Celebrating Our 2nd Anniversary in Bangkok: A Complete Travel Guide with Budget Tips & Real Challenges
Trisha and Nikhil
What started as a simple anniversary getaway turned into an adventure filled with late-night airport lounges, market haggling sessions, and romantic river cruises. Our 2nd anniversary trip to Bangkok taught us that sometimes the best travel experiences come with unexpected challenges - and that's exactly what makes them memorable!
Pre-Flight Adventures: Airport Lounge Experience & Travel Tips
Our Bangkok journey began with a reality check at 10:50 PM when we arrived for our 5:30 AM flight - only to discover we couldn't check in until 1 AM! Talk about cutting it close on timing. But here's where having Lounge Access through our credit cards became a lifesaver.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport lounge turned our long wait into a comfortable experience. Despite the delayed check-in eating into our lounge time, we managed to enjoy the amenities, including that gorgeous lamp area perfect for photos and surprisingly well-appointed washrooms.
💡 Pro Tip: Many premium credit cards offer complimentary Lounge Access and Priority Pass membership - check yours to make sure you have enough Lounge Access for your Trip. We have been using the following Credit Cards and would highly recommend the same.
First Impressions: Bangkok Airport & Getting Around the City
Landing in Bangkok, we were impressed by the airport's efficiency. Getting around Bangkok can be overwhelming for first-timers, but the BTS Skytrain system is your best friend. Running elevated above the traffic chaos, it connects major tourist areas efficiently. Single rides cost 16-59 THB depending on distance, but day passes at 150 THB offer better value for tourist itineraries.
Travel Hack: Download the BTS Skytrain app for real-time updates and consider getting a Rabbit Card for convenient travel across Bangkok's transport network.
Also, always, ALWAYS! Carry a zero markup / no forex fee card. Here are our recommendations:
Niyo App | Use my code: NIKHI986
Market Madness: Conquering Chatuchak Weekend Market
No Bangkok trip is complete without experiencing Chatuchak Weekend Market - and wow, did we underestimate this beast! As Thailand's largest market with over 8,000 stalls across 27 acres, it's both a shopper's paradise and an endurance test.
We arrived on the wrong day and quickly learned why arriving early (9-11 AM) is crucial for avoiding crowds and heat. The market operates Saturday-Sunday 9 AM-6 PM for the full experience, though plant sections open Wednesday-Thursday 7 AM-6 PM, which we did experience.
Our main mission? Finding that perfect coconut ice cream that everyone raves about.
What We Discovered at Chatuchak:
Incredible variety of local handicrafts and vintage items
Amazing street food options (more on this below!)
Prices are tourist-friendly but bargaining is expected
Gets extremely crowded, especially on weekends
Perfect for unique souvenirs and Instagram-worthy finds
Shopping Strategy That Worked:
Start early (market opens at 9 AM)
Wear comfortable walking shoes
Bring cash - many vendors don't accept cards
Don't buy from the first stall you see - compare prices first
Pro Tip: Pack smart with quality travel gear from our Amazon store - comfortable walking shoes and a good daypack are essential for market marathons!
The Pratunam Market Plot Twist
Here's where our story gets funny! Nikhil kept insisting I should buy from this one particular shop at Krangthong Plaza in Pratunam Market on our first day, but I was stubborn and said no. We explored the entire market without purchasing anything. Guess what happened the next day? I ended up going back to that exact same shop and spending 2,941 THB (about $82) on clothes!
Lesson Learned: Sometimes your travel partner knows what they're talking about. Listen to each other!
Pratunam vs. Chatuchak - The Verdict:
Pratunam: Better for clothing, more local prices, less touristy
Chatuchak: Better for variety, food, unique items, more organised
Food Adventures: Street Food That Stole Our Hearts
Must-Try Dishes We Actually Ate
The food scene in Bangkok is absolutely incredible! Here's what we actually tried and loved:
Our Food Highlights:
Matcha Chili - An interesting fusion dish that surprised us
Chicken Curry Roti - Comfort food at its finest
Traditional Thai Coffee - Rich, sweet, and incredibly refreshing
Coconut Ice Cream (IN A COCONUT)- Finally found it at Chatuchak and it was worth the hunt!
Street Food Budget Reality:
Most dishes: 40-80 THB ($1.10-$2.20)
Drinks: 20-50 THB ($0.55-$1.40)
Full meal for two: 200-400 THB ($5.60-$11.20)
Food Safety Tip: Look for stalls with high turnover and locals eating there. These are usually the safest and most delicious options!
Transportation Tales: Navigating Bangkok's BTS & Traffic Chaos
Bangkok's traffic is legendary, and we experienced it firsthand! Sitting in a cab for "almost one hour, half an hour? Half an hour. Which seems like almost one hour" perfectly captures the frustration. The traffic moves so slowly that we often couldn't reach destinations on time, impacting our shopping and sightseeing plans.
