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.
Keeping a flexible day plan
Before you request a quote, it helps to sketch out how you would like each day to unfold. Decide which mornings you need the car earliest, whether any afternoons are unstructured, and where you might want to leave the vehicle between stops. If your party could split up, note whether one itinerary or two would suit you better. Jot down the dates you are certain about and any that could shift, since that detail may affect which vehicle groups you can choose from. Keep a note of who will be travelling on each day and roughly how many bags they expect to bring. If someone needs collecting at a set time, record their contact number so arrangements can be adjusted on the day if plans change.
Planning your arrival day
The first day of a hire often sets the tone for the rest, so it is worth thinking through in advance. Note your expected arrival time, who will be meeting you, and whether the car needs to be collected or delivered to a particular address. If you are heading straight from a station or another drop-off point, write down the contact details of whoever is expecting you, in case timings move. Decide whether the first drive should be short or whether a longer run is planned, and list any luggage arriving with you, including items such as pushchairs or musical instruments with their approximate dimensions. When you ask for a quote, mention the arrival date separately from later dates, and raise any questions about vehicle groups or delivery windows while plans are still flexible.
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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.