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.
Planning Your First Day on the Road
What time do you actually need the car on your first day? That single question shapes everything else, so it is worth answering it before you request a quote. If your arrival involves a flight, train or ferry connection, note the expected landing or departure times and build in a buffer for delays. Write down where the journey begins and ends, whether that is an address, a hotel or a family member's home, and decide whether collection or delivery suits your plans better. A rough hour-by-hour outline for day one helps the team see the vehicle window you need, and it also flags any early starts or late finishes that might affect your booking. Keep a note of who will be travelling, since driver details and passenger numbers influence the vehicle group.
Packing Notes for a Short Break
If the trip is a weekend away, a short packing list written in advance keeps the quote conversation straightforward. Count the suitcases, holdalls and smaller bags, and jot down roughly how large each one is, since a couple of soft bags behave differently from hard-shell cases. Note any extras that take up room, such as pushchairs, golf clubs, walking boots or a cool box, and record their approximate dimensions. Think about whether passengers will want items within reach during the drive, because that influences how much of the load space remains for the main luggage. If you are unsure whether everything will sit comfortably, list the items and share the list when you enquire, then ask which vehicle group the team would suggest. Any questions about access at your accommodation should go to the accommodation 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.