Sustainable Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat, Girona, Tarragona and Colònia Güell
Barcelona is an excellent base for discovering Catalonia beyond the city. From spectacular mountain landscapes and medieval towns to Roman heritage and Gaudí’s lesser-known masterpieces, many destinations can be reached by public transport.
At GaudiTours, we believe that providing clear and practical information about public transport helps travellers make informed and more sustainable mobility choices during their stay in Catalonia.
For this reason, we have prepared this guide with information on how to reach four of the destinations featured in our tours:
- Montserrat
- Girona
- Tarragona
- Colònia Güell
Whenever possible, we recommend checking the official transport websites before travelling, as timetables and services may change.
1. Montserrat: Train + Rack Railway or Cable Car
Montserrat is one of Catalonia’s most spectacular destinations and can be reached from Barcelona without a private vehicle.
From Barcelona by train
One of the most convenient options is to take the FGC R5 train from Barcelona-Plaça Espanya towards Manresa.
There are two main options for completing the journey to the monastery.
Option 1 – Train + Montserrat Rack Railway
Take the FGC train to Monistrol de Montserrat and change to the Montserrat Rack Railway (Cremallera de Montserrat).
The rack railway connects Monistrol de Montserrat with the monastery, offering a scenic journey up the mountain.
FGC currently promotes this combination as a comfortable and sustainable way of reaching the monastery from Barcelona.
Check current schedules and connections:
Montserrat – Train and Rack Railway
Option 2 – Train + Cable Car
Another option is to take the FGC R5 train to Montserrat-Aeri and continue by the Aeri de Montserrat cable car.
The cable car provides a spectacular ascent towards the monastery and is an attractive alternative for visitors who want to combine public transport with a scenic experience.
Check current information:
Parking
Visitors travelling by private vehicle can find parking facilities at the lower transport stations.
However, whenever practical, travelling by train and using the rack railway or cable car avoids the need to drive up the mountain.
Explore Montserrat with GaudiTours
If you would prefer a completely organised private experience, GaudiTours also offers a private Montserrat tour from Barcelona, with the itinerary adapted to your interests and available time.
2. Girona: Discover the City by Train
Girona is one of the easiest destinations in Catalonia to visit from Barcelona without a private vehicle.
Travelling by train
Girona railway station is centrally located and provides regional and high-speed rail connections.
For visitors staying in Barcelona, travelling by train can be a convenient alternative to driving, particularly when visiting the city for a day.
Once you arrive at Girona railway station, the historic centre and many of the city’s main attractions can be reached on foot.
Getting around Girona
Girona is a relatively compact city and many of its principal sights can be explored by walking.
For longer journeys, the city also has a local and intercity bus network.
The official Girona Tourism website provides information about public transport and mobility within the city.
Girona Tourism – Mobility and Public Transport
Parking
For visitors who need to travel by car, Girona has public and private parking facilities.
However, visitors should be aware that vehicle access to some areas of the historic centre is restricted.
For this reason, arriving by train and exploring the historic centre on foot can be a practical alternative to driving into the city.
Explore Girona with GaudiTours
Girona can also be combined with other cultural destinations in a private day trip from Barcelona.
For example, our Dalí Museum & Girona Private Tour combines the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres with a visit to Girona’s historic city.
Dalí Museum & Girona Private Tour – GaudiTours
Useful official information
3. Tarragona: Travel by Train from Barcelona
Tarragona is another excellent destination to visit without a private vehicle.
The city combines Roman heritage, medieval streets and Mediterranean scenery, making it one of the most interesting cultural day trips from Barcelona.
Travelling by train
Tarragona’s central railway station provides regional connections with destinations including Barcelona, Reus, Tortosa and Lleida, as well as longer-distance services.
For high-speed services, travellers can also use Camp de Tarragona High-Speed Railway Station, located outside the city centre.
A bus connection links Camp de Tarragona with Tarragona’s city centre.
Tarragona Tourism – How to Get to Tarragona
Exploring Tarragona without a car
Once you arrive at the central railway station, many of Tarragona’s main attractions can be explored on foot.
The historic centre and several of the city’s principal Roman heritage sites can be reached without needing a private vehicle.
For visitors arriving at Camp de Tarragona, it is important to allow additional time for the connecting bus journey into the city.
Parking
Tarragona has public parking facilities and regulated parking areas for visitors travelling by car.
However, for a day trip from Barcelona, travelling by train can be a convenient alternative to driving and looking for parking in the city.
Explore Tarragona with GaudiTours
GaudiTours also offers private excursions combining Tarragona and Reus, allowing visitors to discover the Roman heritage of Tarragona together with the birthplace and modernist heritage of Antoni Gaudí.
