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.
Planning a return journey by car
Think about the return leg as carefully as the outward one. Note the date and rough time you expect to finish, and consider what happens if the day runs long, since extending a booking depends on availability. Decide where the car will be at the end of the hire and whether that matches where it started, as collection and drop-off arrangements can differ. If a flight or appointment dictates the timing, work out how much room you have either side. Mention the full period, from pickup to return, when you enquire so the booking covers the whole trip. A return plan agreed at the start prevents a scramble to rearrange things once the visit is underway.
Preparing questions before requesting a quote
Gathering your questions in advance makes the enquiry more useful for everyone. Note your dates, the number of drivers and anyone else travelling, plus your preferred vehicle type if you have one. Ask about the delivery or collection options available for your address, and how the handover works at each end of the hire. If the trip has particular requirements, such as space for equipment or a preference for an automatic, raise them in the same message. Query anything in the terms you are unsure about rather than assuming, including what happens if plans change. A single, detailed enquiry allows the team to answer accurately the first time and gives you a clear basis for comparing the arrangements on offer.
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.