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 an arrival-day itinerary
What should your first day actually look like? Sketching an itinerary before booking helps you judge what you need. Write down your arrival time, where you are heading first, and how many stops follow, whether that is a hotel check-in, a shop visit or a family lunch. Note the driver's details and where the car should be delivered or collected, including any preferred time window. If the day involves meeting someone, record their contact number so you can update them if plans shift. Count passengers and bags for this first day specifically, since arrival luggage often differs from the return load. Sharing these notes with the team, alongside your dates, lets them confirm the vehicle group and price with fewer back-and-forth questions.
Packing for a short break
A weekend away rarely needs everything you own, so a written packing list keeps the load sensible. Note how many cases, holdalls and odd items such as golf clubs or a pram you will bring, with rough dimensions for anything bulky. Count the travellers and decide whether everyone needs a seat plus a bag, or whether some items can share. If you are choosing between an estate and an SUV, or wondering whether an automatic suits the journey, mention your list when you enquire rather than deciding on the spot. Also record your outbound and return dates and times, plus your delivery address, so the team can match the hire period to your trip. Any gaps, such as whether a roof box is available, are worth asking about before you book.
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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.















