Barcelona trip...Montseratt?

Enric explained recently in another thread that the Renfe web site doesn't have complete info on trains in Catalunya. I think you may find a useful link if you Google something like: train Barcelona to Montserrat. I'm traveling and using a tablet on which I have yet to figure out how to copy and paste links (or anything else).

However, are you sure you want to commit yourself to a specific day in advance? Isn't Montserrat a destination for which you'd want a day with good weather? I believe many people go up there for the walks.

Montserrat is worth the trip as long as you know going in that you will need most of your day. I went with the family a few years ago and remember it being relatively easy to buy the train tickets at the train station which is easy to get to from the metro. You just need to decide which way you want to get to the top of the mountain as the train stops at 2 different stations. Google train to Montserrat and you should find good info.

http://www.montserrat-tourist-guide.com/en/hotels/montserrat-hotel.html
We will be in Barcelona at the same time😃! I wanted to stay overnight and so although this link includes that info there are also very useful links at the bottom. I was going to look into getting the combo tickets at the big store in Placa de Catalunya the day before, although I like booking ahead thus sounds like it's not necessary. Have a wonderful time; so excited!

We did this last May and it was the only thing we didn't reserve ahead. We didn't need to. There was plenty of room on the train, more like a metro train then a traditional seat train. If you don't get a seat, you stand. When you get your ticket, you need to decide if you want to do the rack railroad or the funicular. Make sure you get a map. We did the funicular. When you get off, you just follow the line of people to the funicular and they load you. I don't remember waiting very long. The one thing I didn't catch was, if you want to hear the boys choir, they only perform for about 10 minutes and the place is packed. So, if that is important, plan to arrive early. Also, we bought the combo tickets that included the buffet - we wished we hadn't. There is at least one cafeteria-type place or bring a picnic.

From my notes (in the end I skipped Montserrat) from another poster here on the forum:

The combo ticket worked out great: train from Barcelona, Cable Car, Funiculars and then access to the grounds. Nice time out of the city and the weather was fabulous and mountain stunning.

You can buy online now or at a TI in Barcelona. Use it any day.

Long story short: trains to Montserrat are not in the RENFE network but in a different network run by another company: FGC so for schedules to their lines check http://fgc.cat/eng/index.asp and the line to Montserrat from Barcelona is Llobregat-Anoia (R5). Remember that the origin station in Barcelona is Pl. Espanya and the destination station is different whether you choose to ascend to the monastery via the cable car (Aeri de Montserrat) or the rack train (Monistrol de Montserrat).

More info on Montserrat here: http://www.montserratvisita.com/en/index.html

You don't need to buy tickets in advance, you can do that at the station on the same day. There are plenty of both trains and also cable cars and rack trains so if you miss one you can take the next.

An interesting documentary on the "trip" to the Monastery from Barcelona, first by train, then by rack train, from a Japanese TV documentary. If you know squad of Japanese, like me, you can still enjoy it and see what's the trip like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct6oN1-UVt0

Lastly, don't forget that visiting Montserrat is far more than visiting the monastery. The whole site is a UNESCO biosphere reserve so take the opportunity and walk one of the trails. They are very well indicated and some of them are a breeze even for elderly and children.

Arturo... I doubt very much she'll be able to buy anything in Sants for this journey as the train lines there have nothing to do with the ones she needs: it's a different company all together. Her station is Plaça Espanya and she'll be able to purchase the TransMontserrat ticket there, not in Sants :))

Besides, I hope @Laura gets wind of these posts of yours that you have just started to spam us with... same exact text, just different destinations: Milan and Amsterdam. Shame on you... that's no way to promote your company's website!

My goal is to explain exactly how we did this trip in May, 2016

• Go to the Catalunya Station on Las Ramblas: do down the entrance from LaRamblas or near Cafe Zurich- they will both get you there. Purchase a ticket for 10 trips. It is 9.95 Euros and can be used by multiple people (put it in the machine and hand it to the next person in your party). Insert the card arrow in, take out the top, doors open and walk thru!)

• Find Metro Line #L1- walk a few short tunnels and turn left to find the train to Espanya. I was told L3 also will get you there but takes longer. Use your Metro ticket to access L1. Be sure you take the L1 that goes in the correct direction (towards the Hospital). Study the map to assure yourself.

• Get on the L1 and go about 4 stops and exit train at the Espana Station. The Metro has a nice lighted sign over the doors of the train so that you can watch for your exit.

• At the Espana station find the R5 Regional Train (FGC). It departs every hour at _:36. It may be sitting there early as Espana is the end of the line. At the Espana station there is a fine information center that will assist. You need to buy your Monserrat ticket at this station. You will sign signs that say in English: Easiest way to Montserrat.

• Go to the yellow ticket area machines in Espana Station. press for English and buy the combination ticket. We pressed "return" so our ticket was a round trip. You need to decide if yu want the cable car or funicular. We chose the cable- no issues with it being scary. I do NOT recommend you get the TOT Monserrat which includes lunch. Ours said "Combinat Montserrat and was 19.20 Euro each (senior rate).

• The train to Monserrat was on the right side. Be careful as some two steps and I saw a man fall onto an older woman when he left the train.

• Your train ride is about one hour and if you take the cable car, you get off at the station that indicates "Aeri" . I believe the funicular stop Monistrol is the next one. Remember that if you choose the cable or funicular that you cannot take the other one back.

• The train station has good signage and you walk to the cable car area. It takes 5 minutes to go up and is thrilling.

• Once you arrive at the top of Montserrat, go to the info center to get oriented and find a map. There are a variety of restaurants and a cafeteria which were just fine.

• If you are on your own, you may wonder what some of the lines are for. There is a long line to the right of the Cathredral which is a line to see the Black Madonna up close.

The train to go back was 10 minutes early! This time find the direction to Fondo. Just reverse your directions for the way back.

We felt quite accomplished after doing this ourselves. I would highly recommend this!

Thanks Donna, great detailed report.

Just for info, the "combinat Montserrat" is marketed as the TransMontserrat which covers all the tickets for transportation to/from Montserrat: train + either cable car or rack train + access to the two funiculars in the mountain to visit the coves and the top of one of the peaks with superb views. As Donna points, not to be confused with the TotMontserrat ('tot' means 'all' in Catalan) which includes the lunch. I personally find it not worth its cost, it's best to choose where to lunch by yourself, or even better, have a picnic in either the the picnic area, by the monastery, or in one of the many places next to the trails... much more 'romantic'.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All of this information is absolutely wonderful. Thank you. We can't wait!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All of this information is absolutely wonderful. Thank you. We can't wait!