Montserrat and a Penedès winery with a driver
By train: the R4
The Rodalies R4 crosses Barcelona, stopping at Sants and Plaça de Catalunya, and continues into the Penedès through Sant Sadurní d’Anoia and Vilafranca del Penedès. On weekdays, according to Rodalies, trains on this stretch run every 15 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes off-peak. Check weekend times on the Rodalies timetable.
Some cava cellars are in or near the town of Sant Sadurní; others are out among the vineyards and need a car. Vilafranca, the regional capital, has a compact old town and is the place for lunch.
The options at a glance
| Option | From | Arrives at | Typical time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train R4 | Sants, Plaça de Catalunya | Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Vilafranca del Penedès | Every 30 min off-peak on weekdays; check the timetable | Cellars in or near the towns |
| Car | Your hotel | The cellar | About 42 min without traffic (46 km to Sant Sadurní) | Only if the driver does not drink |
| Private car with driver | Your hotel | The cellar door | About 42 min without traffic | Cellars among the vineyards, two visits in a day, groups |
Road distance and time are from central Barcelona to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia without traffic (OSRM routing data).
Booking a cellar visit
Most cava houses, large and small, offer guided visits with a tasting, and they almost always need booking in advance, with set start times. Book the visit before you choose your train or pickup time, and check the language of the tour.
Spain’s drink-driving limits are strict, and a tasting usually means several glasses. If you plan to drive, one person in the group should not taste; otherwise use the train or a driver.
Tips for the day
- One cellar in the morning and lunch in Vilafranca or Sant Sadurní is a relaxed rhythm; two cellars is a full day.
- The Penedès combines well with Montserrat: both are west of Barcelona, and there is a ready-made route to Montserrat and the Penedès.
- Harvest time in late summer is busy: book visits well ahead.
- Bring a bag that will hold bottles safely if you plan to buy.
With a driver: when it makes sense
A private car with a driver takes you from your hotel to the cellar door, waits while you visit and taste, and takes you on to lunch, a second cellar or back to Barcelona. Nobody in the group has to stay sober. QuickPickups, which publishes this guide, sells this service; its booking box is clearly marked on this page. The driver is not an official guide, and cellar visits and tastings are not included: you book them with the winery.
It makes most sense for couples and groups visiting cellars outside the towns, for anyone combining the Penedès with Montserrat, and for travellers who want to bring bottles home without carrying them on the train.
QuickPickups booking service
Booking a private transfer: the usual questions
- Is the price really fixed?
- Yes. You see the full price for the vehicle before you pay, and it does not change with traffic, the route or the time of day.
- What if my flight is late?
- Your flight number is tracked in real time and the pick-up time is adjusted. At the airport you get 60 minutes of free waiting after landing; at the cruise port, 30 minutes.
- How will I find the driver?
- At the airport the driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign. Your confirmation email has the contact details.
- Can I get child seats?
- Yes, on request when you book, for a small supplement shown before you pay. Tell us the age or weight of each child.
- Can I get an invoice?
- Yes. QUICKPICKUPS S.L. can issue an invoice for your booking, including one made out to your company.
- What if my plans change?
- Cancellations made more than 24 hours in advance are free. You can manage the booking from your confirmation email or by writing to info@quickpickups.es.