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.
Note Your Driver Preferences Early
Start by writing down everything that shapes your choice of car. If you prefer an automatic, only ever drive a certain size, or need space for a particular number of passengers, put each point on one list before you request a quote. Note the dates you need the vehicle, whether you want collection or delivery, and any driver details the team will ask for. Think about whether a compact city car suits short trips or whether an estate, SUV, executive saloon or people carrier matches your plans better. If several drivers are involved, record who will be behind the wheel and when. Keeping these notes together means you can answer questions quickly, and anything you are unsure about, such as which vehicle group fits your group size, becomes a clear point to raise with the team when you enquire.
Plan Around Children and Bags
When children are travelling, a short checklist of their needs helps you pick between vehicle groups. List how many child seats you will bring, whether you plan to fit your own or arrange them separately, and how much boot space the bags for each passenger might take up. If you are carrying pushchairs, travel cots or sports kit, measure their folded dimensions and note them alongside the number of suitcases, so you can compare them with the luggage area of the vehicle group you are considering. Write down the collection or delivery point, the return arrangements and a contact number for anyone meeting you at the other end. If the children have specific needs, such as extra stops, add these to your plan. Where any detail is unclear, ask the team which vehicle group they would recommend for your passenger and luggage list.
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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.