In Europe, manual transmission is the default — and automatic rentals can cost 30-60% more when they're available at all. Whether you should book automatic or manual depends on your driving confidence, your route, and how much you're willing to pay for convenience.
Comparison Table
Provider
Availability
Price
Fuel Economy
Driving Experience
Mountain Roads
Automatic Transmission
★★☆☆☆
★★☆☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★★★☆
★★★★★
Manual Transmission
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★☆
★★★☆☆
★★☆☆☆
ℹ️ Good to Know
Scores are based on our hands-on testing, user reviews, and price monitoring across multiple European countries.
1. Automatic Transmission
Pros
Much easier to drive in unfamiliar cities with roundabouts, narrow streets, and aggressive traffic
Dramatically less stressful on steep mountain passes — no stalling on hairpin bends
Allows you to focus entirely on navigation and scenery rather than gear shifts
Essential if you're not confident with manual or haven't driven one recently
Cons
30-60% price premium over manual — can add $200+ to a two-week rental
Limited availability at smaller stations — must book weeks in advance in peak season
Often only available in higher car classes, pushing you into a more expensive category
If you're comfortable with manual and your route is mostly flat highways and gentle countryside, manual transmission saves significant money and gives you the widest vehicle selection. However, if your trip includes mountain passes (Alps, Dolomites, Norway's fjords), hilly coastal roads (Amalfi, Cinque Terre), or you simply haven't driven stick in years, the automatic premium is absolutely worth paying for safety and stress reduction. Book automatic early — availability disappears fast in summer, especially for compact and economy classes.
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BTS
BestTravelScout Editorial Team
Our editorial team researches and tests travel products hands-on, comparing prices and policies across dozens of providers to bring you honest, data-backed recommendations.