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.
Deciding what to pack for a short break
The first choice to make is how much each person is packing. For a short break, list what you realistically need rather than what you might need: one main bag per person, plus shared items such as toiletries, chargers and coats. Note the type of luggage too, since two soft holdalls and two rigid suitcases take up different amounts of room in a boot. If you are bringing equipment for the trip, such as walking boots or a foldable pushchair, include it on the list. Once you have the totals, mention them when you enquire, because the team can then advise whether a compact car, an estate or a people carrier suits your dates and plans. Keeping the list also helps you avoid repacking at the last minute.
Travelling with children and their bags
Travelling with children changes the arithmetic of luggage. Count each child's seat or booster and check whether it suits the car group you have in mind. List the bags they will each have, including any small rucksacks for the journey, and add shared items like pushchairs, travel cots or sterilising kit. Note what your children are likely to want within reach during the drive, and set those things aside from the main luggage. If you are collecting other family members or friends on the way, record their addresses and how much they are bringing. Sharing the full picture of passengers and bags with the team when you book helps them confirm the right vehicle, delivery or collection option and price before you set off.
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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.