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.
Counting passengers before you choose a car
How many people are travelling? Pinning down the headcount early shapes every other decision. Note who is going, whether any passengers have particular needs, and how much luggage each person expects to bring. With those figures, you can tell the team your dates and let them confirm the right vehicle group, whether that is a compact city car, an estate or a people carrier. Collect a mobile number for each passenger so you can reach them if timings change, and agree in advance who is being collected from where. If a child seat or extra boot space is likely to be needed, add it to your notes rather than assuming it can be sorted later. Any open questions about delivery or collection can go on the same list for the team.
Circulating the itinerary among your companions
Once the itinerary is drafted, send it round before anyone commits to other plans. A shared note covering the dates, the route, and any stops you intend to make gives companions a chance to raise conflicts early. Include the name and number of a contact at your destination, if someone is expecting you, and note the agreed pickup time for each passenger. If the trip involves an event, record its start time and work backwards. Companions can confirm what they are bringing, which helps you judge whether the luggage will need trimming. Keep a copy of the driver details you gave the team so everyone knows who is named on the booking. Questions about the hire itself, from vehicle groups to prices, are best raised when you request your quote.
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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.