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 Your Arrival-Day Schedule
What should your first day behind the wheel actually look like? If you land or arrive with a full itinerary already written, it is worth noting the times you expect to collect the car, reach your accommodation and complete any first-day errands. Write down each stop, the contact number for whoever is expecting you, and any arrival window they have given. If plans involve meeting someone at a set time, record their name and a backup way of reaching them. You can then share this outline when requesting a quote, since the team may ask how the hire day begins in order to confirm the vehicle group and delivery or collection arrangement. Any question about whether a destination has parking or step-free entry belongs to the contact at that destination rather than the hire team.
Noting Passenger Numbers and Luggage
Before requesting a vehicle group, prepare a simple list of who is travelling and what they will bring. Count every adult, child and infant, then note the bags in terms of pieces and approximate dimensions, for example two cabin cases, one large suitcase and a folded pushchair. If your group includes equipment such as golf clubs, a bike box or musical instruments, measure each item and keep the figures to hand. Consider also whether the itinerary might change, adding a passenger or an extra bag later, and mention this possibility when you enquire. Sharing these details, alongside your dates and driver information, lets the team confirm the right car group, delivery or collection option and price, and leaves fewer questions open before you book.
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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.