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.
Questions worth asking before a quote
Before you ask for a price, write down the details that shape the answer. Note the exact dates, the number of drivers, and whether you prefer an automatic or a manual. List the passengers and their luggage, including the dimensions of anything unusually long, such as skis or a bicycle box. Then prepare your own questions: which vehicle groups are options for your dates, whether delivery and collection are both possible at your addresses, and what happens if your plans change. Ask who to contact on the day if something runs late, and keep that number with your booking notes. A short written list means nothing is forgotten during the call, and the team can confirm the details you care about.
Planning the return leg in advance
Return journeys are easy to leave vague until the last minute, so it helps to pin them down early. Decide whether the car comes back on the same day or later in the week, and note the time you expect to finish, adding a buffer if the final appointment could overrun. Record the drop-off address and, if it differs from the pickup, say so when you enquire. Check who will be driving back, since a different driver may need adding to the arrangement, and note their details in advance. If passengers are fewer on the return, mention it, although the vehicle group usually stays the same. Any open points, such as after-hours returns, can be raised with the team before you commit.
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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.