Comparison · Cairo vs Istanbul · Egypt / Turkey
Cairo vs Istanbul
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wael El Sisi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Choose Cairo for Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter; choose Istanbul for Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus ferries, beaches and free sights. Cairo is generally less expensive, and the two are about 1,236 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,236 km
- Less expensive
- Cairo
- Best time for Cairo
- October–March
- Best time for Istanbul
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Cairo | Istanbul | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Egypt | Turkey |
| Known for | Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx and Tutankhamun's treasures | Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus ferries and Grand Bazaar |
| Best time to visit | October–March | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $70–$150 | $120–$230 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 35°C (95°F) | July, 29°C (84°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | January, 9°C (48°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 2 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | Kilyos |
| Airports | CAI, SPX | IST, SAW |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cairo for…
Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter. Cairo is one of Africa's largest cities, sprawling along the Nile where the river valley meets the delta. On its western edge the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum hold the legacy of the pharaohs, while east of the river Islamic Cairo's mosques…
Choose Istanbul for…
Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus ferries, beaches and free sights. Istanbul spreads across both banks of the Bosphorus, the strait that divides Europe from Asia. The historic peninsula of Sultanahmet holds Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar within a 15-minute walk of each other, while Galata…
Top sights compared
| # | Cairo | Istanbul |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pyramids of Giza | Hagia Sophia |
| 2 | Great Sphinx | Topkapı Palace |
| 3 | Grand Egyptian Museum | Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) |
| 4 | Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) | Basilica Cistern |
| 5 | National Museum of Egyptian Civilization | Grand Bazaar |
Food compared
| Cairo | Istanbul |
|---|---|
| Koshari | Simit |
| Ful medames | Turkish breakfast |
| Ta'ameya | Fish sandwich |
| Molokhia | Meze and rakı |
Which is cheaper?
Cairo is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $70–$150 per person there, against $120–$230 in Istanbul (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cairo on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,236 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 10 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cairo or Istanbul cheaper?
Cairo is usually less expensive: about $70–$150 a day mid-range against $120–$230 (estimates).
+Is Cairo or Istanbul better for a first trip?
Pick Cairo for Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter, or Istanbul for Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus ferries, beaches and free sights.
+How far is Cairo from Istanbul?
About 1,236 km in a straight line.