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.
Packing for a Short Break
If a weekend away is on the cards, start by listing what each traveller intends to bring before you request a vehicle. Note the number of suitcases, holdalls and smaller bags, and jot down rough dimensions or at least whether each case is cabin-sized or check-in sized. A written list helps you see at a glance whether a boot will need to swallow four large cases or a couple of soft bags and a pushchair. You might also record which items are awkward in shape, such as golf clubs, a folded buggy or a cool box. When you contact the team, share the list alongside your dates and destination so they can talk you through the vehicle groups that could suit, and ask any questions you still have about collection arrangements.
Sharing Trip Details with Companions
When several people are travelling together, it pays to agree the plan in writing before anyone books. Settle the departure date and rough timings, who needs collecting from where, and how many bags each person is responsible for. A simple shared message thread or note can capture driver details, contact numbers and the agreed meeting point for pickup. If children or older relatives are coming, note their seating needs too, including child seats you plan to bring. Keeping everyone's details in one place means you can pass a complete picture to the team when asking for a quote, and companions can raise questions early rather than on the morning of the trip. Ask whether anything in the plan is still undecided.
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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.