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.
Details Worth Writing Down First
Before requesting a quote, gather the basic details that will shape the conversation. Note the exact dates you need the car, including whether an early start or late return might matter, and set out who will be driving so the team can confirm the vehicle group. Write a short passenger list with ages if children are travelling, since that affects seating arrangements, and count the bags you expect to bring. If you know roughly how much luggage each person will carry, record that too. Think about where the car should be delivered or collected from, and keep any questions ready, such as which groups suit four adults with two suitcases. Having these notes to hand makes the enquiry clearer from the outset.
Travelling with Children and Bags
Families often bring more than they first anticipate, so it helps to plan the luggage list carefully. List every item, from hold luggage and cabin bags to pushchairs, car seats and travel cots, and include approximate dimensions for the bulkier pieces. If two children each have a small suitcase and a parent carries a large case, write that down as separate entries rather than a rough total. Consider whether you need boot space alone or whether a people carrier's rear row would be useful. Ask the team which vehicle groups accommodate your configuration, and mention any specific seat-fitting needs. These notes give the hire team enough information to talk through the options and confirm the right choice for your dates.
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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.