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.
Sharing trip details with companions
Who needs a copy of the travel plan? Before the car arrives, put together a brief note covering the hire dates, the collection or delivery point, the addresses on your route and the names of anyone you are meeting. Send it to each travelling companion so nobody is working from a different version of events. Include the mobile numbers of everyone in the party, plus a contact at each destination who can be reached if timings move. If companions are bringing their own luggage, sports equipment or musical instruments, ask them for sizes and quantities in advance so the details can be included when you request a vehicle group. A shared note also makes it simple to update everyone at once if the schedule changes.
Sketching an arrival-day itinerary
What will the first hours after pickup involve? Drafting a rough timetable before you book helps you think through the day rather than leave it to chance. Write down the time you expect to collect the car, each stop in order, the addresses involved and how long you plan to spend at each one. Note any appointments with fixed start times and any buffer periods between them. If you are meeting a host, a client or a relative, record their name and number so you can send updates during the journey. Decide which items you will need immediate access to, such as documents or a change of clothes, and keep that list with your booking notes. A written outline can be adjusted freely before the day begins.
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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.