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.
Planning an Arrival-Day Itinerary
What needs to happen on the day you pick the car up? Sketching a rough itinerary before you request a quote helps you judge whether the dates and timing work. Write down where the car is being collected or delivered, the time you expect to set off and the first stop on your list. If the day involves appointments, a ferry or a family visit, note each one with its start time and address so you can see the sequence at a glance. Factor in whether any travellers are arriving from elsewhere and what time they reach you. Where the schedule looks tight, consider building slack between commitments rather than planning back-to-back. This working itinerary also gives the team useful context when confirming your vehicle group and delivery or collection options.
Sharing Trip Details With Companions
Before settling on a vehicle, measure the items you intend to carry and note the figures down. For furniture, record the height, width and depth of the largest pieces, plus anything awkward such as a mattress or a wardrobe that cannot be dismantled. It is also worth asking the destination contact about entrance widths, door heights, stairwells and lift access if items are going indoors, since they will know the building better than anyone. Keep your written record of dimensions with the rest of your notes so you can answer questions quickly. If some pieces could be taken apart or transported separately, note that as an option. When you request a quote, you can set out what you need to carry and the access arrangements, and ask which vehicle options are available for your dates.
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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.