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
Pick the car around the journey. Smaller cars suit city driving and short stays, automatics make local driving easier, estates and SUVs add luggage space, and people carriers work better for families or small groups. The available range includes Fiat 500, VW Golf, Ford Focus Estate, Ford Focus Automatic and Hyundai i10 Automatic, subject to dates, driver details and availability. The exact make, model, transmission, seats, payload and licence position are confirmed at quote stage, so the vehicle examples should be treated as a guide to the type of hire available rather than a guaranteed reservation of a specific model.
Planning a family trip with luggage
If you are heading off with children in tow, it helps to write down the full passenger list and each child's age before requesting a quote, since this shapes which vehicle groups make sense on paper. Note how many suitcases, pushchairs, travel cots or booster seats you expect to bring, and jot down approximate dimensions or the way each item packs away. Consider where you plan to collect and drop off the car, and whether anyone joining the trip needs a different pick-up point. It is also worth deciding your travel dates early, including any flexibility on collection or return times, so the team can check what fits. Any questions about facilities at your destination should go to whoever manages that venue, so keep their contact details handy.
Working out which car size suits you
When comparing an estate, an SUV, a saloon or a people carrier for everyday errands, start by listing what you normally carry week to week: shopping, sports bags, prams, tools or the occasional flat-pack purchase. Recording the number of regular passengers matters just as much as the volume of luggage, since a car that seats five may still feel tight if everyone brings a case. Think about whether an automatic would suit the drivers in your household, and whether executive trim is relevant for the journeys you have in mind. Once you have a shortlist, share your preferred dates and postcodes with the team, ask what vehicle groups are offered, and request a price covering your whole hire period rather than a single day.
Explore other car hire areas
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.