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.
Picking a suitable car
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 young children are joining the trip, the vehicle you request needs to account for more than the adults in the party. Think about how many child seats are required, whether you are bringing your own, and how much boot space the family luggage will take up alongside prams or pushchairs. It helps to list everyone travelling, including ages where relevant, when you first make contact, as this gives the team a clear picture of the space needed. Packing lightly is easier said than done, so consider what can stay behind. Where a holiday is involved, remember items bought on the return leg also need room. Mentioning the full passenger and luggage picture early avoids surprises on collection day.
Sharing trip details with companions
When several people are travelling together, agreeing the plan in advance makes the hire conversation far simpler. Decide who will be driving, how long each leg of the journey takes and whether any stops are planned along the route. Companions often have preferences about seating, music or temperature that seem minor until a long drive is underway, so a quick conversation beforehand keeps everyone content. It is also sensible to agree where luggage belongs and who is responsible for loading. Once these points are settled, pass the driver details, dates and destination to the hire team together, as a complete request is usually dealt with more quickly than several separate ones. A shared plan makes the day run smoothly.
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Last checks before booking
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.