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.
Travelling with children and bags
If children are part of your travel group, their needs can shape which car makes sense for the trip. Count how many child seats or boosters you will bring, note the ages of the children, and add up the bags, pushchairs and any other items travelling with you. A family of five with a pushchair and two suitcases has different requirements from a couple on an overnight stay, so the numbers matter. It can help to measure or estimate the size of larger items like travel cots or sports bags. Recording all of this before you enquire gives the team a clearer picture when discussing vehicle groups, from estates through to people carriers. You might also note whether the children need extra stops planned into the journey.
Preparing questions before a quote
Gathering your questions in advance tends to make the enquiry stage smoother for everyone. Start with the basics: the dates you have in mind, how many drivers there will be, and whether anyone requires an automatic. Consider whether you would prefer to collect the car or have it delivered, and whether the return location differs. If your plans are not yet fixed, ask how flexible the dates are and what happens if you need to extend. You could also ask which vehicle groups are available for your dates and how the choice between an SUV and an estate affects your booking. Writing these down before you get in touch means fewer follow-up messages and a more complete answer the first time around.
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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.