I Lived in a Prius. Here’s How to Make It Cozy and Functional

Back in 2015, my partner Tom and I lived full-time in a converted Toyota Prius. It was one of the best decisions we made to cut down on rent and build a savings cushion. But beyond the financial freedom, what truly made the Prius shine was how stealthy it was—no one ever suspected someone was sleeping inside.

We camped on city streets, tucked into marina parking lots, even parked next to our storage unit—and we blended right in.

The Prius might look like an ordinary hybrid, but it’s become a favorite among budget-conscious van lifers for good reason. It offers surprising interior space, incredible gas mileage, and unmatched stealth. And if you keep the build flexible and removable, you can use it for everyday errands or commuting during the week.

If you’re curious about turning your Prius into a functional little camper, here are some clever and creative ideas to get you started.

The Easiest Prius Camper Setup Ever

You don’t need to spend tons of money to go camping in a Toyota Prius. All we did was lay down the two rear seats, put a futon on top, and added blankets and sleeping bags. That’s it!

We also made sure to have a front window shade for privacy, and we tinted the rear windows. Sometimes, when we stealth camped in cities, we’d hang clothes off the hangers in back so people couldn’t detect any movement inside.

There was nothing fancy about our Prius camper, and you don’t have to do anything fancy, either.

We fit a small cooler behind the driver’s seat when we went on camping trips, and we’d carry a tiny camping table and stove. Easy!

Roadloft Prius Camper Conversion Kit

If you want to get a little fancier with your Prius setup, you can install something like this Roadloft Hatchback kit, which fits in most hatchback-type vehicles.

If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your Prius into a cozy, capable camper, the Roadloft Hatchback Conversion Kit might just be the perfect solution. Designed for hatchbacks, this lightweight and removable kit transforms your vehicle into a comfortable mini-camper in under five minutes with no tools or DIY skills required.

With its integrated kitchen, modular bed, and adjustable storage, the Roadloft kit offers impressive functionality in a small footprint. The all-in-one kitchen drawer, retractable sink, and premium comfort mattress make it feel more like a tiny home than a basic camping setup.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, ultra-mobile way to camp in your Prius, Roadloft’s kit is definitely worth checking out.

I wish this had been around when we were living in our Toyota Prius!

Camp ‘N Car’s Pioneer Platform

If you’re looking for a no-fuss way to sleep comfortably in your Prius, the Pioneer Platform might just be your new favorite piece of gear.

I love how it arrives fully assembled—no tools and no building required. Just drop it into your cargo space, adjust the legs to level the sleeping surface, and you’re ready for a cozy night’s rest. Whether you go with the single or double platform, this setup gives you a sturdy, supportive base that feels solid and well-built.

What really stands out to me is the telescoping length and adjustable height, which make it super versatile for a wide range of hatchbacks and crossovers. The optional bi-fold mattress is a great add-on if you’re after extra comfort—it pairs perfectly with the platform for a clean, minimalist sleep setup that still feels like home.

I also love that it’s handcrafted in the U.S. using sustainably sourced plywood from the Pacific Northwest. The build quality is top-notch, and the company clearly cares about thoughtful design and responsible materials. The Pioneer Platform is a great camping kit that will make your Prius super comfortable.

The Tent Box Rooftop Tent

If you’re traveling as a couple and plan to carry a lot of gear with you, opt for a rooftop tent. Simply install a roof rack and mount a rooftop tent on top of it. Sleeping on the roof means you can pack a lot of gear in the back of the car and leave it there at all times.

There are rooftop tents, like TentBox, with a hard fiberglass shell around them. This allows you to leave it mounted on the roof at all times, even in high winds or rain. Setting it up at night is easy and quick. 

Learn more about the TentBox rooftop tent.

4 Toyota Prius Camper Builds for Inspiration

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably sold on transforming the Prius into a camper. We’ve selected the coolest DIY Prius camper conversions out there to help you get inspired for your own project.

David Swanson’s Prius Camper

David bought an inexpensive salvaged 2006 Prius which he completely rebuilt.

“Right from the beginning I was committed to making my Prius into the best home I’ve ever had,” said David. “From there, I’ve tweaked and refined and minimized and organized and I love the space. I love my little car.”

David removed the passenger seat to make way for a 2-inch teak board. During the day, the board serves as his little kitchen area. At night, he rolls his sleeping bag out and lays his head in that space.

For his bed, he uses a Thermarest backpacking pad on top of a Thermarest Mondo King 4-inch mattress. Then, he uses two sleeping bags from Enlightened Equipment Company, which can be snapped into one large bag.

