The car photo is not the category: what to book for a Gallura holiday

Read the caption beneath the photo

A photo makes an offer easy to scan, but it may show an example vehicle. Look for wording such as “or similar” and read the vehicle-class description: those details explain what you are actually booking. Do not rely only on the make, colour, body shape or luggage capacity shown in the image, because another car in the same group may be supplied.

Open the provider’s details and distinguish features stated as part of the class from promotional images. If the page does not say which requirements are guaranteed, ask for written confirmation before paying. A useful answer should refer to the booked class and date, and explain what happens if the pictured vehicle is unavailable. Geasar’s airport page helps identify rental providers at Olbia and points travellers to their own offers for availability and terms.

Start with the people and bags you will actually carry

Count everyone travelling in the car and the luggage you will bring, including children’s items and anything you cannot leave visible. A theoretical seat count is not a reason to travel with bags on laps: passengers and luggage need to fit appropriately. Include child seats or other bulky equipment that may reduce the space available.

Published luggage counts do not always mean the same thing; they may assume standard-sized cases rather than your bags. If boot space is essential, compare the provider’s class description and dimensions where available, and explain how many large or soft bags you need to carry. A realistic list is more useful than trusting a photograph of a car with an empty boot.

Turn preferences into explicit requirements

Before searching, note what makes the trip workable: minimum seats, doors that make access easier, automatic transmission if needed, luggage space and child-seat arrangements. Then check which points the provider confirms in writing for the selected class. If a feature is not guaranteed on the offer or booking confirmation, treat it as unconfirmed even when the image shows exactly the car you hoped for.

Also check the applicable driving-licence, driver-age, payment-card and deposit rules. These may differ between providers and rates. The European Union’s car-hire guidance advises travellers to read the terms and clarify the offer; it does not replace an individual company’s contract. Keep the confirmation and class description available so you can refer to them at the desk.

At pickup, compare the confirmation with the vehicle

At the desk, check that the assigned class matches your booking and, if possible, test whether your bags fit before leaving the collection area. If an essential feature changes, such as transmission or seat count, do not assume that a different model works equally well for your group. Ask what alternatives are available and which terms apply, then get the agreed solution in writing.

Record the vehicle’s condition and any existing damage using the rental company’s process. If a replacement does not meet a feature that was confirmed, contact the provider before driving away and keep the documents. Reading the booking carefully cannot prevent every change, but it helps you tell the difference between a preference suggested by a photograph and a requirement explicitly included in your offer.