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 Ahead for a Longer Stay
If you are arranging a car for a week or more, the dates become the first thing to fix. Write down the start and end days, then list who will be driving and any preferences, such as an automatic gearbox or a particular group like an estate or SUV. For an extended stay, a luggage list is just as useful: note each suitcase, holdall or piece of equipment, with rough dimensions for anything bulky. Think about where the car will be based during the stay and whether delivery or collection suits you better at each end. When you ask for a quote, include the full dates, driver details and location, and raise any open questions about vehicle groups so the team can confirm the price and options.
Sketching an Arrival-Day Itinerary
Suppose your train or flight lands in the morning — an arrival-day plan written in advance can save a scramble later. Note the expected arrival time, the first stop you need to make, and whether that is a shop, a relative's address or your accommodation. Record contact details for anyone meeting you, and add their phone numbers to your notes in case of delays. If several errands are squeezed into day one, list them in the order you intend to do them and estimate how long each might take. Mentioning this rough itinerary when you enquire is optional, but it can prompt useful questions about the vehicle group, and the team will still need your dates and driver details to confirm delivery or collection and the final price.
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.















