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.
Planning Around Several Passengers
How many people will actually travel, and will that number stay fixed? Answering that early keeps the rest of your planning straightforward. Write down the hire dates, each passenger's name, and how many bags they intend to bring, including hand luggage. If someone is joining or leaving partway through, note the timing so the whole itinerary sits on one page. Where a passenger has particular seating needs or prefers a certain style of car, record that alongside their name. It also helps to note the contact details of anyone meeting you at the other end, in case plans change. Questions you cannot settle yet can be marked as open, and the team will quote against whatever details you have confirmed.
Travelling With Children and Luggage
Will children be part of the group, and what will they need for the journey? Start by listing every child alongside the adults, since passenger numbers influence which vehicle group suits you. Note each child's luggage separately, from small rucksacks to pushchairs, and record the folded dimensions of anything bulky. If you plan to bring travel cots, booster cushions or other equipment, measure them and add the figures to your list. Sketching a rough itinerary, with departure times and stops, gives the team a clearer idea of the hire window. You might also record who will be contacted at the destination if arrangements shift. Any gaps in your notes can be raised as questions when you request a quote.
Explore other car hire areas
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.