By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
Car sharing lets you use a car without owning one. You book in an app, unlock the car with your phone and pay for time plus distance, with fuel or charging and insurance included. The biggest round-trip service, GetGo, charges from S$3 an hour off-peak plus S$0.44 per km for petrol cars and S$0.29 per km for electric ones, with no deposit or membership fee. Tribecar also runs round trips, while Flexar, launched in 2026 after BlueSG paused, offers one-way trips priced by the minute. For whole days, weekends or a week away, a traditional rental at a daily rate usually works out better. ERP, parking and any damage excess are typically on you.
For many households, sharing a car for the few trips that need one is far cheaper than owning. Here is how to pick the right service for each trip.
Quick facts
- GetGo hourly rates: S$3 to S$22 depending on car type and time, as of October 2026.
- GetGo mileage: S$0.44/km petrol or hybrid, S$0.29/km electric, S$0.54/km luxury.
- GetGo eligibility: aged 19 to 24 with a year’s driving experience, or 25 and above with a valid licence.
- Tribecar: advertises rates from S$0.55 an hour, with tiers from economy cars to vans and lorries.
- Flexar: one-way, per-minute pricing with fuel included; officially launched in May 2026.
- Extras: a per-booking platform fee on GetGo; ERP, parking and damage excess depend on the operator’s terms.
How the services differ
| Service type | How it works | How you pay | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round-trip car sharing (GetGo, Tribecar) | Pick up and return at the same car park | Per hour plus per km | Errands, IKEA runs, visiting family |
| One-way car sharing (Flexar) | Pick up at one station, drop off at another | Per minute, fuel included | Single trips across town |
| Traditional rental | Collect from a rental company for a day or more | Daily, weekly or monthly rate | Weekends, road trips, a car while yours is in the workshop |
| Peer-to-peer platforms | Rent a private owner’s car through an app | Set by the owner and platform | Specific models or longer bookings |
What a typical trip costs
Take a three-hour trip covering 40km in a GetGo Standard petrol car, whose hourly rate ranges from S$3 to S$11 depending on the time slot:
| Off-peak (S$3/hr) | Highest slot (S$11/hr) | |
|---|---|---|
| Time: 3 hours | S$9.00 | S$33.00 |
| Mileage: 40km × S$0.44 | S$17.60 | S$17.60 |
| Before platform fee, ERP and parking | S$26.60 | S$50.60 |
The same trip in an electric car saves on mileage: 40km at S$0.29 is S$11.60. The lesson is that when you book matters as much as how far you drive. GetGo also offers 24-hour rates; for a Standard car these run from about S$80 to S$140 depending on the day, which beats the hourly price on long outings.
Before you book: the checks that save money
- Check the age and licence rules. Young or newly qualified drivers may face restrictions or higher rates.
- Read the damage terms. Find out the excess you pay after an accident and whether you can buy it down.
- Photograph the car inside and out before you drive and when you return it.
- Return on time. Late returns usually attract penalties, especially if the next user is waiting.
- Know who pays ERP and parking. These are commonly charged to the driver.
- Driving to Malaysia? Only some cars are allowed across; check before you book.
Sharing, renting or owning?
Owning a car in Singapore means a COE, loan, insurance, road tax and parking every month, whether you drive or not. Sharing turns all of that into a bill only for the hours you use. If you need a car a few times a month, sharing almost always wins. If you drive every day, owning or a long-term rental starts to make sense. Add up a typical month of trips at the rates above and compare it with the full cost of ownership before you decide.
The WahLiao Verdict
Download two apps, not one: a round-trip service for errands and a one-way service for single journeys, and compare prices before each booking. Book off-peak, choose an electric car for longer distances, and switch to a daily rate when a trip runs past half a day. Take photos every time; it takes a minute and can save you a dispute.
Questions people ask
Is petrol included in car sharing?
Yes for the main services: GetGo includes fuel or charging in its mileage rate, and Flexar includes fuel in its per-minute price.
What happened to BlueSG?
BlueSG paused operations in August 2025. Flexar, a new one-way service built with lessons from that pause, opened a public beta in April 2026 and launched officially in May 2026.
Do I need a deposit?
GetGo and Flexar say they charge no deposit or membership fee. Tribecar offers accounts without a deposit as well as optional memberships; check its current terms.
Can a new driver use car sharing?
Often yes, with conditions. GetGo requires drivers aged 19 to 24 to have a year of driving experience, and Tribecar has a separate category for drivers under 23 with less than two years’ experience.
Sources: GetGo, rates and eligibility; Tribecar, pricing and driver categories; Must Share News, Flexar launch; AsiaOne, car-sharing guide, June 2026. The Big Buy explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Learning to Drive in Singapore: Class 3 or 3A, School or Private, and the Cost · What a Car Really Costs in Singapore · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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