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.
Finding a car to suit the trip
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.
Sharing the Plan With Fellow Travellers
Who else is coming on the trip? Once you have settled that question, it becomes much simpler to agree on dates, pick-up arrangements and the vehicle group you will ask about. Jot down each person's arrival time if they are joining partway through, plus a contact number for whoever will be at the wheel. Sharing a short written summary of the itinerary keeps everyone working from the same page and gives companions a chance to flag clashes early. You might also note how many bags each traveller expects, including anything bulky like golf clubs or a pushchair, so the group can discuss whether an estate or a people carrier is the sensible request. Any open questions about delivery or collection points can go on the same list for the team.
Thinking Through the Return Journey
How will the trip finish? It is worth sketching the return before you request a quote, because the answer often shapes the dates you give. If companions are heading home separately, record when each driver plans to bring the car back and who holds the keys at the end. Where a late-night return is likely, note the time so you can raise it as a question rather than assume it is fine. A simple line covering outbound date, return date and preferred collection or delivery point for both ends gives the team something concrete to price. You could also list who will be contactable on the day, in case arrangements need confirming at short notice by phone.
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What to confirm on the phone
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.