What is the Best Car Rental Company?

Need wheels in Singapore? While the city-state boasts world-class public transit, there are times when only a car will do — whether you're a local dodging the afternoon heat, a tourist venturing off the beaten path or a savvy traveller seeking freedom on a budget.

Let’s delve into the availability, pricing, loyalty programmes, and customer feedback of different car rental companies in Singapore to help you find the perfect match for your travel needs. 

» Learn more: Best car rental company services comparison

In this guide, we’ll review and make a comparison of the five major car rental companies, including:

• Avis

• GetGo

• Hertz

• BlueSG

• Tribecar

GetGo

When it comes to renting a car in Singapore, options abound. Some of the top car rental companies in the market include Avis, GetGo, Hertz, BlueSG, and TribeCar renowned not only for their wide range of vehicles but also for their availability. Whether you're looking for a compact car for city driving or a luxury vehicle for an event, these companies offer a variety of choices to suit different preferences.

Traditional giants Avis and Hertz maintain strategic locations, notably at Changi Airport and key downtown areas, making it a popular choice among tourist and business travellers. Avis boasts airport and downtown presence, while Hertz mirrors this with airport, Alexandra Road, and Ubi Downtown locations.

On the other hand, BlueSG revolutionises rentals with its electric car-sharing model. Numerous self-service stations island-wide offer 24/7 accessibility via a user-friendly app, ideal for short-term car rental needs. TribeCar complements this with daily and hourly car rentals, featuring a varied fleet from economy to luxury vehicles and vans, conveniently spread across Singapore.

GetGo leads in accessibility, boasting the most extensive car-sharing network in Singapore. Its GetGo entry and start system, managed through a dedicated app, enhances convenience and sets a new standard for user-friendly rentals. 

This trend towards app-based, flexible car-sharing reflects evolving consumer preferences, providing efficient solutions for diverse transportation needs across the city.

Total number of car rental locations in Singapore

All these major car rental groups offer varying degrees of availability throughout Singapore. Let's take a quick look at how they stack up in terms of their location counts:

Car rental group	Car rental locations in Singapore
Hertz Singapore	Three locations
Avis Singapore	Three locations
BlueSG	Approximately 500 locations
TribeCar	Over 600 locations
GetGo	Over 1,600 locations

Traditional players Hertz and Avis' limited number of just three car rental locations, focuses on high-volume, strategic spots rather than widespread coverage.

On the other hand, BlueSG's approximately 500 locations, TribeCar's over 600, and GetGo's more than 1,600 locations prioritises convenience and accessibility across the island, catering to the growing demand for on-demand, localised transportation options.

Size of rental car fleet

While location count is important, fleet size paints a clearer picture of availability. 

The Avis car rental company in Singapore offers a curated selection of around nine different vehicle types, from compact cars to family sedans. Meanwhile, Hertz presents approximately seventeen vehicle options, spanning from practical SUVs and minivans to premium models.

However, the car-sharing platforms truly dominate in fleet size. BlueSG offers a respectable fleet of around 1,000 electric vehicles. TribeCar significantly expands the options with over 1,300 vehicles. But GetGo emerges as the clear winner here, boasting a massive fleet exceeding 3,000 cars—tripling the size of BlueSG’s offerings and more than doubling TribeCar’s.

GetGo's extensive selection, combined with its widespread network of locations, makes it the best car rental company in Singapore in terms of availability.

Leading option: Tribecar

SingSaver analysed the Singaporean rental car market to provide insights on pricing.

Comparing car rental prices across brands

Analysing hourly rental rates for standard sedans (5-seater) across various providers revealed significant price differences. Avis emerged as the premium option at S$60 per hour, while GetGo offered the most budget-friendly rates, ranging from S$6 per hour during normal hours to S$10 per hour during peak periods. 

BlueSG's Bluecar fell somewhere in between, with hourly rates varying from S$20 on weekdays to S$21 on weekends. TribeCar presented the most diverse pricing structure, with rates fluctuating from S$2.18 to S$9.81 per hour, depending on the specific vehicle and rental period.

Leading option: Avis Preferred

Avis Preferred comes out as a top choice due to its rewarding and user-friendly loyalty programme.

