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.
Comparing everyday car sizes
If you are weighing up which vehicle group suits your plans, sketching your usual week can point you in the right direction. Note how many people normally travel, whether that is a daily commute alone or family trips at weekends, and what you typically carry, from shopping bags to sports gear or a dog. If you regularly move larger items, such as flat-pack furniture or garden equipment, write down the biggest thing you have transported recently and its rough dimensions. Where two options appeal, listing the pros and cons for each against your own routine gives you a clearer brief. These notes can go into your enquiry so the team can talk through the vehicle groups with you.
Sharing trip details with companions
When others are joining the journey, a shared note of the arrangements keeps everyone aligned. Record the hire dates, who the named driver is, where the car will be collected or delivered and the time passengers should be ready. If the trip involves stops, such as collecting someone en route or visiting two different addresses, list these in order so the driver has a simple itinerary to follow. Companions might also want to know who holds the booking reference and who to contact about changes, so settle that when you share the details. Anything that remains undecided, like a final meeting point, can be added as an open question to raise before you confirm.
Explore other car hire areas
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.