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.
Packing for a Short Break
Begin with a written list of what each traveller intends to bring, noting whether every item is a soft bag, a rigid case or something awkward like golf clubs or a pushchair. Count the bags rather than estimating, and record roughly how tall the largest one stands. If you plan to shop while away, add a note of the extra space that might be needed on the return leg. Decide in advance who is responsible for which bag, since this helps at handover points and stops items being left behind. When you ask the team for a quote, mention the bag count alongside your dates, because the vehicle group you select, whether an estate, an SUV or a people carrier, may depend on how much room the luggage requires. A list also makes repacking simpler at the end of the trip.
Travelling With Children and Bags
If youngsters are part of the journey, note their ages and how many travel seats or boosters you will provide, then count the bags belonging to each child alongside the adults' luggage. Children often carry small items they want within reach, so decide which bags stay with them and which go in the boot. Record any pushchairs, travel cots or folding equipment, including whether they collapse and their folded size. Where the trip involves stops, note what you would like at each one, such as a place to eat or somewhere to stretch. Sharing the passenger ages, seat needs and total bag count with the team when you enquire allows them to consider the right vehicle group, and asking about delivery or collection arrangements in the same message keeps all the details in one thread.
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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.