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.
Deciding What Goes in the Boot
Before you request a car, start with one practical decision: how much luggage your short break actually involves. Write down each case, holdall and rucksack, then note rough dimensions for the bulkiest pieces. If you are deciding between an estate and a people carrier, that list becomes the reference point for the conversation with the team. Think about whether anyone needs a separate bag they can reach during the drive, and whether items such as a pushchair or golf clubs fold down. Record the number of passengers too, since seats and boot space trade off against one another. When you ask for a quote, you can send the full list along with your dates, and any open questions about storage can be raised then.
Notes for Trips with Children
Travelling with children adds a second layer of planning worth capturing on paper. Count the seats you will need, note each child's age, and decide who sits where if that matters to your group. List the bags that belong to each child, including any small day bags with snacks, toys or tablets, and record whether you are bringing your own child seats or need to ask about them when you enquire. Dimensions help here as well: a folded pushchair takes a measurable amount of space that belongs on your list. If your journey has planned stops, jot down the timings so the itinerary is settled before departure. Pass all of this to the team with your driver details, and keep a note of any questions still unanswered about the vehicle group.
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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.















