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.
Counting passengers before you request a car
How many people will actually travel with you? Answering that early gives the team a clear brief when you ask for a quote. Note each passenger's name, whether any child seats or boosters are required, and roughly how many bags each person expects to bring, because a full set of suitcases changes the conversation about vehicle groups. Jot down the confirmed dates, including collection and return times, and any preferred pick-up point. If someone else in your party might take a turn at the wheel, record their details as well. You can then ask which group suits your headcount and luggage, what delivery or collection arrangements are possible, and whether anything on your list affects the price before you commit.
Sharing the trip plan with your travel party
Who else needs to know the details of your trip? Once dates are settled, send the itinerary to everyone travelling so nobody is working from assumptions. A short shared note might list the departure time, planned stops, overnight arrangements if relevant, and a contact number for anyone meeting you at the far end. If you are collecting a person or item from a third party, ask them for a phone number and confirm the address in writing, then pass these to your passengers too. It is worth agreeing in advance who holds the booking reference and who contacts the hire team if plans shift. Questions worth raising when you enquire include how changes to dates are handled and who to notify, so your whole group knows what to do if something moves.
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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.