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.
Planning a car for a longer stay
If you expect to be staying in the area for several weeks, the hire period itself becomes worth thinking through carefully. Start by fixing the start and end dates, including any flexibility you have, and note whether an automatic or manual gearbox suits the drivers who will use the car. Write down the address where the vehicle should be delivered or collected, along with a contact number for whoever receives it. If your stay involves several drivers, list each person's details in advance so the team can confirm the appropriate group. Questions worth raising include whether the dates you want fall within the available window and what happens if your plans shift slightly. Noting the journeys you expect to make across the stay can also help the conversation.
Listing luggage for a short break
A weekend away is simpler to organise once you have a clear picture of what everyone is bringing. Count the passengers travelling, then list the bags each person expects: a suitcase apiece, a holdall, a folded pushchair or a set of golf clubs, for instance. Rough dimensions or a note of bulky items give the team something concrete to work with when confirming a vehicle group. If you are choosing between an estate and a people carrier, this list makes the reasoning easier to explain. You might also note where the break begins and ends, since collection or delivery arrangements could differ on each leg. Finally, ask any open questions about the vehicle groups before your dates settle.
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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.















