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.
Keeping companions in the loop
Who needs to know the travel plan? Make a short list of everyone joining the trip and what each person should bring, from passports to walking boots, then circulate it well before departure. Note the hire dates clearly, including the exact collection and return times, so nobody assumes the car is available a day earlier or later than it is. Share the delivery or collection address and the vehicle type you have requested, and agree how the group will split any responsibilities, such as who holds the keys or navigates. If plans are still loose, mark the undecided parts and update the message as details firm up. A single shared note prevents the small misunderstandings that tend to surface on the morning itself.
Sketching an arrival-day itinerary
Rather than leaving the first day to chance, draft a rough schedule listing where you need to be and when, from check-in times to any pre-booked slots. Note the addresses in the order you intend to visit them and record contact numbers for each stop, in case you need to push a time back. Think about how much luggage you will have on arrival and whether it makes sense to drop bags at your accommodation before the first appointment. Where a booking depends on a specific window, write the deadline at the top of the list. If any part of the day depends on the car being delivered at a particular hour, raise that with the team when you request your quote so the timing can be confirmed.
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.