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.
Packing for a Short Break
Before you request a quote, it helps to settle what each person is bringing. Start by listing every suitcase, holdall and soft bag, then note roughly how large each one is, since a family with four cabin-size cases has different needs from a couple travelling with one large suitcase apiece. If anyone is carrying awkward items such as golf clubs, a pushchair or a set of walking poles, write those down separately with their approximate lengths. Once you have a clear tally, you can ask the team which vehicle groups suit your combination of passengers and bags, and whether a roof rack or other option would be worth considering. Keep the list handy when you call, because a specific request usually gets a more precise answer than a rough guess, and it may prompt useful follow-up questions.
Sharing Trip Details with Companions
If several people are travelling together, agree the practical details before anyone books. Decide who will be the named driver, when the car is needed from and until, and where each person expects to be collected or dropped off. It is also worth circulating the hire dates to the group so nobody arranges conflicting plans, and confirming who is responsible for paying the balance. Some travellers like to share a simple itinerary noting departure time, stops and the arrival deadline, which helps everyone pack accordingly and flag any luggage questions early. Where the destination has its own arrival rules, such as a late check-in cut-off, note the contact number for that venue so any questions about access go directly to the right person rather than being guessed at during the booking conversation.
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.