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.
Listing luggage before a short break
The first decision many travellers make is how much luggage each person intends to bring. Before requesting a quote, it can help to list every passenger and every bag, noting whether you are carrying suitcases, soft holdalls or bulky items such as golf clubs or a pushchair. Measuring the longest item and writing down its dimensions gives the team something concrete to work from when suggesting a vehicle group. You might also note your departure and return dates, along with any flexibility around them, since this can affect what is available. If you are unsure whether an estate or a people carrier is the better match, include your list with your enquiry and ask which group the team would recommend for the load you have described.
Sketching out the return journey
If your break has a fixed end date, it is worth sketching the return leg at the same time as the outward trip. Note when you plan to set off home, who will be driving, and whether anything needs collecting on the way, such as a parcel from a relative or shopping you could not manage on day one. If someone is meeting you when you get back, keep their contact details to hand in case timings shift. You may also want to ask, when requesting your quote, how the return of the vehicle works on the final day and whether the drop-off time can be adjusted if your plans change. A written note of these points keeps the enquiry straightforward.
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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.