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.
Mapping out the return leg
One decision to make early is how the return journey will work, since a trip planned only one way often runs into trouble at the end. Decide whether the car comes back to the same place it started or finishes elsewhere, and raise that when you enquire. Write down both times, the outward departure and the return arrival, so the dates in the booking match your actual schedule. Note who drives each leg if another named driver is involved. Consider where you will park at either end and whether the car needs to wait with you. Sorting the return at the outset avoids difficult conversations later.
Keeping companions in the picture
If others are travelling with you, agree the plan with them before the booking is finalised, as shared expectations make the day easier. Tell each companion the departure time, the route you have in mind and where you plan to stop. Ask how much luggage each person is bringing, since several large cases change which vehicle group makes sense. Note any preferences, such as a request for extra legroom or a particular type of seat. If someone is being collected en route, confirm the meeting point with them directly. A short message to the group with the key details usually prevents confusion on the morning itself.
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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.