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.
Packing lists for a short break
Before choosing a car, it is worth drafting a packing list for your short break rather than guessing at the end. Count the suitcases, soft bags and any separate items such as a cool box, golf clubs or a folded pushchair, and note roughly how large each one is. Travellers who pack light may find a smaller vehicle group perfectly adequate, whereas a family with a boot full of luggage might lean towards an estate or a people carrier. Write down the number of people travelling too, since bags and passengers both count. If you expect to pick anything up on the way home, add a line for that as well. A simple list turns a vague request into a specific one when you contact the team.
Factoring in driver preferences
Driver preferences are just as relevant as luggage, so ask everyone who might take the wheel what they want from the car. Some drivers prefer an automatic, while others are content with a manual; some favour a higher seating position, others a compact body for narrow lanes. Note whether any additional drivers will be added to the booking and gather their details in advance. If the trip splits into several legs, record who is driving which part, because that can influence the type of car requested. Preferences alone do not decide the matter, but listing them alongside your dates and delivery point gives the team a clearer brief. Any questions about availability for your chosen group can be raised when you ask for a quote.
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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.