At a glance
| Factor | Bangkok | Mumbai |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | THB 700,000 to 1,000,000 (USD 19,000 to 28,000) | INR 700,000 to 1,500,000 (USD 8,500 to 18,000) |
| Dominant curricula | British, IB, American | IB, IGCSE / A Level, CBSE, ICSE |
| Cost of living vs Bangkok (Numbeo, 2026) | Baseline | About 25 percent lower |
| Family visa | Non immigrant O dependant on employer visa | Employment visa with family dependants |
| Expat share of population | About 4 percent | About 1 percent |
| Typical relocation timeline | 8 to 12 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks |
Bangkok has a deep international school market with strong British, American and IB provision and a smooth visa story. Mumbai has a smaller foreigner facing market dominated by a few elite IB and IGCSE schools, with much lower fees but tighter capacity. The right choice depends on the role, the curriculum and how mobile the family expects to be.
Schools landscape side by side
Bangkok's international market is among Southeast Asia's deepest. The schools dominating shortlists are Bangkok Patana, ISB (International School Bangkok), NIST International School, Shrewsbury International School, Harrow International Bangkok, Brighton College Bangkok and KIS International School. Capacity is generally good, with strong IB Diploma outcomes across the top names.
Mumbai's expat facing market is small. The schools dominating shortlists are Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS), Ecole Mondiale World School, Oberoi International School, American School of Bombay (ASB), Aditya Birla World Academy and Bombay International School. Capacity at DAIS, ASB and Oberoi is tight with waiting lists, particularly for Years 1, 7 and 11.
Fees and value for money
Bangkok premium school fees sit between THB 700,000 and THB 1,000,000 per year (roughly USD 19,000 to USD 28,000), with Patana, ISB and Shrewsbury at the top of the band. Mid tier IB and British schools land THB 450,000 to THB 700,000. Many Bangkok schools include lunch in tuition; transport and capital levies add 10 to 15 percent. See our Bangkok fees guide for the all in load.
Mumbai is materially cheaper at the headline level. DAIS, Ecole Mondiale and Oberoi publish secondary fees between INR 700,000 and INR 1,500,000 (USD 8,500 to USD 18,000). American School of Bombay sits higher around INR 1.8M to INR 2.2M (USD 22,000 to USD 27,000). Board exam fees for IGCSE, IB and A Level can add INR 100,000 to INR 300,000 per session. Use the cost calculator to model the five year all in number per child.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Curriculum availability
Bangkok covers all the major curricula: IB, British (IGCSE and A Level), American (AP), and to a smaller extent Australian and French. Mumbai's strongest line is the IB Diploma, with strong IGCSE provision at Ecole Mondiale, Oberoi and DAIS. Indian boards (CBSE and ICSE) dominate the local market but most expat families avoid them for portability. For curriculum specific guidance see the IB hub and British curriculum hub.
Mumbai's IGCSE and IB programmes follow international assessment cycles, so transferring children to a Bangkok IB school is generally straightforward. The opposite move is less common but workable; some families add a year of bridging support to align with Indian board exam schedules at Class 9 or 10.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Bangkok, international school families cluster in Sukhumvit Soi 16 to 50 (close to Patana and Shrewsbury), Sathorn, Bang Na (close to ISB), Nichada Thani (closed compound near ISB) and Phra Khanong. A four bedroom serviced house runs THB 100,000 to THB 200,000 per month (USD 2,800 to USD 5,500), with school bus routes for every major school.
In Mumbai, expat families typically settle in Bandra West, Worli, Lower Parel, Powai (close to Hiranandani schools and ASB) and Juhu. A three bedroom apartment in Bandra West or Worli runs INR 350,000 to INR 700,000 per month (USD 4,200 to USD 8,500), with strong driver and household help networks.
Lifestyle and climate
Bangkok is hot and humid year round, with a monsoon from May to October. The city offers exceptional food, easy regional travel and a famously low friction expat experience. Mumbai is tropical, with a dramatic monsoon between June and September and high humidity year round. Air quality is materially better in Bangkok than in central Mumbai. Both cities have excellent ground staff support for families and strong household help norms.
Bangkok family weekends are built around malls, parks, Hua Hin escapes and easy flights to Bali or Chiang Mai. Mumbai family weekends lean into Bandra cafes, weekend trips to Goa, Lonavala or Alibaug, and a rich cultural calendar. Both cities have strong international medical care and tight school transport networks.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Bangkok if you want a smooth expat experience, a deep international school market and easy Asia travel. It suits families who prioritise lifestyle, school capacity and predictable visa processes.
Choose Mumbai if the role is rooted in India, the school choice fits the family (DAIS, Oberoi, Ecole Mondiale, ASB), and the fee saving makes sense for your budget. It also suits families with cultural or family ties to India who want strong IB outcomes at lower cost. Most families we work with run both cities through the cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bangkok or Mumbai cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Mumbai is cheaper on headline school fees and day to day cost of living. Total cost of attendance at IB schools in Mumbai is typically 30 to 50 percent lower than equivalent Bangkok schools, with similar housing space at a comparable or lower price.
Which city has better international schools?
Bangkok has the deeper market with Patana, ISB, NIST, Shrewsbury and Harrow Bangkok. Mumbai has fewer schools but credible IB and IGCSE provision at DAIS, ASB, Ecole Mondiale and Oberoi. Best fit depends on curriculum and year group.
Is the family visa easier in Bangkok or Mumbai?
Bangkok is generally easier. Non immigrant B visa for the main applicant and O for dependants is straightforward once the employer files. India's employment visa system has tightened in recent years and requires more documentation for dependants.
How long does the school admissions process take in each city?
In Bangkok, decisions usually come back within four to six weeks outside the top two names. In Mumbai, DAIS, ASB and Oberoi often have 6 to 12 month waiting lists for Years 1, 7 and 11.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
Bangkok families cluster in Sukhumvit, Sathorn, Bang Na and Nichada Thani. Mumbai families settle in Bandra West, Worli, Lower Parel, Powai and Juhu.
