Rick Steves: How to Rent a Manual Transmission Car in Europe

If you’re planning to rent a car in Europe, you may be wondering whether to get an automatic or manual transmission. While automatic transmissions are more common in the United States, manual transmissions are still the norm in many parts of Europe. There are pros and cons to both types of transmissions, but if you’re comfortable driving a stick shift, renting a manual transmission car can save you money and give you more control over your driving experience.

Advantages of Renting a Manual Transmission Car

• Cheaper: Manual transmission cars are generally cheaper to rent than automatic transmission cars.
• More fuel-efficient: Manual transmission cars tend to be more fuel-efficient than automatic transmission cars.
• More fun to drive: Many people find manual transmission cars more fun to drive than automatic transmission cars.
• More control: With a manual transmission, you have more control over your driving experience. You can downshift to engine-brake on downhill grades, and you can upshift to save fuel on long highway drives.

Disadvantages of Renting a Manual Transmission Car

• More difficult to drive: Manual transmission cars can be more difficult to drive than automatic transmission cars, especially if you’re not used to driving a stick shift.
• More tiring to drive: Driving a manual transmission car can be more tiring than driving an automatic transmission car, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
• Not available everywhere: Manual transmission cars are not available everywhere. If you’re renting a car in a popular tourist destination, you may not be able to find a manual transmission car.

How to Rent a Manual Transmission Car in Europe

If you’ve decided that you want to rent a manual transmission car in Europe, here are a few tips:

1. Book early: If you’re planning to rent a manual transmission car in Europe, it’s important to book early. Manual transmission cars are often in high demand, so if you wait until the last minute, you may not be able to find one.
2. Let the rental company know: When you book your rental car, be sure to let the rental company know that you want a manual transmission car. This will help them to ensure that they have a manual transmission car available for you when you arrive.
3. Practice driving a stick shift: If you’re not used to driving a manual transmission car, it’s a good idea to practice before you pick up your rental car. You can find a friend or family member who can teach you how to drive a stick shift, or you can take a driving lesson.
4. Be patient: It may take some time to get used to driving a manual transmission car. Don’t get discouraged if you stall the car a few times. Just keep practicing and you’ll eventually get the hang of it.

Conclusion

Renting a manual transmission car in Europe can be a great way to save money and have more control over your driving experience. However, it’s important to be aware of the challenges of driving a manual transmission car before you make a decision. If you’re not comfortable driving a stick shift, it’s probably best to rent an automatic transmission car.