Choosing a hire vehicle for bikes, boards and luggage
If you are bringing bikes, boards or serious walking kit, load space is the constraint that decides your booking, not the number of seats. This is how the groups actually compare for it.
Do not assume a roof rack or bike rack is available
Racks are not part of a standard hire and must not be assumed. If carrying equipment externally is essential to your trip, ask us before you book and only rely on it once it is confirmed in your booking. Planning around a rack that turns out not to exist is a bad start to a holiday.
Groups, from the load's point of view
- **Compact and intermediate cars.** Fine for luggage for two. Not the answer for boards or for more than one bike inside.
- **Family automatic.** The largest boot of the car groups and the usual sensible upgrade when kit is the issue rather than passengers.
- **People carriers.** Seats and load compete directly. With every seat occupied, load space is the first thing to disappear. Read the group's luggage guidance before booking.
- **4x4 and pickup groups.** An open load bed rather than an enclosed boot. Excellent for dirty or awkward kit, but plan for weather and for anything valuable being visible.
- **Van groups.** Enclosed, lockable and by far the most volume. The high-top is the one to choose when the load has to stand up rather than lie down.
Bigger is not automatically better here
Island roads are narrow, and much of Harris in particular is single-track with passing places. A large vehicle you are nervous placing makes for a worse week than a smaller one you have packed carefully.
Work back from what you are actually carrying rather than booking up as insurance. If the kit genuinely needs the space, take the space, but be honest about whether it does.
Packing for an island trip
- Pack for one vehicle for the whole trip, especially if you are moving between islands.
- Keep waterproofs and warm layers reachable rather than at the bottom of the boot.
- Wet and sandy kit is much easier in a vehicle with a separate load area than in a car boot you are also living out of.
- If you are cycling as well as driving, check how the bikes will actually fit before you leave rather than in a car park at the ferry.
Ready to book the vehicle?
Search live availability across all five pickup and return locations.
Book now