David also installed 200-watts of solar with a lithium battery on his Prius, which he uses to power his induction stove for cooking, his 12-volt Engle portable fridge and a folding electric bike.

You can read more about David’s Prius camper here.

Bo’s full-time Prius rig

Bo has been traveling solo around the US on his Toyota Prius camper since summer 2020. He has taken it to national parks, cities, scenic highways, national forests, and remote areas. His aim is to explore as much of the States as he can on his Prius camper, year-round.

To convert his car into a camper, he took inspiration from the Japanese capsule hotels (pod hotels). Everything in Bo’s Prius is neat and tidy. He took a very minimalistic approach to the build. To create a permanent sleeping area, he removed the back seats and installed a platform.  

His bed is a simple foam mat, coupled with an air mattress. Next to it, he keeps an instant pot, a microwave, a toolbox, his kitchenware, a fridge, and his food.  Under the sleeping platform, he stores a few essentials, such as toiletries. To watch movies, he uses a bendable tablet holder. Bo’s dog sleeps on the front seat, in his camping bed. 

While this build looks very simple, Bo managed to fit all the creature comforts he liked into it. Had he gotten a different car, he could not have carried so much power-thirsthy gear.

Dana’s Prius C camper for short road trips

Dana managed to convert the smaller Prius C into a camper. Thanks to the super cute soft furnishing she chose, this build makes car camping look Instagram-glamorous. Given the small size of the vehicle, she uses it for short trips only. 

Dana needed a temporary rig for a mini road trip, so she just used what she had at home to convert her Prius C into a camper. She used carpets, pillows, lots of blankets, and some boxes. She stuffed the boxes in the back of the car, then she placed a mattress in top of it. After decorating the mattress with blankets and pillows, she hung carpets to create privacy curtains. That’s it. She just carried traditional camping gear in the boxes. 

This kind of Toyota Prius camper conversion is great for anyone who wants to go on last-minute, spontaneous car camping trips, as it requires no planning. 

Nikki’s no-build camper

Nikki turned her 2006 Prius into a camper in 2019 to tour around America and work as a travel advisor and tour guide. A bit of a change from her previous job as a celeb hairstylist, model, and fitness instructor.

Nikki took out all the seats other than the driver’s seat and installed a bike rack to the back of the vehicle. The interior is pretty simple. She built a small platform at the back, which holds much of her gear. At the front of it, she uses two coolers to rest her mattress on.

She decided to use all of the back of the car for her bed, so she sleeps on a comfortable foam double mattress. In the cubbies next to the mattress, she stores towels and other useful bits. The rest of the gear is stored in a roof box. In the trunk, under the bed, she keeps her spares and some of her gear. 

This set-up works great for a solo camper, because you can enjoy sleeping in a double bed in a Prius camper with plenty of space. Going solo means you don’t need to carry a ton of gear, so a roof box is enough.

Best Beds for a Toyota Prius Camper Conversion

If you’re interested in trying out a Toyota Prius as your next camper, here are some beds you might want to try out!

The Therma-Rest NeoAir XTherm is Prius dweller David Swanson’s very favorite bed. He’s tried air mattresses, foam tri-fold mattresses and crib mattresses and likes this one best.

As he writes in a blog post, David likes the tapered shape which leaves room for his gear at the foot of the bed. It’s warm, soft, lightweight and easy to pack and stow away.

This comfortable double-bed gets high marks in Prius camping Facebook groups. It’s thick, luxurious and can sleep up to two people. One guy who uses this bed puts a blanket over the top and has slept in cold temperatures with his Prius in “ready mode”, with the heat on.

The MegaMat camping bed for a Prius weighs 7.5 pounds when deflated and is 11″x22″ when fully packed.

I heard about Luno Life air mattresses for cars, SUVs and vans through a Prius camping Facebook group. This air mattress for a Prius inflates quickly and is super comfortable for up to two people. If you’re a solo camper, just inflate one side of the air mattress, and use the rest of your vehicle for gear.

Memory foam mattresses are another popular one for Prius dwellers, but they don’t fold down as small as a camping mat or air mattress. I’ve heard they are super comfortable, though, even though I haven’t tried them myself.

Make sure you measure the back of your Prius to make sure you get the right size of memory-foam mattress. It is possible to cut the mattress down using an electric turkey carving knife.

I Hope You Love Your Prius Camper!

The Toyota Prius is a reliable, spacious, and economical car that can be converted into a camper. Some of its features are unique. So if you’re considering going car camping on short to medium trips, the Prius makes for an excellent choice. You can live full-time in one for $800 a month.

If you think you would prefer to travel on something bigger, consider a Honda Element, Mercedes Metris, or Nissan NV200.