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.
Packing for a Short Break
The first choice to make is how many bags each traveller is bringing and where they will sit. List the suitcases, holdalls and any extras such as coats, boots or a pushchair, and note roughly how large each one is. If the boot space looks tight, you can raise the vehicle groups when you contact the team, and ask which options typically suit a similar load. Decide in advance whether anything fragile travels in the cabin with a passenger. Note the dates, the driver details and where you would like the car delivered, and mention your destination only if it affects the vehicle choice. A written list makes the conversation straightforward and gives you something to check against before departure.
Arranging an Arrival-Day Itinerary
Think through the first day before you travel rather than after you arrive. Note your expected arrival time, the address of your accommodation, and a contact number for whoever is receiving you. If you are collecting keys from an office or a private host, record their hours and ask what happens if you are delayed. Plan the route order for the day, whether that is check-in first and shopping second, and list anything you need to buy or collect on the way. Keep the driver's details and booking reference with the itinerary, and note where the car can be parked overnight if that has been confirmed. Any questions the host cannot answer can be raised with the team before the hire begins.
Explore other car hire areas
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.















