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.
Details Worth Writing Down First
Before requesting a quote, it helps to note a few basics on paper. Start with the exact dates you need the car, including the time you would collect it and when it would be returned. Then list who will be driving, along with any preferences that matter to your group, such as an automatic gearbox, extra boot space for pushchairs or golf bags, or rear seating for children. If the car needs to be delivered rather than collected, write down the address and a contact number for whoever will receive it. Finally, jot down any open questions you have, whether about vehicle groups, collection arrangements or timing. A short written summary means nothing gets forgotten when you get in touch.
Planning Around Driver Preferences
Every group travels differently, so it is worth thinking through who drives and what they expect from the car. If two people plan to share the driving, note both sets of details so the team can confirm arrangements for each. Some drivers prefer an automatic, others want a higher seating position, and some regularly carry bulky items that need an estate or a people carrier. Consider the passengers too: a family with car seats has different needs from a group of colleagues travelling to a meeting. If anyone in the party has particular requirements, mention them when you ask for a price. The more the team knows about who is travelling and how they like to drive, the more precisely they can suggest a vehicle group and quote for the dates you have chosen.
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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.