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
Suppose you are heading off for a family trip and need to work out what to bring. Begin by listing the children travelling with you, noting their ages and whether they need child seats or boosters, then add each adult to the tally. Next, count the luggage: suitcases, rucksacks, toys and any pushchairs or travel cots, jotting down approximate dimensions for the bulkier pieces. If your journey involves a specific arrival time, such as a ferry or a hotel check-in, record that too, along with any contact details for the people expecting you. When you approach the team for a quote, include the full passenger and bag list plus your dates and where you need the car, and ask which vehicle groups they would suggest for a party of your size.
Organising a Longer Stay
A longer trip brings its own planning questions, starting with the simple matter of how much you plan to take. For an extended stay, it helps to list everything you expect to bring, from seasonal clothing to sports equipment, and to note the size of each case or bag. Think about your itinerary as well: which days you depart and return, where you will be based, and whether anyone needs to contact you at a fixed number while you are away. If friends or relatives are meeting you at either end, keep their details to hand. When requesting a hire, pass on your travel dates, the driver information required and your luggage summary, and raise any open questions about estates or people carriers versus smaller cars so the team can advise on availability.
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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.















