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.
Travelling with Children and Bags
If you are travelling with children, it helps to write down their ages before you request a quote, since this affects the seats you might bring or ask about. Count the bags you expect to carry and note whether any are unusually shaped, such as a folded pushchair, a travel cot or a set of skis. Measuring the longest items at home gives you figures you can pass on when discussing vehicle groups. You could also list who is travelling, any boosters or carriers you already own, and the dates you need the car from and until. Any question about whether your equipment suits a particular model is one to raise with the team before booking rather than assuming.
Keeping a Flexible Day Plan
A loose itinerary often serves families better than a rigid timetable. Consider drafting a rough schedule that lists fixed commitments, such as a booked activity or a family lunch, alongside optional stops you could drop if the day runs long. Sharing this draft with everyone travelling helps surface conflicting expectations early. When you contact the team, you might mention the days you definitely need the car and any spare days you could add if plans change, since extension arrangements are worth asking about upfront. Note the contact details of anyone you plan to visit so you can adjust timings on the day. Leave the question of which roads or routes to use open until you have confirmed your vehicle, as preferences can shift once plans settle.
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.