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 length of your trip determines how much you pack, and how much you pack may determine the car you ask about. For a weekend away, start by listing what each traveller will bring, including soft bags, a cool box, a pushchair or a set of golf clubs. Note the longest item, since skis or a roofbox change the conversation entirely. Count the passengers and confirm how many will need child seats, recording their approximate sizes. Sketching a rough itinerary, with your departure day, the route you have in mind and the return date, helps the team see the hire window clearly. When you enquire, ask whether the vehicle group you prefer has room for the luggage you have listed, and whether any items on your list would be better left behind or reorganised.
Organising a Longer Stay
For a week or more, the packing list grows and the planning questions change. Begin by confirming your exact dates, including the day you return the car, and note whether that date is fixed or could shift if your plans move. List the household items you cannot do without, such as a pram, a portable cot or extra suitcases, and measure anything awkward like a bicycle or a folded mobility scooter. Record where the car will be based during the stay, whether that is a hotel car park or a relative's driveway, since you may want to mention this when booking. Ask the team whether a longer hire period affects the vehicle groups on offer, and keep a note of your reference number and the contact details for any queries during the trip.
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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.















