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.
Keeping a Day Plan With Room to Change
Your first decision is which dates you need the car, and it helps to build a loose plan around them rather than a rigid timetable. Write down the things you definitely want to do, then mark the ones that could move if the weather turns or a visit runs long. Note the addresses of each stop, roughly how long you expect to spend at each, and whether any require advance booking. If your plans involve several passengers, list their names and contact numbers so you can coordinate pickups on the day. Keep a short list of optional extras, such as a shop or a viewpoint, that you could add if time allows. When requesting a quote, share your dates, the number of travellers and any luggage, and ask about anything still unclear, such as collection arrangements.
Coordinating Several Passengers in One Booking
If more than one person is travelling with you, gather the practical details before the hire begins. Note how many passengers there will be, how much luggage each is bringing, and whether anyone has bulky items such as pushchairs, golf clubs or ski bags that could affect the vehicle group you choose. Ask each traveller for a contact number and, where relevant, the address they need collecting from or dropping at. Agree expected times in advance, since a delay for one person can affect everyone else's plans. It is also worth recording who holds the keys to any property you are visiting, in case arrival arrangements change. When you contact the team for a quote, include the driver details, dates, destination requirements and passenger list, and raise any questions about vehicle size so the right option can be confirmed.
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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.