Automatic vs Manual Rental Cars in Turkey: Which Is Better?

When booking a rental car in Turkey, one of the first choices you face is transmission type — automatic or manual. For tourists from countries where automatics dominate (the US, Canada, Australia, most of the Gulf), this may seem trivial. For visitors from Europe where manuals are still common, it is a genuine decision. Here is how to think about it.

The Case for Automatic

If you are spending any significant time driving in Istanbul, choose an automatic. Full stop. Istanbul traffic is some of the most demanding urban driving in the world — constant stop-and-go, hilly terrain, aggressive lane changes, and the cognitive load of navigating a city you do not know well. In those conditions, a manual transmission turns a manageable drive into an exhausting one. Your left leg will not thank you.

The same applies to driving in any of Turkey's major cities — Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya. City traffic anywhere in Turkey rewards automatic transmission.

On the Bosphorus bridges and the approach roads, which involve extended periods of slow, queued traffic, automatic is once again the clear winner.

The Case for Manual

Manual transmissions still make sense in some situations. On open highways and long motorway drives — say, Istanbul to Ankara or the coastal highway from Izmir to Bodrum — a manual is perfectly comfortable once you are cruising at speed. There is no stop-and-go, and many drivers find manual more engaging on long stretches.

Manual cars are also typically 10–20% cheaper to rent per day. If your trip is primarily highway and rural driving with minimal city time, the cost saving is real and the manual presents no meaningful disadvantage.

Gear Position and Road Orientation

Turkey drives on the right-hand side. This means the gear stick is on the left (center console between driver and passenger), exactly as in Europe or North America. There is no awkward adjustment for anyone coming from a right-hand traffic country. The pedal layout is also standard: clutch left, brake center, accelerator right.

Visitors from left-hand traffic countries (UK, Japan, Australia) will be adjusting to driving on the right regardless — in that situation, adding a manual gearbox to the adjustment is an unnecessary complication.

What Does Auris Cars Offer?

Auris Cars offers both automatic and manual transmission vehicles. Fleet availability varies by booking date and location, but automatics are generally available for the most popular vehicle classes. When booking via WhatsApp, specify your preference clearly and Auris Cars will confirm the best option available.

For most tourists visiting Turkey — especially those spending time in Istanbul — an automatic rental car is the right choice. rent a car with Auris Cars, specify automatic, and focus on the roads ahead rather than the gearstick below.