Owning a car in Singapore is often seen as the ultimate convenience, especially for families. But let’s be honest: the price tag is terrifying. Between the Certificate of Entitlement (COE), road tax, insurance, and parking, you could easily burn through a small fortune just to keep a vehicle on the road.
When we first looked at the numbers, we realized something liberating. We didn’t need to own a depreciating asset to enjoy the city. In fact, no car, no problem: how we get around Singapore as a family without our own car has become our mantra for a stress-free, financially smarter lifestyle.
It isn’t just about saving money, though that is a massive perk. It is about flexibility. We mix and match our transport based on the weather, our mood, and where we are heading.
Whether it’s the efficiency of the MRT, the convenience of car-sharing, or the “taxi loophole” every parent needs to know, here is exactly how we make it work.
The sticker shock of car ownership in Singapore is real. A modest family sedan can cost upwards of $150,000 SGD, and that is before you even start the engine.
Once you factor in monthly parking (often
100−100−200), petrol, ERP gantries during peak hours, and regular maintenance, the monthly “run rate” of a car is easily $2,000 to $3,000.
Compare that to our transport budget. Even if we took a taxi every single day, we would struggle to hit that amount. By choosing not to own, we free up cash for holidays, savings, and better experiences for the kids.
Plus, there is the mental load. I never worry about finding a parking lot in Orchard Road on a Saturday. I never stress about a scratched bumper. We just hop out at the destination and walk away.
If you have young children, you know the struggle of car seats. Ride-hailing apps are strict, and rightly so. But there is a distinct advantage to using standard taxis in Singapore that many new parents overlook.
Here is the golden rule: Standard taxis are exempt from the child seat requirement.
By law, you can hop into a standard ComfortDelGro or TransCab taxi with a baby or toddler on your lap without breaking the law. This makes street-hailing a taxi the ultimate convenience for spontaneous trips.
In contrast, Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) like Grab or Gojek are legally required to have proper child restraints for passengers under 1.35m. If you book a standard GrabCar and show up with a 4-year-old and no booster seat, the driver is required to reject you.
We almost always choose a standard taxi when we are doing short hops or if we get caught in the rain without our portable car seats. It eliminates the “will the driver take us?” anxiety.
Sometimes, you just need to be the driver. Maybe it’s a heavy grocery run or a trip to a far-flung park. This is where Singapore’s robust car-sharing network shines. We pay for access, not ownership.
GetGo is our go-to for round trips. The cars are parked in HDB carparks all over the island. You unlock them with your phone, drive, and return them to the exact same lot.
BlueSG is unique because it allows one-way trips. You pick up a car near your home and drop it off at a charging station near your destination. It’s perfect for getting from A to B without paying for return parking.
If we need a car for a full day—say, a trip to the Zoo or Sentosa—we look at Tribecar. Their “Economy” fleet is older, but the daily rates are incredibly low. It’s the closest feeling to owning a car for a day.
| Feature | GetGo | BlueSG | Tribecar |
| Trip Type | Round-trip (A-to-A) | One-way (A-to-B) | Round-trip (A-to-A) |
| Subscription | None | Yes ($8/mth+) | None (Deposit required) |
| Best Use | Quick errands | Commuting | Full-day outings |
| Petrol | Included | Electric (Free) | Depends on vehicle |
While taxis and car-sharing are great, the backbone of our travel is public transport. The MRT network is world-class, clean, and stroller-friendly.
We use the MRT for “tourist loops” or trips to the city center where traffic is heavy. Stations like Marina Bay, Orchard, and Bugis are incredibly accessible.
Don’t ignore the buses, either. Double-decker buses are a cheap thrill for kids. Sitting in the front row of the upper deck is better than any iPad game. Plus, buses often get you closer to your doorstep than the train.
For families living here or visiting for more than a few days, the standard EZ-Link card is usually superior to the Singapore Tourist Pass.
The Tourist Pass offers unlimited travel, but you need to take a lot of trips to break even. With an EZ-Link, you pay per distance, which is often cheaper for families who move at a slower pace.
We love this lifestyle, but it isn’t for everyone. Before you sell your car or decide not to buy one, you need to do your own research on your specific travel habits.
Track your rides for one month. Write down every Grab, every taxi, and every train ticket.
If your total comes to $800, compare that against the $2,500 monthly cost of a car. That is a $1,700 monthly saving. Is the convenience of a private car worth $1,700 a month to you?
For us, the break-even point was clear. We would need to take 4 to 5 long taxi rides every single day to match the cost of owning a car. Since we only take 1 or 2, the math was simple.
Action Step: Open your ride-hailing app history. Sum up the last 30 days. The number might surprise you.
To make this work seamlessly, you need the right gear. You can’t just hop in a Grab without being prepared.
No, not if your child is under 1.35m. Drivers are legally required to refuse you. Use a standard taxi instead, or bring your own portable booster seat.
Yes, demand spikes during rain. This is when having multiple apps (Comfort, Grab, Gojek) helps. If all else fails, the MRT is your weatherproof best friend.
Yes! Buses have a designated wheelchair/stroller area. However, you must fold the stroller if the bus is crowded or if the designated space is already occupied.
Living in Singapore without a car has given us more than just extra savings. It has given us the freedom to explore our city without the burden of maintenance and parking.
From the ease of the “taxi loophole” to the fun of double-decker buses, we have found that no car, no problem: how we get around Singapore as a family without our own car isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a better way to live.
We encourage you to run the numbers, test the car-sharing apps, and see if the car-lite life works for you. You might find that the best vehicle for your family is the one you don’t have to own.
