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.
Planning the return leg of your trip
One of the first decisions to settle is whether your outbound and return legs fall on the same day, since that shape of trip often determines how many hire days you request. If the return happens on a later date, note the expected handback time and whether anything about the driver or the pickup point changes in between. It is worth recording where the car will sit overnight, if that applies, and whether a different named driver takes the wheel home. When you ask for a quote, include the full date range, the collection or delivery arrangements at both ends, and any variation in passenger numbers between legs. The team can then confirm the vehicle group and price against your actual itinerary rather than an assumption.
Comparing everyday car sizes
Before requesting a vehicle group, sketch out who and what will travel on the busiest leg of the journey. Count the passengers, list the bags, and note any awkward items such as pushchairs, golf clubs or folding bicycles, ideally with rough dimensions. A compact city car may suit a solo traveller with one holdall, while an estate or SUV gives more room for a family and their luggage. If you are wavering between two sizes, write down the item list and share it with the team, who can suggest which group fits your description. Also mention whether any passenger needs an automatic gearbox, since that narrows the choice. The more precise your list, the clearer the answer on availability and cost.
Explore other car hire areas
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.