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 many people are travelling?
How many people are travelling? Settle that number first, because it shapes everything else. List each passenger, their luggage and any bulky items such as pushchairs or golf clubs, with dimensions for anything unusual. Note whether anyone prefers an automatic and whether child seats are needed. If passengers are joining at different points, record where and when each one boards. For the quote, ask whether a compact, estate, SUV, executive saloon or people carrier suits your list and what driver details the team requires. Keeping the passenger list in one place means you can answer questions quickly when they come up, and it gives you a reference if plans change before the hire dates arrive.
What should arrival day look like?
What happens on arrival day? Sketch the schedule hour by hour and note where the car needs to be at each point. Record addresses, contact names and phone numbers for every stop, whether that is a hotel, a relative's house or a collection point. Build in the questions you still need answers to, such as parking arrangements at each destination, which the destination contact can confirm. Note the hire start and end times against your itinerary so you can see whether the dates line up. If the day involves several drivers, list who drives which leg and what details they need to provide. Ask the team about delivery or collection options that fit the schedule when you request a price.
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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.