Matching a hire car to your passengers and luggage
Tell the team how many people will travel and how many cases, buggies or bulky bags you expect. Seating and boot space are separate questions. Say whether you need an automatic or are happy with a manual, and mention any child seat request early so it can be checked before you are quoted. Include details for every driver who may take the wheel.
Picking a suitable car
Start with the journey and pick the car to match it. Smaller cars are suited to city driving and short stays, automatics make local driving easier, estates and SUVs give more room for luggage, and people carriers are a better choice for families or small groups. The range available includes the Fiat 500, VW Golf, Ford Focus Estate, Ford Focus Automatic and Hyundai i10 Automatic, subject to dates, driver details and availability. The precise make, model, transmission, seating, payload and licence position are confirmed when you are quoted, so treat the vehicles listed as a guide to the kind of hire on offer rather than a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Packing sensibly for a short break
A sensible first step is writing a packing list that matches the length of your break rather than packing by habit. Note how many nights you will be away, who is travelling, and what each person plans to bring, from weekend bags to boots and outdoor gear. Record the rough size of each case or bag, because a boot that swallows two soft holdalls may behave differently with a rigid suitcase, and the vehicle group you choose depends on that picture. If you are carrying anything unusual, such as a pushchair, golf clubs or a bicycle rack's worth of equipment, put it on the list with its dimensions. Any gaps in your knowledge, like whether a roof box might be needed, can be raised as questions when you contact the team.
Leaving room in your day plan
Alongside packing, consider how much structure your itinerary really needs. Draft a day plan that names the commitments you cannot move, such as a booked ferry, a dinner reservation or a check-in time, and leave the hours between them unallocated. Writing the plan this way shows you where the fixed points fall and how much slack surrounds them, which is useful context when discussing vehicle groups and hire dates. Note who else shares the driving, if anyone, and where you might want the car available each morning. If your return date is still flexible, record the options rather than picking one arbitrarily, since the hire length follows from that choice. Any remaining uncertainties can be worked through with the team before you commit.
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Last checks before booking
Before you confirm the hire, check the key details: vehicle availability, driver requirements, mileage, insurance, delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for, along with driver age, licence history, the deposit, the insurance excess and any travel abroad. A clear request gives the date, the length of hire, the rough route, the delivery or pickup address, the expected passengers or load, and any particular requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.