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.
Noting What Matters to the Driver
Begin by writing down the details that shape a car booking from the driver's point of view. Note the exact dates and times you need the car, whether an automatic or manual gearbox is preferred, and any features the main driver would struggle without, such as a particular seat height or a boot that opens wide. If several named drivers will share the trip, record each person's details and their preferences too, since the vehicle group has to suit everyone who gets behind the wheel. Where you plan to collect or have the car delivered, jot that down as well. Once these notes are together, you can pass them to the team and ask which groups match, leaving any open questions about availability for the quote itself.
Coordinating Passengers Before You Book
If the trip involves more than one passenger, a short shared list keeps the planning orderly. Write down who is travelling, when each person needs to be picked up or dropped off, and how many bags, pushchairs or pieces of equipment will come along. Ask each passenger to confirm their schedule a few days ahead, since plans often drift, and note anyone with specific needs, such as extra legroom or space for a folded wheelchair. Decide together where the car will be based overnight and who holds the keys on which days. When you contact the team, you can share this summary and ask which people carrier or estate would suit the group, along with any questions about delivery points that remain unanswered.
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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.