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.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
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.
Setting out a longer stay on paper
If your visit stretches over several weeks rather than a weekend, it is worth setting out the full shape of the stay before you request a quote. Note the start and end dates, whether you might extend, and any days in the middle when the car would sit unused. A simple day-by-day itinerary, even in rough form, gives the team something concrete to work from when confirming a vehicle group and price. You could also list where the car needs to be delivered and collected, plus a contact number for whoever receives it. Open questions worth asking include whether the dates can be adjusted once booked and what the options are if plans change partway through the hire.
Travelling with children and bags
Travelling with young children adds a few extra items to the checklist. Count how many passengers there will be, note each child's age, and record whether you need your own seats or will bring them. Baggage deserves the same treatment: list the number of suitcases, pushchairs and any awkward items such as travel cots, and measure anything unusually long or bulky. If a pushchair or a set of golf clubs matters to the trip, say so at the outset. When you enquire, share these details and ask which vehicle groups are available on your dates, and whether any extras can be requested with the booking. Questions still worth asking include how much notice the team needs for them.
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Things to check before booking
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.