Does this car have automatic transmission?
cam-bio — CAM-bio. au-to-MA-ti-co — stress on third syllable.
When collecting a rental car and confirming the transmission type.
'Cambio automatico' (automatic gearbox) vs 'cambio manuale' (manual/stick shift). Italy has far fewer automatic cars than the UK or US. If you cannot drive manual, always specify 'automatico' when booking. Automatics cost 30-50% more to rent.
Non so guidare il cambio manuale — ne avete uno automatico?
I can't drive manual — do you have an automatic?
Say this before being assigned your car
Questa macchina ha il cambio automatico? Ero abituato al manuale.
Does this car have automatic? I was used to manual.
Checking in case your preference was changed
Voglio provare il cambio automatico — è più semplice in città?
I want to try automatic — is it easier in the city?
For city driving, automatic is indeed easier
Driving in Italian cities with a manual car can be stressful for those not accustomed to it — stop-start traffic on steep hills (especially in Genoa, Naples, and Rome) is challenging. For a relaxed holiday drive, an automatic is worth the premium. All modern Italian cars in city traffic inch forward constantly in first gear — a manual makes this exhausting.