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.
Setting Up a Longer Stay
If you are arranging an extended visit, the hire period is one of the first details worth settling. Note the arrival date, the day you plan to return the car and any window in between where your plans might shift, since a flexible range of dates can be useful when asking for a quote. It also helps to confirm who will be listed as the driver and whether anyone else might need to be added during the stay. Write down the addresses for collection and return, plus any preferred delivery point, so the team can check what is possible. Finally, list the places you expect to visit during the stay and any parking arrangements you already know about, as this background can shape which vehicle group suits the booking.
Travelling with Children and Bags
Should children be joining the trip, a passenger and luggage list drawn up in advance keeps the quote request straightforward. Count the adults and children separately, note each child's age if a seat or booster will be needed, and record how many bags are coming along, from large suitcases to small daypacks. Measuring the longest items, such as pushchairs or travel cots, gives the team useful figures when discussing estates, SUVs or people carriers. Think about whether the children will have activities for the journey and whether any bags must stay within reach during the drive. If you are unsure whether a certain combination of passengers and luggage suits a particular group, raise it as an open question and the team can talk you through the options.
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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.