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.
Comparing everyday car sizes
If you are weighing up a compact city car against an estate or a people carrier, it helps to set down what the trip actually involves before you enquire. Note the number of drivers and passengers, roughly how many bags each person brings, and whether any items are unusually long or tall, such as golf clubs, pushchairs or a folded bicycle. Recording approximate dimensions for the bulkiest pieces gives the team something concrete to work from when suggesting a vehicle group. You might also list the dates you would collect and return the car, plus any preference between delivery and collection. If you are unsure which group suits your list, ask the team directly which options they would recommend and what the differences in price would be.
Planning a return journey
Return trips deserve as much attention as the outward leg, since the car has to come back on a specific day. Write down both dates, the preferred drop-off point and whether anyone other than the main driver might get behind the wheel, as driver details can affect what the team confirms. If your plans involve picking up extra passengers or luggage on the way home, mention that when you ask for a quote so the vehicle group matches the fuller load rather than the lighter one. You could also note the contact details of anyone you are collecting, in case timings shift on the day. Questions worth asking include whether the return time is fixed, what happens if you need the car longer, and which collection arrangements are possible at your chosen drop-off point.
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.