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.
Setting Up a Multi-Week Car Hire
If your trip stretches over several weeks, the first decision is pinning down exact start and finish dates, including the time of day you would collect or need delivery. Note who will be driving, since adding another named driver changes what the team needs to know, and record where the car will be based overnight, whether that is a driveway, a hotel car park or somewhere else. It also helps to list the passengers joining for the whole period and any who only travel part of the way, along with their luggage. Questions you might raise include whether a particular group suits an extended period and how delivery or collection could work at each end. Writing these points down keeps your enquiry clear and easy to answer.
Packing for a Weekend Break
For a short break, start by listing what each person intends to bring, then sort the list into items that must travel in the cabin and those that can go in the boot. A weekend bag, a pair of walking boots and a cool box take up different amounts of room, so note rough sizes for anything awkward, such as a folded pushchair or a set of golf clubs. Decide whether you will need space for shopping or equipment on the return leg, since that can change what fits where. If you are collecting anyone on the way, note their address and contact number too. Passing these details to the team alongside your dates lets them confirm which vehicle group matches your plans and answer any remaining questions before you book.
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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.