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.
Questions to prepare before a quote
A short list of questions prepared in advance can make the quoting stage more straightforward. Start with the dates you need the car and whether those might shift, then note the driver details the team will ask for. Consider asking which vehicle groups could suit your plans and what delivery or collection options exist for your address. If you want an automatic, an estate or a people carrier, say so early. You might also ask whether child seats can be accommodated and who to contact during the hire period if something changes. Writing the answers next to each question keeps the information to hand when you compare options and confirm the booking.
Travelling with children and bags
If children are travelling, note their ages and how many seats or boosters you will bring, then count the bags each person expects to carry. List the largest items, such as pushchairs or travel cots, with their folded dimensions if you have them, since these often influence which vehicle group makes sense for the trip. Record the destination address and a contact number there, plus the dates and times you need the car. For longer trips, note how many suitcases versus soft bags you will have, and whether anything needs to stay accessible during the journey. Sharing these details when you enquire allows the team to talk through the options, and any remaining questions about space or seating can be raised before you confirm the booking.
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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.