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.
Picking a suitable car
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.
Travelling with children and bags
Should the trip involve young passengers, a little preparation before you enquire goes a long way. List the number of children travelling, their ages and whether you will bring your own child seats or need to note this as a requirement when you ask for a price. Count the bags too: a family of five with a pushchair, a travel cot and four suitcases presents a very different picture from a couple with two overnight bags. Note whether the boot needs to swallow a buggy folded flat or a set of golf clubs, as this helps the team suggest an estate, an SUV or a people carrier. If the itinerary involves several stops, such as a school run followed by a supermarket trip, jot down the order. The question that remains open is which vehicle group suits both the passenger count and the luggage you have listed.
Sharing trip details with companions
When several people are travelling together, it helps to agree the plan before anyone requests a quote. Confirm the dates with each companion, note who will be driving and record their details, and settle whether the itinerary includes any detours, overnight stays or a change of driver partway through. Ask everyone what luggage they plan to bring, including any oversized items, and note the largest bag's rough dimensions. If one companion prefers an automatic and another has no preference, record that as a requirement rather than leaving it vague. Once these points are gathered, share them with the team along with your preferred delivery or collection arrangement. The open question is whether your combined requirements point to a single vehicle group or whether the team will suggest alternatives for your dates.
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Last checks 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.















