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.
Choosing a Vehicle for a Short Break
One of the first decisions to settle is which vehicle group suits your short break. If you are travelling as a family with a boot full of suitcases, you might note down how many bags you plan to bring and roughly how large each one is, since an estate or SUV could be worth discussing with the team. A couple heading away for a weekend with only a couple of holdalls may find a compact city car or an automatic fits their list. Write out your passenger count and luggage inventory before requesting a quote, and include any extras such as a pushchair or golf clubs, along with their approximate dimensions, so the team can talk you through the available groups and help you weigh up which option matches your plans.
Planning the Return Journey Home
If your break involves a return trip, it pays to think through both legs of the journey before you book. Consider whether your departure date and return date are fixed, or whether there is any flexibility that might affect the hire period you request. Note where the car needs to be on each day, whether that is a home address, a hotel or another delivery point, and record any contact details for people meeting you along the way. If someone at your destination expects you at a certain time, keep their number handy so you can update them if arrangements shift. When you ask for a quote, questions worth raising include collection and delivery options for both ends, which vehicle groups are available on your dates, and what the team needs from you as the named driver to confirm the booking.
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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.