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.
Travelling With Children and Bags
If children are part of your journey, a little preparation can guide your vehicle choice. Start by listing how many youngsters are travelling, their ages and whether each one needs a child seat, booster or pushchair. Note how many suitcases, holdalls and smaller bags the family expects to bring, and if possible measure the folded size of the bulkiest item, such as a travel cot or a double buggy. You might also record who will be driving each leg of the trip and whether any stops are planned for refreshments or breaks. Keeping this list together means you can describe your needs clearly when asking for a quote. If you are unsure whether your luggage and equipment will suit a particular vehicle group, raise it as a question with the team rather than assuming, since the final decision rests with you.
Working Out the Right Car Size
Which size of car fits your plans? Comparing the everyday categories can help you decide. A compact city car or automatic might suit a solo trip with a single bag, while an estate could be considered for a weekly shop, boxes or a folded pushchair. An SUV might appear on your shortlist if you regularly carry several passengers plus their belongings, and a people carrier could be worth discussing for a larger family outing. An executive saloon could be the choice for a client meeting or a special occasion. Before contacting the team, write down your passenger count, the number of bags and the dimensions of anything unusually shaped, such as a set of skis or a guitar case. If two categories both seem plausible, ask which one other customers with similar lists tend to request, then weigh that against your own dates and preferences.
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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.