Taking my parents and kids to Bangkok: how I planned a smooth family trip from Karachi

Travelling with my two kids and my parents in tow meant Bangkok had to tick a lot of boxes: easy flights, halal food, hotels with room to breathe, and activities that worked for a seven-year-old and a seventy-year-old at the same time. It delivered on all of them, and the planning was simpler than I expected.

The flights made it easy

We flew direct from Karachi on Thai Airways, which at around 5 hours is short enough that the children did not melt down. A return fare for the family in the shoulder season worked out to roughly PKR 160,000 per adult, with reduced child fares. Booking early and avoiding the December peak kept the cost sensible — I watched fares on flight search for a few weeks before pulling the trigger.

Where we stayed

I chose a family room in Sukhumvit, right on the BTS line. Being able to step onto the Skytrain instead of fighting traffic with tired kids was the single best decision of the trip. A spacious family room ran about THB 2,200 a night (≈ PKR 17,500), and having a pool meant the kids were entertained on the hot afternoons. I booked it through hotels and filtered for places near a station.

What kept everyone happy

• Safari World and the aquarium — a guaranteed hit with the children.
• Chao Phraya river boats — my parents loved the breeze and the temple views without much walking.
• Malls like Terminal 21 — air-conditioned, with halal food courts, so a midday break was easy.
• The Grand Palace — we went early before the heat; I packed scarves so we all met the dress code.

Eating with kids and elders

Halal food was a non-issue. We stayed close enough to the Nana area for proper biryani and grills, and the mall food courts had halal-certified stalls with mild, kid-friendly dishes. Fresh fruit and mango sticky rice kept the children snacking happily. I always checked for the green halal logo and asked when unsure — staff were helpful every time.

Practical tips for families

• Use Grab rather than street taxis so you get fixed fares and child-friendly cars.
• Pick a hotel on the BTS — it saves hours and tantrums.
• Carry a light stroller; pavements are uneven but the malls and stations are manageable.
• Plan temples for the cool morning and malls or the pool for the hot afternoon.
• Keep snacks and water on hand for the elders in the heat.

Would I go again?

Without hesitation. Bangkok gave three generations of my family something to enjoy, the food worry simply did not materialise, and the short direct flight from Karachi made it feel almost effortless. If you are weighing up a family holiday from Pakistan, this is a soft, safe, rewarding first international trip for kids and grandparents alike.