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.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
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.
Packing for a short break
Deciding what to bring on a short break is often the moment to think seriously about vehicle choice. Before enquiring, sketch a list of what will travel with you: two medium suitcases, a weekend bag, a cool box and perhaps a set of golf clubs or a folded pushchair. Recording rough dimensions for the longest and bulkiest pieces helps you judge whether a compact city car is realistic or whether an estate or SUV fits the plan better. It is also worth noting how many people are going and whether any bags are soft holdalls that squash or rigid cases that do not. When you contact the team, questions to consider include the boot opening of the vehicle group being suggested, whether roof bars are an option, and how the delivery or collection arrangements work around your departure time.
Planning an arrival-day itinerary
If the car is needed from a specific time, the first day's schedule deserves as much attention as the packing list. Write down when you need the vehicle, where it will be collected or delivered, and the order of the day's commitments, whether that is a check-in, a family lunch or an evening event. Note the contact details of anyone meeting you at the other end, along with their name and phone number, in case timings shift. You might also record whether the driver will be the only person collecting the car or whether a second named driver should be discussed. When asking for a quote, useful questions include the earliest collection time available, what happens if your plans move by an hour, and how the return is arranged once the trip is over, so the whole booking hangs together.
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Things to check 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.