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.
Setting Dates for a Short Break
Before requesting a quote, decide whether the car needs to be with you the evening before departure or only on the morning itself. Some travellers prefer a buffer day for packing and a final check of the route, while others collect on the day to keep the hire window tight. Note the exact start and end dates, including whether the return falls on a weekday or weekend, and write down any flexibility you have around them. If your break involves a hotel check-in time or a ferry slot, record those hours too, since the hire period should cover every leg of the journey. A short list of these details gives the team something concrete to price against.
Passenger and Luggage Lists
If children are travelling, list each passenger by age alongside the bags they will bring, from buggies and car seats to rucksacks and holdalls. Note the rough dimensions of anything awkward, such as a folded pushchair or a child's travel cot, since these often shape which vehicle group makes sense. Count the adults too, and note whether anyone prefers extra legroom or needs space for a coat and hand luggage beside them. Where a cot, travel highchair or sports kit is coming along, add it to the tally so nothing is guessed later. With these figures written down, you can describe your luggage to the team in plain terms and ask which body style suits the party for the dates you have in mind.
Explore other car hire areas
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.