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.
Questions Worth Asking Before a Quote
Before requesting a price, draft the questions you want answered. You might ask which vehicle groups are open across your dates, whether an automatic is listed among them, and how delivery or collection would work at the address you have in mind. Note whether the quoted figure covers everything or whether extras apply, and what happens if your plans change after booking. Keep your own details ready as well: the dates, the named drivers, and the sort of driving you expect, from short local trips to longer runs. Writing both lists side by side means you can compare the answers you receive rather than trying to remember them. Anything the reply leaves unclear can go on a follow-up note, and the team can address it before you commit.
Travelling With Children and Luggage
Families have a few extra things to note. Count the child seats you will need, record each child's age or weight if the team asks, and decide whether you are bringing your own seats or asking what is available. List the bags too, including prams and any bulky items, so the size of boot you need is clear from the outset. It can help to plan the itinerary on paper, noting pickup times, stops and who is collecting whom, since children's routines rarely match adult ones. A contact number for whoever is waiting at the other end is worth keeping with the booking details. If you are unsure whether an estate or a people carrier suits your list, include the list with your enquiry and let the team respond.
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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.