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.
Travelling with Children and Bags
If children are part of the journey, the first thing to pin down is how many will travel and what each needs for the trip. Writing a list covering their ages, the bags belonging to each and any pushchairs or booster seats you plan to bring gives you a clear picture before approaching the team. You might also measure the folded size of larger items and note which child they belong to, so nothing is guessed at later. Where the itinerary is still loose, marking which stops are definite and which are optional leaves room to adjust without redrawing the whole day. Any questions still open, such as whether a second driver will be needed, can be gathered together for the quote request.
Preparing Questions Before a Quote
Before contacting the team, it can help to draft the questions you want answered. You might start with the basics, including the dates, where the car would be collected from and whether the same point works for the return. From there, note anything specific to your plans, such as whether a particular vehicle group suits the number of passengers and bags you have listed. Recording a contact number for anyone depending on the trip, such as a nursery or family member, means you can share updates quickly if timings shift. Keeping these questions in one place, alongside your passenger and luggage lists, makes the conversation more focused and highlights anything still to be decided.
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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.