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.
Noting What Your Driver Needs
Before requesting a quote, it helps to write down a few basics about whoever will be behind the wheel. Note whether they prefer an automatic or a manual gearbox, how many passengers will usually travel with them, and whether the car needs to cope with child seats, prams or bulky shopping. If the driver has a preference for a higher seating position or a particular size of car, record that too, along with the dates the car is needed and whether collection or delivery suits better. Listing these points in one place means you can pass them on in a single message, and the team can respond with the right vehicle group and price rather than asking follow-up questions. Any special requests, such as an executive saloon for a business trip, are worth flagging at this stage.
Travelling With Children and Luggage
If youngsters are joining the trip, a little preparation goes a long way when choosing your car. Count how many children are coming, note their ages, and list the child seats or boosters you plan to bring, including whether each one is rear-facing. Then think about bags: a family of four with a pushchair, a fold-up buggy and two large suitcases has different needs from a couple with weekend bags. Write down approximate dimensions for the bulkiest items so the team can consider them alongside your passenger numbers. It is also sensible to mention whether the boot will need to stay accessible during the journey, or whether everything can be packed once. These details let the hire team suggest a suitable option from the estates, SUVs and people carriers.
Explore other car hire areas
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.