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.
Sorting Out Your Return Trip
One of the first decisions worth settling is how the return leg will work. If you plan to drive the car back on a different day from the outward journey, note both dates separately when you enquire, since the hire period runs from collection to return. Think about who will be in the vehicle each way: a solo commuter might manage with a compact, whereas a family coming home with luggage and shopping could prefer an estate. Recording the expected return time also helps when arranging collection or delivery. Should plans change mid-hire, keep the contact number for the team handy so you can raise any questions rather than leaving it until the last moment.
Questions Worth Asking Before a Quote
Before requesting a price, gather the details that shape the answer. Write down the exact dates, the named drivers and their ages, and whether an automatic or manual is preferred. If you need the car delivered rather than collected, note the address and any time window that suits. It is also sensible to ask what happens if the trip is delayed, whether another driver can be added partway through, and whether child seats are available. If a child seat is needed, mention it at the outset rather than on the day. Keeping this list with you when you call means the team can quote accurately first time, and you avoid a second round of emails to fill in gaps.
Explore other car hire areas
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.