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.
Finding a car to suit the trip
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.
What to Write Down First
Begin with a short list of what you want from the car itself. Note whether the driver prefers an automatic or a manual, how many people will travel together at peak, and whether anyone in the party has a particular preference for a higher seating position or extra legroom. If the booking covers several days, record which dates each driver expects to use the vehicle, along with their driver details and contact numbers. It also helps to note where the car should be delivered or collected, including any parking arrangements at that address. Once this information is written down, pass it to the team with your preferred dates, and they can confirm which vehicle group fits the request and answer any questions the list raises.
Travelling with Children and Bags
If children are travelling, jot down their ages and how many child seats or boosters you will bring, then count the bags each passenger expects to carry, separating hold luggage from small day packs. Note roughly how large the suitcases are and whether any item, such as a pushchair or travel cot, needs to be folded or assembled before it goes in the boot. Decide who will be responsible for each bag at collection points if the group splits up during the trip. When you ask for a quote, include this list alongside your dates and destination so the team can point you towards an estate, SUV or people carrier as appropriate. Any question about pram storage or seat fitting can be raised before you confirm.
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What to confirm on the phone
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.