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.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
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.
Sorting out your arrival day
How will your first day actually run? Answering that early makes the rest of the plan easier. If you are collecting the car on the day you land or arrive in the area, think about the order of events: when you get in, where the vehicle needs to be and what you want to do first. A day spent shuttling between commitments works differently from one with a single straightforward destination. Share your rough itinerary with the team when you enquire, since the shape of your day can influence which vehicle group suits you. Booking the car for slightly longer than you strictly need can also give breathing room if plans shift on the day.
Keeping companions in the loop
When several people are travelling together, a quick conversation about the plan avoids confusion later. Agree who is the main driver, what time you are aiming to leave and how bags will be shared between passengers, particularly if the boot space is likely to be tight for the group. It helps to circulate the pick-up time and location in a message everyone can check again, rather than relying on word of mouth. If your companions have preferences, such as a wish to take a particular route or stop somewhere along the way, gather these before you finalise arrangements. The team can then take account of the whole picture when confirming your vehicle and terms.
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Things to check 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.