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.
Planning a return journey in detail
Start by fixing both dates, since the return leg often shapes the whole booking. Write down when you need the car from and when it must go back, including whether an early start or a late return is likely. Note where the car should be delivered or collected at each end, and record a contact number for anyone expecting you, such as a hotel or a family member. Think through what you will carry on the way back, since shopping, luggage or borrowed equipment can change the space you want. When you ask for a quote, you can raise any remaining questions, such as whether the vehicle groups available suit the dates and delivery arrangements you have noted.
Coordinating several passengers smoothly
When more than one person is travelling, the first decision is who needs a seat and who might make their own way. Confirm the final passenger list, noting children who require appropriate seats and anyone with particular needs you want to mention. Record each person's luggage, from handbags and rucksacks to full suitcases, so you can judge the space required in total rather than guessing. Agree pick-up order and times, and gather a phone number for every passenger in case plans shift on the day. If the group includes passengers being met at the other end, note the recipient's contact details as well. When enquiring, you can share the passenger and bag lists and ask which vehicle groups would match what you have recorded.
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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.