey time | About 5 minutes | About 20 minutes including the change |
| By car | Free parking (C-55) | Free parking at Monistrol Vila |
| Reduced mobility | – | Train, rack railway and stations accessible |
| Ticket on its own | From 12,50 € return | Varies by season (FGC fares) |
| With the Trans Montserrat | Included | Included |
Figures from the official websites of the Cremallera de Montserrat (FGC) and the Aeri de Montserrat.
You take one of the two ways up: the Trans and Tot Montserrat tickets include either.
Going by train from Barcelona
Take the FGC R5 from Plaça d'Espanya towards Manresa (one train an hour). The simplest ticket is the Trans Montserrat (50,00 €): metro, the train there and back, the ride up by cable car or rack railway, the funiculars and entry to the Basilica. With it, the choice comes down to preference:
- Cable car if you want to get up faster: about 5 minutes to the top.
- Rack railway if anyone in your group has reduced mobility: FGC has adapted it, along with the train and the stations.
Buy the Trans Montserrat · €50 Train, cable car or rack railway, and funiculars.
Going by car
Both have free parking at the bottom: the cable car next to the C-55 road between Abrera and Manresa, and the rack railway at Monistrol Vila, the station built for cars and coaches. Leave the car below and go up on either.
The cable car is not a funicular
The Aeri often gets called a funicular, but it is a cable car. Montserrat's funiculars are two other lines, and they leave from the top: Sant Joan, which climbs towards the walking routes, and Santa Cova, which goes down to the Holy Cave. They are not always running and cannot be booked: you queue.
The whole journey from Barcelona, the tickets and whether the Tot Montserrat is worth it are in Montserrat from Barcelona.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the cable car or the rack railway?
It depends on how you arrive. By train from Barcelona they cost the same if you buy the Trans Montserrat, which includes either. The Aeri cable car is quicker, about 5 minutes. For the rack railway, FGC says the train, the rack railway and its stations are adapted for people with reduced mobility.
Is the Montserrat cable car a funicular?
No, the Aeri is a cable car. Montserrat's funiculars are two different lines, Sant Joan and Santa Cova, which leave from the top, next to the monastery.
How much is the Montserrat cable car?
According to its official website, from 12,50 € return and 8,75 € one way, up or down. If you are coming by train from Barcelona, the Trans Montserrat (50,00 €) already includes it along with the train.
Where do I park for the rack railway?
At Monistrol Vila, the station meant for people arriving by car or coach, which has free parking. The Aeri cable car also has free parking next to the C-55 road.
Which train station do I get off at?
On the R5 from Plaça d'Espanya: Montserrat-Aeri for the cable car, or one stop later, Monistrol de Montserrat, for the rack railway.
Checked 23 October 2026. Sources: FGC (Cremallera de Montserrat) · Aeri de Montserrat · Turisme de Barcelona (Trans Montserrat)