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.
Choosing Around Driver Preferences
Begin by noting who will actually be behind the wheel and what they prefer. Some drivers only feel at home in an automatic, others want a specific seating position or a familiar type of controls, and a named driver may have views on whether an estate, an SUV or a compact suits them best. Record each driver's details, including any additional drivers, and note the dates each person expects to drive. If the car needs to serve several purposes during the hire, such as commuting on weekdays and a family trip at the weekend, write those uses down too. You can then put these preferences to the team, ask which vehicle groups fit your dates, and check what delivery or collection arrangements would work around your plans.
Travelling with Children and Bags
When younger passengers are part of the trip, a separate list of their belongings tends to be useful. Note how many child seats or boosters are needed, whether you are bringing your own or need to raise this when booking, and how many bags, toys and pushchairs will accompany them. Measuring a folded buggy and recording its dimensions gives you something concrete to refer to, as does counting one bag per child plus any shared suitcase. If the journey involves a long stretch, you might also list snacks, blankets or entertainment for the back seats. Sharing these details with the team, along with your dates and driver information, lets you ask informed questions about vehicle groups and the options available before committing.
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.















