Barcelona’s cable car and funicular: prices, times and differences

Remember the scene in L’Auberge Espagnole where Xavier and Anne-Sophie enjoy spectacular views from the cable car? Lots of tourists want to do the same, but it doesn’t come cheap. There’s a cheaper alternative, in the form of the funicular. Read on for more information…

Barcelona’s two cable cars

There are two cable cars in Barcelona, one in the port and one serving Montjuïc. They’re different in a number of respects, including the price.

The port cable car in Barcelona

The port cable car was opened in 1931, just after the Universal Exhibition for which it was initially intended. It’s kept its original feel, which adds to its charm, and links the port with the hill of Montjuïc.

Different stops on the port cable car

It stops in two places:

• Tour du Port Vell, between the marina and Sant Sebastià beach, where you’ll find the W Hotel. Good to know: the Torre de Alta Mar restaurant is located at the top of the tower, with 360º windows offering spectacular views of the sea.

• The Miramar Hotel.

The journey covers 1300 metres and lasts around ten minutes.

Port cable car: prices

• One way: around €11
• Return: around €17

The Montjuïc cable car in Barcelona

It stops in three places, but it’s shorter (750 metres) and exclusively covers the hill of Montjuïc:

• Parc de Montjuïc: just next to the Montjuïc funicular station, this stop serves the Miró Foundation, the MNAC, the Poble Espanyol and the Olympic Village.

• Montjuïc Castle

• Mirador de l’Alcalde: this garden terrace offers spectacular views across Barcelona’s industrial port.

The following video gives an idea of the views on offer from the cable car:

Montjuïc cable car: prices

• Return tickets cost around €12 for adults and €8 for children
• Get 10% off by booking on line by clicking here

Montjuïc cable car: times

• January – February: 10am – 6pm
• March – May: 10am – 7pm
• June – September: 10am – 9pm
• October: 10am – 7pm
• November – December: 10am – 6pm
• Closed 4th – 24th February

Is the cable car in Barcelona for you?

The cable car is almost exclusively used by tourists due to the price. It’s certainly not the cheapest way of getting to Montjuïc, but the trip is enjoyable. If you like taking pictures, camera at the ready: the views are magnificent.

The port cable car takes you over the city and gets you to Montjuïc, a zone with relatively poor public tranpsort links, quickly. The Montjuïc cable car takes you much higher up the hill, which is great if you don’t want to walk too far. It’s wheelchair-accessible.

The Montjuïc funicular, a more budget-friendly option

If you don’t want to shell out upwards of 10 euros to get to Montjuïc, there is another option. The funicular is nothing special, but it’s part of the metro network, and you can get there with a metro ticket from the Paral·lel station (L2, L3). It’s also wheelchair accessible.

The trip will cost you €2.40 for a one-way ticket. It’s included if you use the Hola Barcelona card.

The funicular only stops in two locations, Paral·lel and Montjuïc, and will drop you near the Miró Foundation. From Paral·lel, enter the metro station via any door and follow the signs. It’s as simple as taking any other metro line.

For more details on this option, see our article: The Barcelona funicular: going up in the world!