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.
Note Your Driver Preferences Early
Before requesting a quote, write down the details that shape your choice of car. Note the dates you need it, whether an automatic or manual suits the named drivers, and how many people will travel. Jot down preferences such as a roomy boot for shopping trips or a compact body for tight parking spots. If the driver changes partway through the hire, record each person's details and the dates they will be behind the wheel. Keep a note of where you would like the car delivered or whether you would prefer to collect it. Listing these points in advance gives the team a clear picture, and any questions left open, such as whether a particular group is free on your dates, can be raised when you make contact.
Share Trip Details With Companions
If others are travelling with you, agree the plan together before booking. Write out a simple itinerary showing departure time, stops and return date, then share it so everyone knows what to expect. Ask each passenger to list their luggage, including size of suitcases or bags, so you can decide whether an estate or people carrier fits the group. Collect contact numbers for anyone joining partway or leaving early, and note who is responsible for confirming the booking. Discuss whether one driver will cover the whole trip or whether another named driver might take over on a longer run. Once these details are settled, share the summary with the group and keep a copy for your quote request.
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.















