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.
Working out the return leg
One decision worth making early is whether you will bring the car back to the same place or finish the journey elsewhere, as this affects how the hire is arranged. Write down the outward date and the return date, and note any flexibility around them, since a firm commitment such as a booked flight or appointment anchors the schedule. Consider who drives each leg if more than one person holds the details needed, and mention this when you enquire. Think also about the space required on the way home, which is often greater than on the way out when luggage, purchases or gifts are involved. Raising the full picture at the start avoids surprises later.
Keeping companions in the picture
If others are travelling with you, share the itinerary with them before the car is booked so everyone knows the plan. Confirm how many seats will be occupied, since a car that suits a couple may not suit a family with bags, coats and paraphernalia for a week away. Ask your companions about preferences worth passing on, such as legroom on a long drive or space for a musical instrument or sports gear. Agree where each person will be picked up and dropped off, and note these points for the driver. When the team knows the passenger count and the load, they can quote a vehicle group that matches the whole trip rather than only part of 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.















