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.
Planning Your Arrival Day
What should your first hours behind the wheel look like? Start by sketching a simple sequence for the day you collect the car: the handover time, your first stop, any appointments with fixed times, and where the vehicle needs to be returned. Write this down as a rough order rather than a minute-by-minute schedule, leaving gaps for delays or changes of plan. If someone is expecting you, note their contact number in case timings shift. Jot down whether each stop has parking arrangements or a named person to meet. When you ask for a quote, share this outline with the team so they can see how the day fits together, and raise any open questions you still have about collection windows or return arrangements.
Listing Bags for a Short Break
Which luggage will each traveller actually bring? Before requesting a vehicle, ask everyone to confirm their bags rather than guessing: one medium suitcase and a small holdall each, or a shared duffel, for example. Record the approximate size and number of items, including anything awkward like golf clubs, a pushchair or a folded wheelchair. This list helps you and the hire team judge which vehicle group suits the party, whether that is a compact automatic or a people carrier. Keep the list handy in case someone adds a bag later, and update it if plans change. If you are unsure whether your combined luggage and passenger numbers fit one category, mention the totals when enquiring and ask which group the team would suggest.
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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.