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.
Listing luggage before you request a quote
The first decision worth settling is how much luggage your short break actually involves. Before contacting the team, write down every bag, case and item you expect to bring, including anything borrowed or bought on the way home. Note the rough dimensions of awkward pieces such as golf clubs, pushchairs or a folded bike, and count how many soft bags will squash into odd corners. If two travellers share one large suitcase, say so, because a list of individual items describes the load more clearly than a total number. Once the list exists, you can pass it over with your dates and preferred collection point and ask which vehicle groups suit. Any gaps in your inventory are simply questions to raise when you enquire.
Matching a car to who is driving
Who holds the steering wheel matters as much as the luggage list. If the main driver prefers an automatic, note that early, because it narrows the vehicle groups available and the team can confirm what fits your dates. Think about whether any second driver needs to be added, and have their details ready rather than deciding at the collection point. Some drivers favour a higher seating position in an SUV; others want the simplicity of a compact city car for narrow lanes and small parking spots. If executive comfort matters for part of the trip, ask whether a saloon could be arranged for those days. Sharing these preferences, alongside your dates and delivery point, lets you ask precise questions when requesting a price.
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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.