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.
Arranging a Car for a Longer Stay
If you are spending an extended period away from home, a few decisions about the hire window are worth settling before you enquire. Work out the full span of dates, including the day you arrive and the day you plan to hand the car back, and note whether that end date is fixed or could shift. Think about who will drive during the stay and gather their details, since adding a driver partway through usually means more paperwork later. Consider where the car will sit overnight and whether that affects your choice of size. If you expect to carry extra passengers or luggage at certain points, list those occasions. Ask the team how extensions are handled should your plans change, and keep a note of the answers alongside your booking reference so everything is in one place.
Planning the Return Leg in Advance
Imagine you have booked a car for the outward part of a trip but have not yet thought about getting back. Booking both directions at the outset often avoids a scramble later, so start by writing down your intended return date and the time of day you would like to be mobile again. Note whether the collection or drop-off point for the return matches the one used at the start, or whether you will be starting from somewhere different. Record how many people and bags will travel home with you, as souvenir shopping and gifts can change the picture. If your return depends on a flight or ferry, keep the confirmed departure details to hand when you call. Finally, ask the team to confirm the return arrangements in writing so you can check them against your itinerary before you travel.
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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.