City comparison
Istanbul vs Cairo air quality
Live AQI comparison between Istanbul and Cairo. Data updates every 15 minutes.
Istanbul and Cairo differ by 27 AQI points right now. Istanbul has cleaner air at this moment.
What drives air quality in Istanbul and Cairo
Istanbul
Istanbul's split geography across two continents creates complex air-quality behavior shaped by topography, traffic, and marine flow. Road emissions remain intense near bridge approaches and major interchanges, while shipping through the Bosphorus can influence nearby districts under specific winds. As a result, local exposure differs sharply between neighborhoods.
Cairo
Cairo faces persistent air-quality pressure from dense traffic, industrial activity, and frequent dust influence from surrounding arid regions. Nitrogen dioxide rises near congested roads, while particle pollution can remain elevated across large areas. High population density and continuous mobility demand intensify everyday exposure in many districts.
Both cities are shaped by different combinations of traffic density, terrain, weather patterns, and seasonal events, which is why the same AQI band can feel different on the ground. Checking live readings rather than relying on reputation or past visits is the most reliable way to plan travel, exercise, or outdoor time between the two.
Live AQI from Open-Meteo (CAMS). Conditions change hourly — refresh for the latest readings. South African cities may show WAQI station data on their dedicated pages.