The carpooling app
for Australia
RideMates connects verified drivers with passengers heading the same way. Split fuel on every route, skip the bus, and book a seat in under a minute.
Why RideMates
Built for Australian carpooling
Not a modified US rideshare app. Designed around the way Australians actually travel: long coastal runs, festival weekends, FIFO rotations, and everyday capital-to-capital trips.
Verified drivers
Every driver can verify their identity with a government ID and a selfie. Ratings, reviews, and a blue tick before you book.
100% to the driver
Drivers keep every dollar of the seat price they set. No commission cut, so prices stay low and drivers actually come back.
Secure payments
All bookings run through Stripe. No cash, no awkward app-to-app transfers. Refunds are automatic if a ride is cancelled.
Nationwide coverage
Every capital city, every major regional corridor. From Sydney to Margaret River, Brisbane to Cairns, Adelaide to Alice Springs.
In-app messaging
Message your driver before the ride to sort pickup, luggage, and pets. No phone numbers shared until you're comfortable.
Works offline too
Once a ride is booked, the details are saved to your phone. Lose reception halfway through a long drive and you still have the plan.
Carpool vs everything else
How RideMates compares
vs
Uber, DiDi, Ola
They're commercial rideshare for short taxi-style trips in a city. RideMates is carpooling: drivers who are already making a trip offer empty seats for a fair split.
vs
Greyhound, Firefly, Premier
Coaches follow a fixed schedule and route. A carpool is usually quicker, cheaper, and drops you somewhere closer to where you actually live.
vs
Domestic flights
Flights are fast but expensive once you add bag fees, seat selection, and airport transfers. For routes under 1000 km the carpool total is often less than half.
vs
Driving solo
A full tank from Sydney to Melbourne is around $220 plus wear. Splitting a carpool 4 ways drops that to $55 per person.
Coverage
Carpool in every Australian capital
Popular routes
Carpool the corridors Australia actually drives
Sydney → Melbourne
878 km · 9h
Melbourne → Sydney
878 km · 9h
Brisbane → Gold Coast
78 km · 1h
Sydney → Brisbane
914 km · 9h 30m
Sydney → Canberra
287 km · 3h
Melbourne → Adelaide
725 km · 7h 30m
Adelaide → Melbourne
725 km · 7h 30m
Brisbane → Byron Bay
165 km · 2h
Perth → Margaret River
275 km · 3h
Sydney → Newcastle
162 km · 2h
Sydney → Byron Bay
772 km · 8h 30m
Sydney → Wollongong
85 km · 1h 15m
FAQ
Australian carpooling, explained
Is there a carpooling app in Australia?
Yes. RideMates is Australia's carpooling app, connecting drivers with empty seats to passengers heading the same way. It covers every capital city and major regional corridor.
What's the best carpool app in Australia?
RideMates is built specifically for the Australian market. Drivers keep 100% of the seat price, every user can verify their identity, and payments are secured through Stripe. It covers routes from Sydney to Perth to Cairns.
How does carpooling work on RideMates?
Drivers post a trip they're already making, set a per-seat price, and passengers book seats. Payment is taken at booking through Stripe. You coordinate via in-app messaging, then meet up and drive.
Is carpooling cheaper than a flight or bus?
Usually, yes. Sydney to Melbourne is around $55 to $75 per seat on RideMates, versus $150+ for a flight once you add bags and transfers, or $90+ for a Greyhound coach that takes 12 hours.
How do I know a driver is safe?
Drivers can complete identity verification with a government ID and a selfie. Verified drivers show a blue tick. You can also see their rating and reviews from past passengers before you book.
What cities does the RideMates carpool app cover?
Every Australian capital (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart) plus major regional hubs (Gold Coast, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Wollongong, Byron Bay, Margaret River, Alice Springs, and more).
Is it free to join?
Yes, signing up is free for both drivers and passengers. Drivers are paid out the full seat price directly to their bank account. Passengers pay a small service fee at checkout.
Ready to hit the road?
Join thousands of Australians saving money, reducing emissions, and meeting great people on the road.