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.
Planning your arrival day schedule
What will the first hour of your trip actually involve? That question is worth answering before you request a car, because it shapes what you tell the team. If you are arriving by train or plane, note the expected arrival time and any buffer you would like for delays, then decide whether collection or delivery suits that first hour. Write down every stop you plan to make on day one, including shops, appointments or family visits, and estimate how long each might take. If someone is meeting you, record their name and a phone number so the schedule can be adjusted quickly if plans shift. Share the full itinerary when you ask for a quote, since the team can then confirm the vehicle group, delivery or collection options and price in one response.
Getting ready for a work trip
Business travel tends to run more smoothly when the details are gathered early rather than the night before. Start with your dates, including whether you might need the car earlier or later than first planned, and note the driver details the team will ask for. List the passengers you expect to carry and the bags each person will bring, noting anything unusually shaped such as display boards or sample cases, with their approximate dimensions. Record the addresses of each meeting or site, along with a named contact at each who could answer questions about parking or access if arrangements change. If your schedule involves several stops in one day, sketch the running order and timings. Passing all of this over when you request a quote lets the team confirm the right vehicle group and price without follow-up exchanges.
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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.