Travelling with lots of luggage: how to get the car right

One of the most common problems we see on airport runs is luggage that doesn't fit. A family books a saloon, the driver turns up, and there are four big cases, two cabin bags, a pushchair and a car seat on the drive. Somebody ends up with a case on their knee, or the trip is delayed while we find a bigger car. It is easy to avoid if you know what to tell us.

Why the number of cases matters

Our booking form asks for the number of passengers and the number of suitcases. It uses those numbers to show only the vehicles that can carry you. If the numbers are wrong, the form may show you a car that is too small.

Be honest with yourself about what you are taking. People nearly always bring more than they expected. If you are not sure, round up.

A rough guide to what fits

Every model is slightly different, so treat this as a guide rather than a promise. As a rule of thumb, allow one large case and one small bag per passenger.

• Saloon car: fine for one or two people with a large case each and small bags. Three people with big cases can be tight.
• Estate car: a lot more boot space than a saloon, and a good choice for couples or small families with heavy luggage.
• People carrier: five passengers with holiday luggage. Space depends on how many seats are in use.
• Executive car (Mercedes E-Class or similar): comfortable for business travellers. The boot is similar to a large saloon.
• Executive people carrier (Mercedes V-Class or similar): plenty of room for passengers and bags.
• 8 seater minibus: groups of up to eight with a case each.
• 16 seater bus: larger groups. Luggage space depends on how many seats are filled.

If you are on your own or a couple with a lot of luggage, booking a bigger vehicle is often the answer, even though you don't need the seats.

Things people forget to mention

Suitcases are not the only things that take up space. Tell us about:

• pushchairs, buggies and travel cots
• your own child car seats
• golf bags
• ski and snowboard bags
• bike boxes
• musical instruments
• wheelchairs and mobility aids
• boxes, if you are moving abroad or coming home from university
• large duty-free bags on the way back

Put these in the notes when you book. If anything is unusually long or heavy, give us the rough size.

Golf trips

Golf bags are long and awkward. Travel covers make them longer. A saloon can often take one golf bag with the seats as they are, but two or more usually need an estate, a people carrier or a minibus. For a group of four golfers with clubs and cases, an 8 seater minibus is often the most comfortable option.

Ski and snowboard trips

Ski bags are even longer than golf bags. For one or two people with skis and boots, an estate or a people carrier is the minimum. For a group, choose a minibus. Boot bags and helmets add up too, so count them.

Bikes

If you are flying with a bike in a bike box or bag, the box will be large and fairly light but very bulky. Tell us the size. A minibus or a people carrier with some seats free usually works best.

Long trips and moving abroad

If you are going away for months, or moving, you may have far more than usual. In that case, call us before you book. We will talk through what you have and suggest the right vehicle. It might be worth sending some things by courier, but that is your call.

Students

At the start and end of term, students heading to or from Manchester's universities often have a car full of boxes, bags and bedding. If you are travelling from the airport to student halls with lots of kit, choose an estate or a people carrier and tell us how many boxes you have.

Weight and lifting

Our drivers will help load and unload your bags. Very heavy cases are hard work for anyone, though, and airlines have weight limits anyway. If you have a case that is extremely heavy, it helps to tell us so the driver is ready.

Coming home with more than you took

Holidays have a way of producing extra bags. Shopping, gifts and duty-free can mean the car that worked on the way out is tight on the way back. If you think you will be bringing a lot back, choose a bigger vehicle for the return or let us know before you fly home.

What if it doesn't fit on the day?

If we arrive and the luggage won't fit, we will tell you straight away and try to sort it out. That might mean sending a second car or swapping to a bigger one. There may be an extra cost if the vehicle has to change, and we will always tell you what it is before we go. On an airport run, the delay can be stressful, which is why it is worth getting the numbers right when you book.

Packing for the car as well as the plane

Soft bags fit into gaps that hard cases can't, so if you have a choice, take one or two softer bags. Put the things you need on the journey, like passports, phones, medicines and snacks, in a small bag you keep with you. And if you are bringing items that could leak, such as liquids or food, wrap them well. Our drivers look after their cars, and so do our customers, but accidents happen.

Hand luggage only?

If you are travelling light, with just cabin bags, tell us that too. A smaller car may be all you need, and the booking form will show you the options that fit. There is no point paying for space you don't use.

Book the right car

Enter your passengers and luggage honestly, add notes about anything unusual, and the booking form will show the vehicles that fit. Child seats are free. Book your transfer online, or call 0161 660 4006 if you want to check before you book.