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.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
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.
Weighing Up Everyday Car Sizes
If you are deciding between a compact city car and something larger, start by listing what the car will actually be used for during the hire period. A run of short local trips with one or two passengers points towards one group, whereas a mixture of motorway driving, several adults and a full boot points towards another. Note the number of people travelling on the busiest day, how many bags each person brings and whether any item, such as a pushchair, bicycle rack or set of golf clubs, has unusual dimensions. Recording the dates you need the car and where you would like it delivered gives the team a complete picture. Any questions about the differences between groups, such as seating layout or boot shape, can be asked alongside your quote request.
Travelling with Children and Luggage
Where children are part of the trip, a little preparation before booking goes a long way. List each child's age and weight, since these details determine which seats are appropriate, and note how many seats you will bring yourself versus what you hope to arrange. Count the bags separately from the passengers, including any cool bag, changing bag or activity kit that tends to get forgotten, and estimate the size of the largest case. If the journey involves stops, note where you plan to pause and whether that affects the arrival time you have in mind. These details, along with your preferred collection point, can all be passed to the team, and any remaining queries about seating arrangements or delivery can be raised before you confirm.
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Things to check 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.