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.
Note These Details Before Requesting a Quote
Before contacting the team for a price, it helps to have a short written summary ready. Start with the exact dates you want the car, including collection time and return time, since even an hour either side can affect which vehicle groups are open to you. Add the full name, age and licence details of each person likely to drive, and note where you would like the car delivered or collected from. It is also worth listing the purpose of the trip, the number of passengers and the approximate number of bags, cases or other items you expect to bring. If you have a preference for an automatic or a particular body style, such as an estate or a people carrier, write that down too.
Travelling with Children and Their Luggage
If children are part of your group, planning their kit in advance tends to make the whole journey run more smoothly. List each child alongside their age and the type of restraint they normally travel in, then decide who is responsible for fitting and checking it before departure. Count the bags each child will have, including pushchairs, travel cots, booster bags and any toys or snacks you want within reach during the drive. Measuring the folded pushchair or travel cot is useful, because you can pass those figures to the team when discussing whether an estate or a people carrier suits your family. Think about the route as well: note planned stops, expected arrival times at your destination and a contact number for whoever is meeting you at the far end. Keep a small bag per child with essentials, and record any questions about storage space or seat configurations to raise before booking.
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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.