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.
Deciding What Goes in the Boot
The first decision worth settling is whether your short break luggage will be soft bags, rigid suitcases or a mix of both, since that shapes everything you note down afterwards. Write a list of each item before you request a quote, including rough dimensions for anything with an awkward shape, such as a folded pushchair, a set of golf clubs or a cool box. Record how many bags each traveller is bringing and whether any are shared. If the trip involves shopping on the return leg, add a note about that too, because it may influence which vehicle group you ask about. Keeping this list to hand means you can answer the team's questions quickly and adjust your request if the numbers change before departure.
Travelling with Children and Their Bags
If children are coming along, it helps to count them and their belongings separately from the adults. Note each child's age, whether they need a child seat or booster, and how many of those seats you will bring or expect to arrange yourself. List the bags that belong to them, including toys, snacks and any pushchairs, with approximate dimensions where you can. Decide in advance who sits where if that matters to your group, and jot down any questions about the vehicle's seat layout so you can raise them when you enquire. It is also worth recording your travel dates and any flexibility around them, plus a contact number for anyone meeting you at the other end, so the whole picture is ready when you ask about a car.
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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.