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 vehicle you choose shapes what you can bring, so it makes sense to plan the packing before requesting a quote. Start with a list of everything you intend to take: suitcases, weekend bags, a pushchair, walking boots or a cool box. Beside each item, note its approximate size, since three medium cases occupy different space from one large case and two holdalls. If your break involves golf clubs, skis or a bicycle, write down those dimensions as well, because equipment often decides whether an estate or SUV is the sensible group to ask about. Record how many people are travelling and how many bags each person expects to bring. You can then ask the team which vehicle groups match your list and dates, and whether anything you plan to carry needs mentioning before you confirm the booking.
Sketching an Arrival-Day Itinerary
A little thought about your first day helps you give the team clear dates and times. Write out the arrival plan in order: the time your ferry, train or flight lands, the address you are heading to first, and any check-in time already agreed with your accommodation. Note the contact name and telephone number at that first stop, since you may need to ring ahead if the journey slips. If the day includes a supermarket stop, a family visit or an evening meal booking, add those times to the same list so the schedule stays realistic. Decide who will drive first and whether any additional drivers need adding to the arrangement. Questions worth asking include when the car can be collected on day one and how the handover works at the end of the hire.
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.