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.
Bringing several passengers into the plan
How many people will actually travel on each day? Settling that question early shapes almost every other decision, from the vehicle group you request to the luggage you can reasonably bring along. Write down every passenger's name alongside the days they expect to travel, since plans often shift mid-trip and a driver listed for Monday may not be needed on Wednesday. Note whether anyone has their own suitcase, holdall or sports bag, and record rough dimensions for awkward items such as golf clubs, pushchairs or folded wheelchairs. Decide who holds the keys on which days and where spare keys stay. If two or three drivers share the booking, gather licence details for each before requesting a quote, and ask the team how additional drivers are handled. It's also worth asking how a change of driver mid-hire is confirmed.
Notes for an extended booking
A longer stay brings its own list of things to record. Start with precise start and end dates, then note the delivery address, any alternative collection point and a phone number for someone reachable on the handover day. If the car sits at a hotel, a relative's drive or a workplace between journeys, write down who accepts responsibility for it there and who to phone if arrangements change. Consider which vehicle group suits the whole stay: an estate or people carrier may be worth requesting if shopping, equipment or extra guests appear during the trip. Ask whether the vehicle can be swapped mid-hire if plans widen, how extensions are arranged, and what happens if you return earlier than planned. Keeping one page of dates, contacts and vehicle questions gives the team everything needed for a firm quote.
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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.