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 a family trip is on the cards, it helps to write down who is travelling and what each person will bring before you look at vehicles. A note covering children's ages, pushchairs, booster seats and the number of overnight bags gives you a clear picture to work from. You might also measure anything bulky, such as a travel cot or a folded buggy, so you have the figures ready if you want to ask about a particular vehicle group. Consider whether the boot needs to hold shopping on the return leg, and whether anyone will add luggage partway through the trip. These details can be noted on paper and adjusted as plans settle, and anything you're unsure about can be raised with the team when you enquire.
Preparing Questions Before a Quote
Before requesting a price, it can be worth listing the points you'd like answered so nothing gets missed. Useful questions might include which vehicle groups are offered for your dates, whether an automatic or an estate suits your plans, and what the delivery or collection arrangements would involve. You could also ask how a people carrier compares with an SUV for your group, or whether child seats can be accommodated. Writing down your travel dates, the named drivers and your preferred handover point keeps the enquiry tidy. If part of your journey involves meeting someone, note their contact details too. Once your list is complete, the team can respond to each point and confirm the vehicle group and price before you book.
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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.