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.
Packing for a Short Break
The first choice many drivers make is between a compact car for a light trip and something larger for a family break with full suitcases, so begin by deciding what the journey actually involves. List the travellers, then note each person's luggage, including hand baggage, and mark any items that are wider or taller than a standard case, such as a set of skis or a folded buggy. Sketch the route and any planned stops, and record the dates you will need the car, from the morning of departure to the day you return. If collection and return points differ, note both. With that information ready, you can ask the team about vehicle groups and delivery or collection arrangements when you request a quote.
Choosing Around Driver Preferences
Another decision worth settling early is what the main driver wants from the vehicle, since preferences vary widely between people booking the same trip. Some drivers only feel at ease with an automatic, while others have no interest in anything beyond a compact car for nipping about. Note who will be behind the wheel, whether any additional drivers are involved, and any preferences around seat height or boot size. Record the dates, where the car will be collected or delivered, and the itinerary you have planned, including any stops where passengers or luggage will change. Listing these points, along with any questions still open, gives the team a clear brief to work from when confirming a vehicle group and price.
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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.















