When you are looking to hire a car, there are many decisions that have to be made. The biggest and most fundamental of all of these is which car type should you book.
Although many decisions are driven by price, there are times when it can be beneficial to spend a little bit more for the right vehicle? Here are Economy Car Hire’s inside tips on what to look out for when choosing your car.
It is important to note that when booking a car we cannot guarantee the exact make and model of the vehicle. A vehicle of similar specifications may be provided. For this reason all the advice below is based on questions that need consideration before you place your booking.
Where?
A major factor in deciding which car you are going to select is where you are actually going.
You will need to consider the terrain you will be driving on and how your car will perform there. For example, many customers find that hiring a small car in Madeira and some parts of Italy means that they struggle with the steeper roads. Although we can’t guarantee the size of engine in your rental car we do suggest that a larger vehicle would be more suited to these types of areas.
Who?
It is also important to consider who you are travelling with?
Sometimes a small 5 seat vehicle is too small to fit in everyone and their luggage. Be aware that some vehicle classes have the same amount of seats but offer drastically different amounts of space for each passenger. We also provide information on how much luggage you can fit into the car helping you make the choice.
If you are travelling with elderly passengers then it can sometimes be beneficial to hire a larger vehicle. A bigger car is often easier to get in and out of if it isn’t so low to the ground. Also, if you are travelling with children, be aware of the number of booster seats that can fit in a car. This may not correlate to the total amount of seats.
What?
What type of driving are you going to be doing when you’re away?
If you are planning to be doing a lot of driving on motorways or similar it could be advisable to book at diesel car. The economic benefit of better fuel efficiency can add up over longer journeys meaning this is an easy way to save money.
Alternatively, if you are doing a lot of city driving it may be beneficial to hire a smaller car for easier parking. For a specific example, some of our customers say that they prefer a smaller car in Italian cities where the roads can be quite narrow. If you consider exactly what it is you are going to be doing in the car you can make the best choice and avoid unnecessary stress.
When?
When are you going?
It is important to think about the time of year you are going and what the weather is going to be like. If it is going to be hot you can select that all important air conditioning. Alternatively, if it’s cold you may need extra luggage space for all warm clothing you are taking. Being aware of the conditions you are going to be in can be a big help when choosing your vehicle class.
Why?
Why would you buy additional extras?
Sometimes it can seem like an unnecessary expense but a GPS, booster seat or ski-rack can be essential in some situations. Make sure you are aware of the specific extras that are available and use this to inform your choice of vehicle.
If you are trying to save money then a good way to do this is by reducing the amount of luggage you take on holiday. You can avoid paying to check-in a bag with the airline and potentially hire a smaller car with less boot space. Make sure you read our guide on how to pack just hand luggage for a one week trip for some useful tips.
If you have any specific queries relating to a vehicle you can call us on 0845 450 0877 or contact us via email here.
Written by Nicholas Ferns from Economy Car Hire.
Your views would be appreciated.
Richard
I hope this has been of help.