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.
Travelling with Children and Bags
Should the trip involve youngsters, spending a few minutes on the details before you enquire can settle most decisions. Write down the dates you need the car and the ages of the children travelling, since both affect the vehicle group you might consider. Count the bags you plan to bring and note their rough sizes, separating everyday rucksacks from bulkier suitcases or pushchairs. Think about where the car will be collected or delivered and who will be there to receive it, recording a contact number for that person. If you are bringing your own child seats, mention this when you ask for a quote. Questions worth putting to the team include which vehicle groups are available for your dates and what information they need about each driver to take the booking forward.
Sharing Trip Details with Companions
When friends or family are travelling together, agreeing the arrangements as a group avoids confusion later. Fix the dates between everyone first, then note who will be driving and gather the details required for each named driver. Ask each companion for their luggage, from handbags and holdalls to sports equipment, and combine the lists into one total. Decide jointly on the collection or delivery address and the time that suits most people, writing down a phone number for whoever meets the car. If any part of the itinerary is still uncertain, flag it as provisional rather than leaving it vague. When you request a quote, you might ask whether the vehicle group you have in mind matches your passenger and bag numbers, and what else the team needs before confirming.
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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.