Manual vs automatic in Europe: rental costs and smart tips
Where manual rental cars still rule Europe and when to go automatic
Manual vs automatic in Europe: rental costs and smart tips
Planning a European road trip? See where manual car rentals dominate, why automatics cost more, and how EV-heavy Norway flips the trend. Tips for Azores, Crete.
2025-10-14T13:25:49+03:00
2025-10-14T13:25:49+03:00
2025-10-14T13:25:49+03:00
Travelers mapping out a European road trip might want to brush up on driving a manual. DiscoverCars.com notes that in several destinations, most rental cars still come with a stick. The Azores in Portugal lead the way: 87% of customers choose manuals, and only 13% go for automatics. On Crete the figure reaches 85%; across Greece, 83%; in Morocco, 80%; and in the Canary Islands, 79%.The reason is straightforward: price. In the Azores, an automatic costs 42% more to rent. It’s a familiar trade-off—save money with a manual or pay a premium for convenience. Norway shows the flip side: with electric cars prevalent, 94% of renters choose automatics, since EVs dispense with traditional gears.Europe is steadily shifting away from manuals, yet they still dominate in some pockets. In 2000, 89% of cars in Europe had a manual; by 2023, that share had slipped to 32%. Even so, in the south of the continent and in tourist hot spots, the stick shift remains the default—and rental fleets tend to reflect what locals and visitors actually drive.So if you’re planning to thread the switchbacks of Crete or the Azores, knowing how to handle a manual may prove not just helpful but essential.
manual car rentals Europe, stick shift rentals, automatic vs manual, Azores car rental, Crete car rental, Greece, Canary Islands, Morocco, Norway EVs, price difference, European road trip tips
2025
Michael Powers
news
Where manual rental cars still rule Europe and when to go automatic
Planning a European road trip? See where manual car rentals dominate, why automatics cost more, and how EV-heavy Norway flips the trend. Tips for Azores, Crete.
Michael Powers, Editor
Travelers mapping out a European road trip might want to brush up on driving a manual. DiscoverCars.com notes that in several destinations, most rental cars still come with a stick. The Azores in Portugal lead the way: 87% of customers choose manuals, and only 13% go for automatics. On Crete the figure reaches 85%; across Greece, 83%; in Morocco, 80%; and in the Canary Islands, 79%.
The reason is straightforward: price. In the Azores, an automatic costs 42% more to rent. It’s a familiar trade-off—save money with a manual or pay a premium for convenience. Norway shows the flip side: with electric cars prevalent, 94% of renters choose automatics, since EVs dispense with traditional gears.
Europe is steadily shifting away from manuals, yet they still dominate in some pockets. In 2000, 89% of cars in Europe had a manual; by 2023, that share had slipped to 32%. Even so, in the south of the continent and in tourist hot spots, the stick shift remains the default—and rental fleets tend to reflect what locals and visitors actually drive.
So if you’re planning to thread the switchbacks of Crete or the Azores, knowing how to handle a manual may prove not just helpful but essential.
