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.
Packing for a Short Break
The first choice to make is what actually needs to come with you, and a short list works better than a rough guess. Decide how many bags each traveller will bring and whether anything oversized, like golf clubs, a bike rack case or a set of skis, is part of the plan. Note the approximate size of each case, since a couple of large suitcases and several cabin bags add up quickly. Think through the itinerary too: if you are heading straight from arrival to a dinner or meeting, you may want one bag packed separately. Record the hire dates, including pickup and return times, and where you would like the car delivered or collected. Any questions about space can go to the team when you request a quote.
Travelling with Children and Bags
If young children are travelling, their needs deserve their own checklist rather than an afterthought. Count the seats required and note each child's age, since this affects the type of restraint you would discuss with the team. Decide whether you are using your own seats or asking about hire options, and record the models if you already own them. Then list the luggage: suitcases, a pushchair, a travel cot, cool bags and the inevitable extra layer of snacks and toys. Measuring the folded pushchair is worthwhile, as its dimensions are often requested. Add the driver details and travel dates to the same note, plus a contact at your destination if someone is meeting you. Questions about fitting everything in can be raised during the quote conversation.
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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.