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.
Travelling with Children and Bags
Imagine you are arranging a car for a trip that includes two adults, a toddler and a nine-year-old. Before requesting a quote, write down how many child seats you will need, the ages and approximate weights of the children, and whether you are bringing your own seats or need to ask about them. Then list the bags: a pushchair, a travel cot, a cool bag and a couple of suitcases each take up different amounts of room, so note their rough sizes rather than just counting them. If your own seats are involved, record their folded dimensions if you plan to store them in the boot between legs of the journey. When you contact the team, share the full passenger list, the luggage inventory and your preferred dates, and ask what they would suggest for that combination. Any question about seating positions or boot space is worth raising at this stage.
Packing for a Short Break
If a weekend away is on the cards, a written packing list can shape your vehicle choice more than you might expect. Start by deciding how many cases you are taking and whether they are soft bags or rigid suitcases, since the shapes affect how they can be arranged. Note any extras that will not fit inside a case, such as walking boots, a folded buggy, a cool box or a set of golf clubs, and jot down their approximate dimensions. Think about the return journey too, since shopping or souvenirs could add a bag or two by the time you head home. Once your list is complete, total the items and note the number of travellers, then pass both figures to the team when you ask about availability.
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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.