Objective To identity clinical features that distinguish between cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)-associated convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage (cSAH) and suspected TIA. Methods We undertook a single-centre, retrospective case–control study. We identified cases patients with cSAH presenting with transient focal neurological episodes (TFNE) from radiological and clinical databases of patients assessed at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and UCLH Comprehensive Stroke Service. We identified age- and gender-matched controls at a 1:4 ratio from a database of consecutive suspected TIA clinic attendances at UCLH. We compared presenting symptoms and vascular risk factors between cases and controls. Results We included 19 patients with cSAH-associated TFNE and 76 matched controls with suspected TIA. Migratory (spreading) symptoms (32% vs. 3%, OR 17.3; p  = 0.001), sensory disturbance (47% vs. 14%, OR 5.3; p  = 0.003,) and recurrent stereotyped events (47% vs. 19%, OR 3.7; p  = 0.02,) occurred more frequently in patients with cSAH compared to controls. Hypercholesterolaemia was less common in patients with cSAH (16% vs 53%, OR 0.17; p  = 0.008). Conclusion Simple clinical features could help distinguish cSAH-associated TFNE from suspected TIA, with relevance for investigation and management, including the use of antithrombotic drugs.