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.
Travelling with Children and Bags
If you are arranging a car with young passengers in mind, it helps to write down their ages before you enquire, since seat and booster requirements depend on them. Note how many children are travelling, whether you plan to bring your own child seats and how many bags, pushchairs or travel cots will come along. Measuring the folded pushchair and the largest suitcase gives the team useful figures when they suggest a vehicle group. You might also list any extras such as a buggy board or a cool bag. When you contact the office, asking whether a particular boot shape suits a pushchair is a reasonable question, and noting your preferred collection time keeps the booking conversation straightforward.
Organising a Longer Stay
Suppose your trip runs for a fortnight rather than a weekend. In that case, it is worth preparing a short itinerary with the start and end dates, any planned departure times and the address where the car should be delivered or collected. If someone else will receive the vehicle at the end of the hire, note their name and contact number so arrangements can be confirmed directly. List the total number of passengers and the luggage you expect, including anything bulky like golf clubs or a bicycle rack you intend to bring yourself. Questions worth raising include whether the vehicle group you prefer is held for the full period and what happens if your return date shifts. Writing these details down before you call keeps the enquiry clear.
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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.