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.
Arranging an Arrival-Day Itinerary
What does the first day of your trip actually look like? Sketching a rough sequence before you travel helps you decide when the car needs to be ready. List the places you must reach, in order, with the times that matter most, such as a booked activity or a check-in window. Note where the day starts and finishes, and whether the car sits parked for long stretches or moves between stops. If several people share the driving, note who is available at each stage. This itinerary is for your own planning, so keep it loose where timings are flexible and firm where they are not. When you speak to the team about delivery or collection, you can describe the schedule and ask any questions about how the arrangements fit around it.
Packing for a Short Break
Before you request a vehicle, it helps to know roughly what you are bringing. List your bags by type and size, noting whether you are travelling with soft holdalls, rigid suitcases or a mixture, and include anything awkward like a golf bag, a pushchair or a folding bike. Estimate dimensions for the bulkiest items rather than counting on them squeezing in alongside everything else. If passengers want items within reach during the journey, note those separately from the bags that can go in the boot for the whole trip. Once you have the list, ask the team which vehicle groups suit it and what the trade-offs are between boot space and passenger room. A written tally also makes it easier to spot anything forgotten before the hire begins.
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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.