The Melbourne Way of Getting Around

Let’s face it — owning a car in Melbourne can be a headache. Between skyrocketing petrol prices, city parking nightmares, and rising registration fees, more locals are asking themselves: “Do I really need to own a car?”

And for visitors, navigating public transport with luggage or planning day trips outside the city can be tricky. That’s where car share services come in — giving you the freedom of a car without the long-term cost or commitment.

Across the city, from Brunswick to St Kilda and even out to the airport, Melburnians are switching gears and embracing car sharing — a simple, affordable, and sustainable way to get around our vibrant city.

What Exactly Are Car Share Services?

Car share services resemble car renting, but less hassle and more intelligent. You would no longer have to go to a car rental office and complete some forms- you can open a certain App on your phone, unlock the car standing nearby, and get into the car just a few minutes later.

You only pay what you utilize in terms of time (per hour/day) and fuel is normally provided and you can drop back to the same or predetermined point after you are through.

To put it succinctly it is access to a car but not ownership, which suits urbanites, college and university students, freelancers, and tourists who only have to use a car every now and then.

Why Car Sharing Is Booming in Melbourne

Melbourne is made for car sharing — and the timing couldn’t be better.
Here’s why it’s taking off:

Traffic & parking pressure: City congestion and limited CBD parking make car ownership a hassle.
Rising costs: Insurance, maintenance, fuel — it all adds up fast.
Sustainability: Car sharing reduces emissions and car clutter on roads.
Urban lifestyle: More Melburnians live close to work or study and only need cars occasionally.
Tourism revival: Visitors love the flexibility of picking up a car near their hotel for a quick day trip.

Even the City of Melbourne supports car sharing through designated car share parking bays, helping reduce private car use and encourage sustainable transport.

Top Car Share Services in Melbourne (2025 Update)

Let’s look at the most trusted and widely used options available today 👇

1. GoGet

Melbourne’s biggest and most established car share network.

Locations: Hundreds across the CBD, Southbank, Carlton, and suburbs.
Vehicles: From small hatchbacks to vans.
Pricing: From around $6.50/hour or $80/day + membership.
Why choose it: Reliable, well-maintained, and easy to find almost anywhere.

2. Flexicar

Owned by Hertz, designed for city professionals and businesses.

Locations: CBD, South Yarra, Docklands, Richmond, and universities.
Pricing: From $9/hour or $85/day.
Highlights: Great for short business trips, excellent customer service, and premium cars.

3. Uber Carshare (formerly Car Next Door)

Think Airbnb — but for cars. Local owners list their vehicles, and you book through the app.

Coverage: Melbourne-wide, including outer suburbs.
Why it’s great: Wide vehicle variety, supports locals, often cheaper.
Bonus: Great for longer weekend getaways.

4. Popcar

A sustainable, community-focused service growing quickly in Melbourne.

Pricing: Starts from $5.50/hour, memberships optional.
Why try it: Simple setup, good for locals who don’t drive daily.
Eco focus: Offsets carbon emissions for every trip.

5. KINTO Share

Backed by Toyota, offering reliable and newer models.

Perks: Seamless app, well-maintained hybrid cars, flexible hourly rates.
Great for: Business users and eco-conscious drivers.

6. Turo

A global peer-to-peer car-sharing platform now active in Melbourne.

Why use it: Choose anything from budget hatchbacks to luxury SUVs.
Perfect for: Tourists who want unique vehicles for trips like Great Ocean Road drives.

General Rules for Car Share Services in Melbourne

The car share services in Melbourne are workings of a combination of the state legislation and local council policies that ensure that our streets are safe, fair and efficient.

On the state level, Victoria is also implementing new Vehicle Sharing Scheme Safety Standards to ensure that all shared cars are properly maintained, safe and insured. Such laws will also make operators have to be formally sanctioned prior to listing vehicles to be used publicly. Also, the Australian Consumer Law safeguards the users by prohibiting unfair terms in the agreement and maintaining that all vehicles shared by users are not only fit but in excellent condition and safe on the roads.

At the local level, individual councils in Melbourne, such as the city of Melbourne, yarra, port Phillip and Merri-Bek, have established their own regulation on the placement of the car share bays. Parking lots have specific parking spaces that are designated by councils with clear markings like car share vehicles only. These bays do not obstruct driveways, pedestrian walks, bus stops, and new places are often introduced only when the demand of people in the community is confirmed.

Car share operators also pay to use the public space parking and should also make sure that cars will have to abide by the normal parking rules and time restrictions when not parked in the official bays.

All these rules combined ensure that the car share network in Melbourne is safe, reliable and fair so that locals and visitors can have convenient transport without causing any more traffic congestion to our already overcrowded roads.

How Car Sharing Works in Melbourne (Step-by-Step)

Sign up: Download the car share app (GoGet, Uber Carshare, etc.).
Find a car: The app shows vehicles near you with exact map locations.
Book: Choose how long you need — an hour, a day, or a weekend.
Unlock: Use your phone to unlock the car — no keys needed.
Drive: Head to your meeting, errand, or day trip.
Return: Park in the same (or approved) car share bay and end your trip.

It’s that simple — no rental counters, no hidden fuel surcharges, and no waiting.

Car Share vs. Owning a Car in Melbourne — The Cost Breakdown

Owning a car in Melbourne isn’t cheap. Let’s break it down (average annual cost):

Registration + Insurance: $1,500–$2,000
Fuel: $1,800–$2,200
Maintenance: $800–$1,200
Parking (city permits, parking fees): $1,000+
💰 Total: Over $5,000 per year, even before unexpected repairs.

Car share services, by contrast, cost only when you drive — meaning if you only need a car a few times a week, you could save thousands each year.

Car Sharing for Tourists Visiting Melbourne

Visitors love Melbourne’s car share network for its convenience and flexibility.
Here’s why:

No airport queues: Pick up a car right after you land at Tullamarine or Avalon.
Flexible trips: Visit Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, or Mornington Peninsula easily.
No fuel worries: Most car share plans include fuel and insurance.
Easy drop-offs: Return cars to designated Melbourne spots without stress.

For travellers staying in the CBD, Fitzroy, or Docklands, car share bays are often just steps away from hotels or apartments.

How Car Sharing Supports Melbourne’s Green Future

Melbourne has great sustainability ambitions – and car sharing will be on the agenda.

Every car sharing lowers the number of privately owned cars to up to 10 thereby reducing congestion and emissions.

By not owning a car, Melburnians are playing a direct role in:

Less air pollution and noisier streets.
Reduced parking pressure in the cities.
More effective utilization of land to parks, bike paths and open spaces.

When you are an environmentalist, it is even more effective to use hybrid or electric cars.

Tips for Choosing the Right Car Share Service

The following is the way to select the best service:

Coverage: Review the proximity of cars to your home or work or hotel.
Pricing:Compare the hourly and daily costs and membership fees.
Car type: Small car required to run some errands or SUV in a weekend trip.
Fuel & insurance: The majority of them cover both of them, which is why you need to look at the fine print.
Flexibility: Check out effortless extensions and unlocks via applications.
EV options: EVs or hybrids available? Check it out in case sustainability is important.

Future of Car Sharing in Melbourne

The next few years will see Melbourne’s car share scene evolve rapidly.

Expect more electric vehicles and EV charging hubs across the city.
Partnerships with local councils and property developers will integrate car share spots in new apartments.
Apps will get smarter — predicting demand and offering dynamic pricing.
Long-term, Melbourne could become one of Australia’s leading smart mobility cities.