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.
Note Children, Seats and Bag Sizes
Which car suits a family with luggage? Begin by listing every traveller, including children and their ages, then count the bags: suitcases, backpacks, pushchairs and car seats all take space. Note the folded dimensions of the pushchair and whether each car seat is a booster or a full harness model, since these details shape the vehicle group you request. If a child usually travels with a particular seat, write down its make rather than assuming one is supplied. Add the dates you need the car and where you would like it delivered or collected. When you enquire, present this list and ask which vehicle groups fit your party, what the driver details should include, and whether any child-related items affect the booking — questions the team can answer before you commit.
Put the Itinerary in Front of Companions
Who else needs to know the plan? If friends or family are travelling with you, agree the itinerary in writing: departure date, return date, stops along the way and roughly when you expect to arrive at each. Share who is the main driver and who else might drive, since names and licence details usually form part of the enquiry. Note each companion's contact number so changes reach everyone quickly. Keep a copy of the delivery or collection arrangements with the itinerary. When asking for a quote, include your dates, the driver details and where you need the car, then ask any remaining questions — for example, how a change of dates would be handled or which vehicle group matches your party. One shared document avoids conflicting versions of the plan.
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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.