Ask Joan: Barcelona and Sitges on a budget, and how to take money to Asia

I'm hoping to go to Barcelona for a few days anytime from mid-August to mid-September and may pay a visit to Sitges for the day or overnight. I will be travelling alone and my budget is very tight so I'd be looking to stay in a hostel or a very cheap central hotel. How far is Sitges from the city and would there be cheap accommodation available. BL, Meath

The prices for airline tickets to Barcelona start to go down from the beginning of September and if you book soon you could pay around €100 return with Ryanair. com. The 10kg baggage allowance should be plenty for a warm weather break then.

Barcelona is a great city with lots to see and do, which will not cost a lot of money. There are dozens of good quality hostels and you will find a bed for under €25 per night. Private rooms are more expensive, around €60 per night. See hostelworld.com and hostelbookers.com. The ratings and reviews are a good guide, choose one that provides breakfast and free WiFi in El Born or Barrio Gotik.

Sitges is about 45 minutes by train from Barcelona. There are three main train stations in Barcelona that have services to Sitges: Estacio de França, Passeig de Gracia and Estacio Sants. The C2 train travels from Franca to Passeig de Gracia to Sants and then on to Sitges. The final destination of the train is either Vilanova i la Geltru or St Vincenç de Calders – these are the names you should be searching for on departure boards and on the front of the train rather than Sitges. It costs around €8 return and runs around twice an hour.

Sitges is a smaller city and there are not so many hostels and small hotels. You may find that the cost of a room will be higher than Barcelona, but you will still find somewhere for under €60 per night. Accommodation away from the beach area will be less expensive. Look at hostelbookers.com and booking.com. Being flexible on dates will make it easier to find good value. See also sitges-tourist-guide.com for links to budget accommodation.

My son is going travelling for a few months in Europe before travelling to India, Thailand and Cambodia. Any advice on the best way for him to manage money? The banks offer the Visa Debit Card or Master Card. He is thinking of that An Post offer, the Cash Passport, where you load the card before you go in US Dollars or Sterling.

NOR, Dublin An Post Cash Passport is one of a number of similar type of preloaded debit cards which are ideal for travelling as you can only spend what you have loaded on the card. It is not connected to a bank account. It does cost a fee to set up and there are charges each time you use it or load money to it. Moneyguideireland. com has a comparison table between the various cards available.

However your son will be travelling to countries and places where there may not be ATMs and debit cards will not always be of use. He could take some currency for each country. You can order commission-free currency from No1currency.ie online and collect it from their shops in Westmoreland Street, Tallaght, Malahide or Shankill.

If he is taking a credit card then the most important thing to do first is to let his bank know that he will be travelling in those countries and even when he moves from one to another. Banks are quick to block cards when they see unusual transactions. Make sure he brings the necessary phone numbers with him and a money belt or wallet to wear inside his clothes. Send your travel queries to jscales@irishtimes.com