• It's easy to accumulate points with a straightforward earning system.

• Members can redeem rewards with fewer points.

• Double points on accessories further accelerate earning.

• Members gain access to exclusive partner offers, adding extra value to the travel experience.

While Hertz Gold Plus Rewards offers a similar points system, its lack of upgrades makes it less appealing. Moreover, while TribeCar’s introductory offer of free driving time for new members is enticing, its utility is primarily limited to weekdays, which may not suit all users' needs. 

Avis Preferred

Avis Preferred members can earn one point for every one dollar spent on rentals and two points per dollar when you spend on accessories—ensuring a minimum of 100 points for each rental transaction. 

Moreover, free rental days become accessible starting at just 700 points, effectively granting a free rental day after approximately every seven rentals.

Plus, you'll have access to exclusive partner offers, giving you even more ways to save and enhance your travel experience. However, remember to stay active. Your points will expire if you don't have any qualifying rental activity for 12 consecutive months.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

Gold is the entry-level tier within the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards programme. In this tier, members earn one point per dollar spent. Additionally, if Hertz is part of your airline's frequent flyer programme, you can rack up even more rewards with eligible rentals.

Similar to Avis Preferred, your points will expire if you don't have any rental activity for 12 consecutive months.

BlueSG

BlueSG simplifies urban mobility with its basic membership, starting at a low monthly fee of S$8, which automatically renews unless terminated by the user or BlueSG. 

When you're ready to hit the road, the basic membership gives you two choices: the Bluecar, with an affordable car rental fee of S$5.40, or the Corsa-e, which comes in at S$7.80 for the initial 15 minutes. After that, each additional minute costs just S$0.36 for the Bluecar and S$0.52 for the Corsa-e. 

New users benefit from a special offer, enjoying the first month's membership fee waived.

Tribecar

Tribecar offers a subscription plan that features a special introductory rate of just S$99 (usual price S$139) for the first 4 weeks. With this plan, members can enjoy up to two hours of free driving daily, from Monday 12am to Friday 5pm, using any vehicle from Tribecar's extensive fleet of over 1,300 vehicles.

New drivers especially benefit from this plan as it includes the New Drivers' Surcharge, making it a great starting point for those new to the road. 

Overall, TribeCar's subscription plan offers a compelling alternative to traditional car ownership or rental models, especially for those who need a vehicle for weekday use and value flexibility and cost savings.

Maximise your journey with credit card rental perks

>> See more: 4 tips to save money on rental cars during your holiday

There are many travel credit cards that can help you save on car rentals. Some offer bonus rewards for general travel expenses or specifically for rental cars. Notable cards with car rental benefits include:

Based on the feedback analysed, Hertz emerges as a clear leader in customer satisfaction within the Singapore car rental landscape. Their commitment to top-notch service, transparent pricing, and well-maintained vehicles has earned them consistently positive reviews and fostered a loyal customer base. Renters frequently highlight the ease of booking and pick-up process, as well as the responsiveness and helpfulness of Hertz's customer support team. 

For those seeking a reliable and customer-centric car rental experience in Singapore, Hertz stands out as a top choice, consistently exceeding expectations and ensuring a smooth and enjoyable rental journey.

While traditional car rental companies offer a familiar and convenient option, there's a growing array of alternatives with unique features that might better suit your needs.

Peer-to-peer car sharing platforms like Drive lah offer a flexible and often cheaper option. Car owners can rent out their vehicles when not in use, providing renters with a wider variety of choices and potentially lower costs.

Subscription services such as Carzuno provide an alternative to ownership. These subscriptions typically include insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance for a fixed monthly fee, offering convenience and predictability.

Long-term leasing is another option for those needing a car for extended periods. Companies like MyCarriage offer comprehensive leasing packages that cover insurance, road tax, maintenance, and more, making it an attractive alternative to traditional ownership.

Short-term rentals remain a popular choice for those needing a car for a few days or weeks. Companies like SIXT, GrabRentals, and KINTO One offer a range of vehicles and packages to suit various needs and budgets.

Long-term rentals cater to those needing a car for extended periods, such as expatriates or long-term visitors. Hertz Singapore and Goldbell Car Rental are popular choices, offering flexible leasing options and comprehensive support.