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
Choosing what to bring for a short break starts with a simple list, and it is worth writing it down before thinking about the car at all. Note the number of nights, the season and the activities planned, then estimate the bags: one suitcase per person, a shared holdall, or perhaps a cooler and a set of walking boots. If the trip involves shopping on the return leg, it can help to leave a note of that too, since an outgoing list rarely matches the incoming one. Where an item such as a pushchair or golf bag is on the list, record its rough size. Passing this summary to the team when asking for a quote gives them a concrete picture of the trip rather than a vague description.
Sharing Trip Details with Companions
When others are travelling too, a shared outline of the trip can prevent most of the usual confusion. Consider circulating the dates, the planned departure time, the collection or delivery arrangement and the rough route among everyone before the booking is made. Each companion can then confirm their bags, any preferred stops and whether they need picking up along the way. It may also be useful to nominate one person as the point of contact for the hire, so the team receives information from a single source. If contacts at the destination, such as a hotel or host, need to be told the arrival time, their details can be gathered at the same time. Any open questions about the itinerary can be raised when requesting the quote.
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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.