Tarragona & Reus – Full-Day Private Tour – GaudiTours
Useful official information
4. Colònia Güell: FGC Train + Short Walk
If you are looking for a destination that is particularly easy to visit using public transport, Colònia Güell is an excellent example.
Located just outside Barcelona, the former industrial colony is home to one of Antoni Gaudí’s most fascinating creations: the Gaudí Crypt.
Travelling by FGC
From Barcelona, take the FGC railway from Plaça Espanya.
The current FGC network information shows several services stopping at Colònia Güell station, including:
- S3
- S4
- S8
- S9
- R5
- R50
- R6
- R60
FGC also specifically promotes the S3, S4, S8 and S9 services as a direct way of reaching Colònia Güell from Barcelona-Plaça Espanya.
Check the current timetable before travelling:
From the station to the Gaudí Crypt
The Colònia Güell railway station is only a short walk from the Gaudí Crypt.
FGC describes the station as being just a few minutes’ walk from the Crypt, making the destination particularly suitable for visitors who want to discover one of Gaudí’s works without using a private vehicle.
Bicycle facilities
The station also provides bicycle parking facilities, offering another low-emission mobility option for visitors combining train travel with cycling.
Parking
Visitors travelling by private vehicle should check the available local parking areas before their visit and respect local parking regulations.
Whenever possible, we encourage visitors to use the FGC railway connection instead of travelling by private car.
Explore Colònia Güell with GaudiTours
Colònia Güell is one of our favourite destinations for visitors interested in discovering a different side of Gaudí and Catalan Modernism.
Our Colònia Güell & Gaudí Crypt private tour combines the Crypt with the history of the former industrial colony and its fascinating social and architectural heritage.
Colònia Güell & Gaudí Crypt – GaudiTours
The destination is also featured in our Montserrat & Gaudí Crypt in Colònia Güell private day tour.
Public Transport When Possible, Private Transport When Needed
At GaudiTours, we encourage our clients to use public transport and lower-emission mobility options whenever these are practical and suitable for their trip.
However, not every traveller has the same mobility needs, available time or travel preferences.
Some visitors may be travelling with children, older family members, people with reduced mobility, or may simply have a limited amount of time to discover several destinations in one day.
For this reason, GaudiTours also provides private transportation options as part of our personalised tours.
Our aim is to adapt each experience to the individual needs of our clients. Depending on the circumstances, private transportation can provide greater accessibility, comfort and flexibility, while allowing visitors to make the most of their time in Catalonia.
We therefore believe that sustainable tourism also means offering different mobility solutions and helping each traveller choose the option that best suits their particular circumstances.
Whether travelling by train, bus, walking, bicycle or private vehicle, our team is happy to advise clients on the most appropriate way to reach each destination.
Travel More Sustainably in Catalonia
Public transport is not only an alternative to the private car; it can also be a convenient way to discover Catalonia.
For destinations such as Montserrat, Girona, Tarragona and Colònia Güell, visitors can combine trains, buses, rack railways, cable cars and walking to reduce unnecessary car journeys.
At GaudiTours, we believe that sustainable tourism also means helping travellers make informed decisions.
That is why we provide practical information about public transport, alternative mobility options and parking facilities for destinations included in our tours.
Our objective is to make sustainable mobility easier and more accessible while continuing to offer the flexibility and personalised service that our clients expect from a private tour company.
Before You Travel
Transport schedules can change due to weekends, public holidays, maintenance works or temporary service changes.
We therefore recommend checking the official transport operator’s website before travelling.
Plan your journey, choose the most suitable transport option and enjoy Catalonia at a slower pace.
Official Transport Resources
FGC – Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya
Rodalies de Catalunya
Rodalies de Catalunya – Official website
Girona Tourism
Girona Tourism – Official website
Tarragona Tourism
Tarragona Tourism – Official website
Montserrat Tourism
Discover More of Catalonia with GaudiTours
Barcelona is only the beginning.
From the mountains of Montserrat to the medieval streets of Girona, the Roman heritage of Tarragona and the extraordinary architecture of Colònia Güell, Catalonia offers countless opportunities to discover its history, culture and landscapes.
At GaudiTours, we specialise in private cultural experiences focused on Antoni Gaudí, Catalan Modernism and the cultural heritage of Barcelona and Catalonia.
We offer both private tours with transportation and experiences that can be adapted to clients who prefer to use public transport.
Our approach is simple: the journey should adapt to the traveller, not the other way around.
Explore our private day trips and excursions from Barcelona and discover Catalonia beyond the city.
Explore GaudiTours Day Trips & Excursions from Barcelona
Last reviewed: October 2026
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