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 Your First Day on the Road
What should the opening hours of your hire actually look like? Start by writing down the day you collect or take delivery, the time the car is needed, and every stop you already know about, from a morning appointment to an evening arrival at a relative's house. Note whether any legs of the journey are fixed, such as a booked event, and which parts remain flexible. If someone is meeting you partway, record their name and contact number so you can update them if timings shift. A rough list of the hours you expect to spend at each stop helps you judge whether the dates you have pencilled in are realistic. Any gaps or unanswered timing questions are worth flagging when you ask for a quote, since the team can then talk through the vehicle groups and options that suit your plan.
Listing Passengers Before You Book
Who will be travelling with you? Before requesting a quote, set out the full passenger list, including anyone joining for only part of the trip, and note the ages of children so that seating arrangements can be discussed. Count the bags separately from the people: a weekend case for each traveller, a folded pushchair or a set of golf clubs all take up room that a headcount alone will not reveal. If passengers have particular requests, such as needing to arrive at different times or be dropped at separate addresses, list those addresses and the order you expect to visit them. Where a passenger is the main contact at the destination, write down their phone number. The clearer this list is when you first enquire, the more useful the conversation about estates, SUVs and people carriers will be.
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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.