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.
Working out your return journey dates
Before requesting a quote, decide exactly when the car needs to be back and whether your plans allow any flexibility. A return trip often involves an outward leg with a firm arrival time and a homeward leg with a looser window, so write down both and consider what happens if the return slips by a few hours. Note the pickup day, the handover day and any buffer you would want between them. If your return depends on a flight, a ferry or a booked event finishing, record that dependency and ask the team how the dates would be treated in the hire terms. Asking whether a single extra day changes the quote is a reasonable question to include at the outset.
Sharing the details with everyone travelling
If other people are travelling with you, gather their information early rather than on the morning of the trip. Note who needs to be collected and at what time, where each person lives, and a mobile number for anyone whose plans might change. Share the itinerary with the whole group so they can spot mistakes, and agree a single point of contact for decisions on the day. It is also worth recording how much luggage each person expects to bring, particularly if you are considering an estate or people carrier rather than a smaller model. Pass the combined passenger and luggage summary to the team when you enquire, and ask any open questions about vehicle groups before you commit.
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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.















