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.
How will you split the driving and the details?
Who is coming, and what do they already know about the plan? Before you request a quote, it helps to agree the basics with everyone travelling: which dates suit each person, who intends to drive, and how much luggage each will bring. Writing this down gives you a single list to send with your enquiry, and it reduces the chance of someone requesting a change after the vehicle group has been confirmed. You might also note any preferences within the group, such as a request for an automatic or extra space in an estate, since these affect which group the team quotes. If a companion's plans are still uncertain, ask whether they could join later or travel separately, and mention that possibility when you enquire.
Planning what happens on arrival day
What does the first hour after arrival actually look like? Sketching a rough order for the day helps you decide when the car needs to be ready and whether any timing is fixed, such as a check-in window or a pre-booked meal. Note each planned stop in sequence, along with an approximate duration and any contact number you would need if something runs late. If several people are sharing the itinerary, agree who holds the confirmation emails and who speaks to any venue on the day. You could also record where keys, tickets and chargers will be kept so nobody is searching at the kerb. Questions worth settling early include whether the vehicle is collected or delivered, and what happens if your arrival is delayed.
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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.















