Thanks so much! We'd love any transportation info we can get!!!
Found this info by googling "Montserrat on your own"
August 5th, 2008, 09:24 AM
For our day in Barcelona I would like to see Montserrat.
I would appreciate if someone could give instructions from the port to the train station and assess if doing this on your own is advisable.
lambs2
August 5th, 2008, 09:41 AM
The most thrilling way to arrive at Montserrat is by train and cable car from Barcelona. FGC trains (line R5: Montserrat-Manresa) leave from beneath Plaça d'Espanya daily 8.36am-3.36pm at hourly intervals; get off at Montserrat Aeri, just under an hour away. From here, a cable car (the Telefèric de Montserrat Aeri; every 15min, daily 10am-1.45pm & 3-6.35pm) completes the journey, a five-minute swoop up the sheer mountainside to a spot just below the monastery - probably the most exhilarating ride in Catalunya. If being suspended on cable at great height is not your thing, take the bus; a half-hour ride departing ten minutes after the trains pull in. A return ticket, including train and cable car, costs 11.50, and there are also two combined tickets: the Transmontserrat, which includes the metro, train, cable car and the two funiculars on the mountain (17.40 return) and the Totmontserrat which includes all of this plus museum entry, unlimited use of funiculars, lunch and a five-percent accommodation discount (29.50); both tickets are available from any FGC station. Returning to Barcelona, the trains back from Montserrat Aeri station are again hourly, this time from 10.35am to 6.35pm.
Practically, the first train you can get from Placa d'Espanya to Monserrat is the 8.36 (on the R5 route). This is because both the cable car and Cremella (rack railway) don't start operating until this train arrives at their respective stations. Aim to get to Placa d'Espanya by 8.15am and wait for the train to pull in to the platform. As this is essentially a commuter train, there is lots of standing room and not very many seats. So, when the train doors open, do not be polite! Get on the train as quick as you can and grab a seat...its a 1 hour trip to Monserrat!
***(We have not done this yet, but plan to in January 09. All above info info is from other Cruise Critic posts).
lambs2
August 5th, 2008, 09:43 AM
The most thrilling way to arrive at Montserrat is by train and cable car from Barcelona. FGC trains (line R5: Montserrat-Manresa) leave from beneath Plaça d'Espanya daily 8.36am-3.36pm at hourly intervals; get off at Montserrat Aeri, just under an hour away. From here, a cable car (the Telefèric de Montserrat Aeri; every 15min, daily 10am-1.45pm & 3-6.35pm) completes the journey, a five-minute swoop up the sheer mountainside to a spot just below the monastery - probably the most exhilarating ride in Catalunya. If being suspended on cable at great height is not your thing, take the bus; a half-hour ride departing ten minutes after the trains pull in. A return ticket, including train and cable car, costs 11.50, and there are also two combined tickets: the Transmontserrat, which includes the metro, train, cable car and the two funiculars on the mountain (17.40 return) and the Totmontserrat which includes all of this plus museum entry, unlimited use of funiculars, lunch and a five-percent accommodation discount (29.50); both tickets are available from any FGC station. Returning to Barcelona, the trains back from Montserrat Aeri station are again hourly, this time from 10.35am to 6.35pm.
Practically, the first train you can get from Placa d'Espanya to Monserrat is the 8.36 (on the R5 route). This is because both the cable car and Cremella (rack railway) don't start operating until this train arrives at their respective stations. Aim to get to Placa d'Espanya by 8.15am and wait for the train to pull in to the platform. As this is essentially a commuter train, there is lots of standing room and not very many seats. So, when the train doors open, do not be polite! Get on the train as quick as you can and grab a seat...its a 1 hour trip to Monserrat!
***(We have not done this yet, but plan to in January 09. All above info is from other Cruise Critic posts).
sddsddean
August 5th, 2008, 03:14 PM
Just one addendum, if you don't fancy the cable car, you can use the rack railway (Cremella) which leaves from Monistrol, which is the next station after Monserrat Aeri. The rack train will be waiting for you at the end of the platform and takes about 30 mins to get up to the monastery.
Also, be aware of your departure time and make sure you leave enough time to get back to the ship.
Simon
iancal
August 11th, 2008, 09:24 PM
lambs2 is vorrect. We were in Barcelona (not on a cruise though) last May and did this exactly. It was a snap and we had a wonderful day out. Would highly recommend it. We had no issue with the train, lots of seats on our train. BUT...be careful and ensure that you get on the right train. As I recall you need to pay attention and read the signs.
nho9504
August 11th, 2008, 11:43 PM
This info is 2008 but this is how we went in 2007.
Someone else might have more recent info.
The main thing :
If you don't want to ride the cable car , DON'T get off at Montserrat Aeri.
Get off at the next stop and change to the rack railway. VERY easy to do !
Searching for info ..... I learned from one of the DisBoard Moderators that it's easier to find info by just Googling rather than using the disboards search engine !!
I think (for selfish reasons) it would be nice not to have a sold-out cruise. That way it won't be as busy/crazy/crowded. But then again, I have never cruised before so I am just assuming. Gosh, I can't wait! So excited! 
Are you in the same boat, so to speak? Oh well, it'll be a happy day when either of those things happen.
).
