Planning a weekend break should feel exciting from start to finish. Long before you reach your destination, the journey sets the tone for your escape. Choosing the right hire vehicle gives you the freedom, comfort, and space to travel on your own terms – no cramped seats or crowded luggage required.

At Caversham Vehicle Hire, we’ve helped countless customers get on the road for short breaks, family trips and group adventures. This simple guide walks you through how to choose the right vehicle so your next getaway runs smoothly from door to door.

Start with a Simple Trip Plan

Before picking a vehicle, take a moment to outline the basics of your trip. This quick step helps you choose a vehicle that truly fits your needs instead of defaulting to the most basic option.

Key things to consider include:

• How many people are travelling?
• What kind of driving will you be doing? (motorway, country roads, or city streets)
• What luggage or equipment are you bringing? (suitcases, prams, sports gear, pets)
• What activities are planned? (camping, hiking, shopping, sightseeing)
• Are there any parking limitations at the destination?

Once you’re clear on the details of your journey, choosing a vehicle that truly fits your needs becomes much easier.

Choose the Right Vehicle for Your Trip Type

With your travel details in mind, you can easily narrow down the ideal vehicle type for your getaway.

Short City Breaks or Couple Getaway

Vehicle: Small or medium compact hatchbacks

Benefits:
• Ideal for solo travellers, couples, or small families
• Easy handling for city driving and shorter motorway journeys
• Best suited for light to medium luggage (small suitcases or weekend bags)
• Great for city sightseeing, shopping trips, and short weekend breaks
• Simple to park in busy towns, tight streets, and small car parks

Family Trips & Staycations

Vehicle: Estates, large saloons, SUVs

Benefits:
• Comfortable for families or groups needing extra passenger space
• Smooth and stable for longer motorway drives and mixed road types
• Ideal for medium to large luggage loads, prams, or sports equipment
• Great for staycations, countryside breaks, hiking weekends, or coastal trips
• Easier to manage than minibuses while still fitting standard parking spaces

Group Adventures or Activity Weekends

Vehicle: 14-17 seater minibuses

Benefits:
• Ideal for large groups such as sports teams, corporate outings, or big family trips
• Comfortable and practical for longer motorway journeys and mixed road conditions
• Plenty of space for group luggage, sports kits, and larger equipment loads
• Perfect for group adventures, team travel, festivals, or organised trips
• Best suited to destinations with coach or large-vehicle parking facilities

Moving Gear or Large Items

Vehicle: Vans (small or long wheelbase)

Benefits:
• Ideal for transporting equipment, bikes, camping gear, or bulky items rather than passengers
• Well-suited to motorway driving and longer-distance travel with steady handling
• Exceptional load space for large suitcases, sports equipment, furniture, or supplies
• Perfect for camping trips, activity weekends, events, or moving large items
• Best matched to destinations with larger parking bays or off-street parking options

Not sure which option is right for your trip? Just tell us your destination and group size, and our team will recommend the best vehicle in minutes.

Pack for a Stress-Free Journey

Once you’ve chosen the right vehicle, packing efficiently will help your trip go even more smoothly. A little planning can prevent last-minute stress and make the journey more comfortable.

• Use soft bags where possible to help maximise space
• Load heavier items first to keep the weight balanced
• Don’t block rear visibility
• Keep essentials easily accessible, including snacks, chargers and coats

If you have more luggage than expected, opting for a slightly larger vehicle can make packing easier and the entire journey more comfortable.

Comfort Makes Longer Drives Easier

Comfort matters even more on longer journeys. Choosing the right vehicle ensures everyone arrives feeling refreshed instead of worn out.

• Spacious seating reduces fatigue for both drivers and passengers
• Climate control ensures comfort for everyone on board
• Larger vehicles work better for children or pets needing extra room
• Proper legroom and seating improve focus, safety and enjoyment

When your journey is comfortable, your getaway begins the moment you set off.

Plan for Fuel & Cost Efficiency

Picking the right-sized vehicle not only makes the drive more comfortable – it can also save you money on fuel and hire costs.

Consider the following:

• One well-chosen vehicle is more cost-effective for group travel
• Smaller cars are more economical for city breaks and short journeys
• Avoid paying to run or upgrade to a larger vehicle than necessary
• Selecting the right size prevents wasted space and unnecessary expense

Matching the vehicle to the trip means you only pay for what you really need.

Booking Tips for a Smooth Hire Experience

A little forward planning goes a long way when it comes to booking a vehicle hire. These simple tips help ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

• Book early for weekends and school holidays to secure availability and better rates
• Choose your vehicle based on genuine needs rather than overestimating
• Confirm mileage allowances before booking
• Double-check pick-up and return times
• Ask about extras such as child seats or sat nav options

By keeping these easy booking tips in mind, you can skip the last-minute stress and begin your trip feeling prepared.

Why Local Vehicle Hire Makes Travel Easier

At Caversham Vehicle Hire, we focus on making the hire experience as straightforward and convenient as possible so you can start your break without unnecessary hassle.

When you hire locally, you benefit from:

• Easy collection close to home
• Friendly, experienced staff ready to advise on vehicle choice
• No need to travel to distant rental hubs
• Flexible hire periods for short breaks or extended weekends

Start Your Journey the Easy Way

The best weekend trips start with hassle-free travel. No rushing, no overcrowded cars and no last-minute vehicle worries.

Maybe it’s a spontaneous city escape, a family-packed staycation, or the start of a group adventure. Whatever your plans look like, our team is here to help you pick the perfect vehicle.

Ready to plan your getaway? Get in touch today to check availability or chat with our team about the best vehicle for your trip.