Car-Sharing For Families: Which Option Should You Go For?

For many Singaporean families, the idea of owning a car amidst constantly rising COE prices might seem financially daunting or simply impractical. However, the need for reliable transportation remains a priority, especially when ferrying children to and from their various extra-curricular activities and appointments. This is where car-sharing services come to the rescue, offering convenient and cost-effective rental plans to suit your family’s particular needs.

Whether you are transporting a large brood or navigating the challenges of travelling with tiny ones, these flexible car-sharing services provide the privacy and freedom to travel without the onus of owning and maintaining a car.

With multiple car-sharing services in the market, how do you find one that fits your needs? Here, we've shortlisted six family-friendly providers, highlighted their USP, and detailed their pros and cons.

Note: All pricing info is accurate at time of publishing. Please check with the respective car-sharing providers for the latest.

6 car-sharing services for families in Singapore

Tribecar

Why we like it: You can drive Tribecars into Malaysia, or use them to provide GrabCar services as a side hustle

Having acquired pioneer car-sharing outfit Car Club in 2022, Tribecar offers a wide variety of services and vehicles including motorcycles and vans. Membership is free and rental charges go as low as $0.55 an hour during super off-peak periods (i.e. wee hours on weekdays). Special promotions and offers are available, and regular renters can consider a subscription plan which grants you two hours of car access every weekday. You can also join Car Club by Tribecar which promises service guarantees, dedicated customer service, discount vouchers and mileage rebates.

Tribecar is the only car-sharing service in Singapore that allows commercial driving so you can even pick up a GrabCar customer or two while waiting for your child’s enrichment class to end. Downside: you need to pay for petrol separately, and vehicles need to be returned where they were picked up, but the latter may not bother you if you are just sending your kid to school and going home. 

Starting price for Super Economy car during Super Off-Peak period: $0.55 per hour

Find out more here.

GetGo

Why we like it: You're more likely to find one near you, since it's Singapore's largest car-sharing service with over 3,000 cars in over 1,600 locations 

With the greatest number of vehicles available at the largest number of locations nationwide, GetGo allows you to do just that—get going. They also offer the largest selection of vehicles, from electric to sedan, hatchback to station wagon, SUV to MPV, catering comfortably for larger families if you need. Rent a car in minutes by signing up with MyInfo, without needing to pay a deposit or membership fees. You will have to pay a mileage fee on top of the hourly rental fee, though. Pricing is slightly more expensive than Tribecar, but car lovers who enjoy driving will appreciate GetGo’s finer selection which includes luxury models like Lexus, BMW and Mercedes Benz. Downside: You have to drop off where you picked up the car.

Starting price for Economy car during Off-Peak period: $3 per hour + $0.39/km mileage fee

Find out more here.

Shariot

Why we like it: It's great for those who need bigger vehicles like vans, for personal or commercial use 

Another point A-to-A car sharing model, Shariot distinguishes itself by offering van sharing from as little as $6.90 per hour. This is useful if you wish to moonlight as a delivery person, but also when you want to move bicycles or other large objects. Shariot also offers a good range of cars, from the Toyota Wish and Honda Vezel to Mini Cooper S Clubman and Jaguar XE Diesel. Membership is free but you need to put down a $100 deposit. Bookings can be made in 15-minute blocks which means you avoid overpaying for time you did not use, but fuel charges are additional and a penalty is imposed if you return the car with less than ¼ tank. 

Starting price for Shariot Saver during Super Off-Peak period: $3.90 per hour

Find out more here.

Drive lah

Why we like it: You can rent your neighbour's car, plus flexible pick-up/drop-off points

Drive lah’s peer-to-peer sharing community allows you to rent your neighbour’s car for the entire day if you need, at a possibly better price than traditional short-term car rentals. Search your location for cars near you and book the car you like, or filter by “Home Delivery” because some hosts are willing to drop off their car directly at your house. Each car listing shows its host’s profile as well as their car features, rules and instructions: whether a car is pet-friendly, smoke-friendly or allowed for travelling to Malaysia, etc. The full-day rental option is great for an errand day or day trips with the family, but you may prefer hourly rentals for your daily commutes. Downside: You might need to bring your own EZ, Flash Pay or Cashcard for use, and observe certain fastidious rules peculiar to some hosts.

Starting price: Entirely arbitrary depending on car make, model and host

Find out more here.

Car Lite

Why we like it: If it's just a short ride you need, Car Lite rents in 15-minute blocks

A newer car sharing outfit, Car Lite offers competitive rates for as short as 15 minute-blocks. This is cost-efficient if you’re just looking to do one-way drop-offs. The car models here are less exciting however, featuring your typical Japanese/Korean compact to MPV models across four price tiers. The good news for larger families is that tier 5 MPVs like the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienta cost only $0.40 more per 15-minute block to rent than a tier 2 Hyundai Elantra or Mazda 2 (between 12AM to 5PM on weekdays). Downside: you need to top up petrol yourself and return the car with more than ¼ tank full. 

Starting price for small Tier 2 car: $1 per 15 minutes (Mondays to Fridays, 12am to 5pm)

Find out more here.

BlueSG

Why we like it: Environmentally-friendly and rentals go by the minute

Apart from not contributing to CO2 emissions, using an EV means you do not have to worry about petrol or mileage either. BlueSG also offers point-to-point rental which means you can drop off the car at your destination, or nearby — at any one of over 380 BlueSG stations which you can reserve beforehand. Pricing is reasonable and car rentals go by the minute so you will not be overcharged in any event. The downside is they only offer two car models, and their standard EV seats only four adults comfortably — which may or may not work for your family configuration.

Starting price for basic membership is $8 and car rental starts from $0.36 a minute.

Find out more here.

Tips for a smooth car-sharing experience with young children

1. Essentials pack: Have a ready-to-go car sharing bag containing essentials like wet wipes, tissues, hand sanitiser, and disposable trash bags to handle spills and messes on the go.
2. Child safety seats: Unfortunately, car-sharing services currently do not offer the option to include child seats with your rental, but you may rent a car seat from somewhere like City Baby. If you find it more sanitary and convenient to have your own in the long run, consider foldaway booster seats that are easy to store when not in use.
3. Snack strategy: Opt for snacks that are mess-free and easy to handle, such as individually-packaged bite-sized biscuits, fruit slices, or energy bars. Try and avoid sticky or crumbly snacks to minimise clean-up.
4. Entertainment: On long trips, you might wish to keep the kids entertained during the ride with books, toys, or tablets loaded with their favourite games or movies. Headphones can help minimise noise and distractions if you have more than one child doing different things.
5. Advance planning: Reserve your car ahead of time where possible, especially during peak periods or for important occasions. Check the vehicle's features and amenities to ensure that it meets your family's needs before booking!