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.
Drawing up your packing list
Before requesting a car, it helps to decide what you will actually take on your short break. Sit down with everyone travelling and write a list of cases, rucksacks and any loose items such as pushchairs or sports gear. Note the rough size of each piece, particularly if you plan to shop before returning home. Once you have that inventory, you can pass the details to the team alongside your dates and preferred collection point, and they can confirm which vehicle groups might suit. If you are unsure whether a boot will hold everything, ask the question directly rather than guessing. Keep the list handy during the hire period too, as it doubles as a checklist when repacking for the journey home.
Shaping your first-day itinerary
Think through what you want from the day you arrive before the booking is finalised. Will you head straight to your accommodation, stop for groceries, or collect the car at a particular time to fit a check-in window? Write down each planned stop with an estimated time, then share the schedule with the team so they can discuss delivery or collection slots that line up with it. It is also worth noting a contact number for whoever is receiving you at the end of the journey, in case timings shift. If any part of the day remains undecided, flag it when you enquire, since open questions are easier to resolve before a vehicle is reserved than afterwards.
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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.















