Travel Information
How to get to Barcelona
By plane, here’s how long it would take to reach Barcelona from certain major cities:
- Rome – 1 hr. 55 min.
- Milan – 1 hr. 40 min.
- Paris – 1 hr. 45 min.
- London – 2 hrs. 15 min.
- Berlin – 2 hrs. 45 min.
- New York – 8 hrs.
- Doha – 6 hrs. 30 min.
How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona
BY CAR
From Barcelona–El Prat Airport, Montserrat can be reached by car via the A-2 and C-55 highways. The distance is about 60 km, with a travel time of approximately 60–70 minutes. Parking is available near the monastery and at the base stations of the cable car (Aeri de Montserrat) and the rack railway (Cremallera).
BY TRAIN
From Barcelona’s Plaça Espanya station, regular FGC trains (R5 line to Manresa) connect to the lower stations of Montserrat: Monistrol de Montserrat (for the Cremallera rack railway) or Aeri de Montserrat (for the cable car). Travel time from Barcelona to Montserrat Abbey is about 90 minutes, including transfer.
BY BUS
Direct buses to Montserrat depart from Barcelona (e.g. from Carrer Viriat, near Sants Station). The trip takes about 75 minutes and arrives at the monastery square.
BY TAXI OR PRIVATE TRANSFER
A taxi or private transfer from Barcelona–El Prat Airport to Montserrat takes about 60 minutes. Shared transfer services are also available and may offer a more economical option.
It is recommended to reach the monastery using either the Cremallera rack railway or the Aeri cable car, both of which provide a comfortable, sustainable, and scenic access to the sanctuary.
Accomodation
The best place to stay during the congress is the Monastery of Montserrat itself. As there are no night connections for the rack railway (Cremallera) or the cable car (Aeri), it is strongly recommended that participants remain accommodated on site throughout the days of the congress.
Montserrat offers several accommodation options, ranging from simple monastic cells to hotel rooms and a hostel. Detailed information about special rates and booking procedures for congress participants will be provided shortly.
Please note that the opening day of the congress is 24 June, which is a public holiday in Catalonia. Participants are advised to carefully check the schedules of the different means of transport. In addition, those planning to arrive on 23 June should be aware that it is the night of the midsummer festival (revetlla de Sant Joan), when accommodation demand is very high both in Barcelona and Montserrat. Early booking is therefore strongly recommended.
