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.
Deciding What to Pack for a Short Break
The first decision worth settling is how much luggage your group will actually bring, because that shapes the car category you request. Before contacting the team, list each case, holdall and rucksack, and note roughly how many people are travelling. If you plan to shop during the break or bring back souvenirs, mention that when you ask about vehicle groups, since it may affect your choice between an estate and a people carrier. You could also record the dimensions of any unusually shaped item, such as a set of golf clubs or a pushchair. These details stay in your notes rather than being fixed commitments, so you can adjust them if plans change before booking.
Keeping a Flexible Day Plan
A loose itinerary can help you decide whether you need the car for two days or a full week. Write down the activities you have already arranged, such as a booked dinner or a family visit, then mark the days that remain open. This record lets you compare hire periods accurately when you request a quote. It is also worth noting where the car would sit overnight, if that is relevant to your plans, and whether any passengers have particular seating preferences. If your dates might shift, ask the team how changes to the booking would be handled. Keeping these questions written down means the conversation stays focused on the details that matter to you.
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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.















