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 Extended Stay
If a visit stretches over several weeks, it helps to settle your date range before requesting a quote. Note the first day you would want the car and the last, including any flexibility on either end, since this can shape which vehicle groups are worth discussing. Think about who will be listed as drivers and whether their details are ready to share. It also helps to decide where the car should be based during the stay, whether collected once and kept nearby or picked up and returned partway through. Writing down the delivery or collection preference alongside the dates gives the team a clear starting point, and any open questions about vehicle groups can be raised then.
Sketching the Arrival Day
Where a car is needed from the moment of arrival, a short written itinerary can be worth preparing. List where you land or start the day, the address where the car should be waiting or collected, and the first stops planned before settling in. If passengers are joining at different times, noting their numbers and luggage helps when choosing between an estate, an SUV or a people carrier. Contact details for anyone meeting you, such as a host or hotel reception, can also be noted in case plans shift. Questions worth asking include which vehicle groups suit your party size and whether collection and delivery options cover your first-day addresses.
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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.