This is where the BTS Skytrain becomes invaluable. Operating elevated above street level, it's Bangkok's traffic-beating lifeline. The system covers major tourist areas and connects seamlessly with other transport modes including the Airport Rail Link and Chao Phraya River boats.
Transportation Budget Tips:
BTS day passes: 150 THB vs individual tickets 16-59 THB each
Avoid peak hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) when possible
Use Grab for short distances where BTS doesn't reach
Walk via sky bridges connecting malls - though they can be distracting for shopping!
Anniversary Romance: River Cruise & Special Moments
The highlight of our anniversary celebration was definitely the Chao Phraya River cruise. Starting from Silver City Bangkok, we enjoyed dinner while cruising past illuminated landmarks like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace.
Bangkok's dinner cruise scene offers options from 990-2,200 THB per person, with most including international and Thai buffets, live entertainment, and stunning city views. The romantic atmosphere with gentle river breezes and soft lighting created perfect anniversary memories.
Cruise Recommendations:
White Orchid Cruise: 3-floor vessel with cabaret performance (1000 THB)
Chao Phraya Princess Cruise: Great value at 1,100 THB with live entertainment | This is the one we took!
Anniversary Planning Tip: Book dinner cruises online for better deals, and request riverside seating for optimal landmark views.
Shopping Struggles: Lessons Learned & Budget Breakdowns
Our shopping experiences taught us valuable lessons about Bangkok's retail culture. The "see it, love it, buy it" philosophy really applies at markets like Chatuchak, MBK, Pratunam. We learned this when Nikhil begged me to shop at a particular store, I said no, we explored the entire Pratunam market, and then I ended up buying from that exact shop the next day!
Shopping Reality Check:
Budget 2,000-4,000 THB for serious market shopping
Quality varies widely - inspect items carefully
Bargaining is expected but be respectful
Many unique items aren't available elsewhere
Money-Saving Hacks:
Buy 3+ items for bulk discounts (10-15% off)
Shop early morning when vendors are eager for first sales
Compare prices across different sections
Carry sufficient cash - ATMs charge high foreign transaction fees
Essential Travel Tips & Budget Breakdown
Based on our experience, here's a realistic budget breakdown for a Bangkok anniversary trip:
Total Trip Cost: 30,400 THB ($871 USD) for couple
Accommodation: 4,000 THB for 2-3 nights Trip.com Hotels
Food: 2,000 THB mixing street food and restaurants
Shopping: 3,000 THB at markets[transcript]
Transportation: 1,700 THB including BTS and taxis
Activities: 2,200 THB for river cruise
Travel Insurance: Essential for Thailand trips - comprehensive coverage starts around 400 THB and includes COVID-19 protection. Shop policies through comparison sites for best deals.
Visa Requirements 2025: Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is mandatory from May 1, 2025, for all foreign nationals. Complete online within 3 days before arrival.
Final Thoughts: Why Bangkok Remains Magical
Despite the challenges - traffic jams, market overwhelm, timing mishaps - Bangkok delivered an unforgettable anniversary experience. The city's blend of ancient culture and modern convenience, incredible food scene, and romantic river settings make it perfect for couple celebrations.
The real magic lies in embracing the chaos - those unexpected detours, market discoveries, and traffic delays become the stories you laugh about years later. Bangkok rewards flexible travelers willing to go with the flow while maintaining realistic expectations about logistics.
Planning Your Own Bangkok Anniversary Trip?
Budget 25,000-35,000 THB per couple for comfortable 3-4 day experience
Pack essential travel gear from our Amazon store
Get comprehensive travel insurance covering Thailand requirements
Checking into Holiday Inn Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Stepping into the Holiday Inn Sukhumvit felt like the perfect start to our Bangkok adventure. We were already excited about the room, but discovering all the extras that came with it made us feel like we had hit the jackpot! From an exquisite breakfast spread every morning to an indulgent high tea with delicious snacks, and even a cocktail hour with complimentary drinks and bites, it was pure bliss. The two sets of laundry service every day were an absolute game changer for full-time travelers like us (less time washing, more time exploring!). Our room was bright, cozy, and perfectly set up for both relaxing after a long day and sipping our morning coffee with a view of the city skyline.
Find Hotels in Bangkok: https://www.trip.com/t/paBO23SkxQ2
Our First-Ever 7-Eleven Experience
Now, let’s talk about one of the biggest (and most unexpected) highlights of our trip; our first ever visit to a 7-Eleven! We’d heard so much about them from fellow travellers, but nothing prepared us for how fun and convenient it really was. Trisha instantly fell in love with their iced cocoa, one sip and it became her all-time favorite drink (she’s still dreaming about it!). Nikhil couldn’t get enough of the ready-to-eat sandwiches and quick snack options, and the fact that we could pick up a SIM card right there in the store was the ultimate travel hack. We left grinning like kids in a candy shop, already planning our next visit before we’d even stepped out the door.
Pro Tip: You can get your 5G eSim before you even step into Thailand HERE!
