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.
Travelling with children and bags
If children are coming along, the practical details multiply quickly. Count how many child seats or boosters you need and decide whether you will bring your own or ask about options when you enquire. Think about where the seats will fit and how much boot space remains once pushchairs, travel cots and suitcases are loaded. It also helps to note whether the children are used to longer journeys, as planned stops can shape your schedule. Mention the ages involved rather than just the number of passengers, since that gives a fuller picture of the space required. Sharing these details early means the vehicle suggested on the day actually matches what your family arrives with.
Keeping a flexible day plan
A flexible plan suits a hire car better than a rigid timetable. Sketch out the journeys you definitely need to make, then mark which ones could shift if a meeting runs late or a visit stretches on. Build in buffer time around fixed commitments such as airport check-ins or appointment slots. If several people will share the driving, collect their details in advance so nothing delays the paperwork. It is also worth deciding your priority for the day, whether that is arriving promptly or fitting in extra errands along the way. When you speak to the team, explaining the shape of your day helps them suggest a vehicle group that matches how you actually intend to use it.
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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.