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.
Comparing everyday car sizes
If the car is mainly for everyday errands and short local trips, start by listing how many people usually travel and what the car needs to carry. A solo driver with a few shopping bags has different needs from a family with child seats and a pushchair, or a household that regularly gives lifts to relatives or friends. Note anything bulky that often goes in the boot, and measure it if you are unsure of its size. The range runs from compact city cars and automatics to estates, SUVs and people carriers, so share your list with the team along with your dates and they can suggest a suitable vehicle group. Stating a preference for automatic or manual at the outset also saves time when the options are being checked.
Planning the return leg
A return journey deserves the same attention as the outward one. If you are collecting relatives from a station or bringing back shopping or luggage, include those people and items in the list you share with the team, so the vehicle group suits the whole trip rather than the first leg alone. Write down your full schedule, including the start time, any stops and when you expect to finish, and give the team those times rather than just the departure date. Where the car needs to be handed back or collected at a particular time or address, mention that when you enquire so the arrangements can be checked against the booking. Any questions about the hire period or terms are best raised with the booking team, who will set out the price and the vehicle group before you commit.
Explore other car hire areas
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.