OUR RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE BEST FUNNY TRAVEL BOOKS

The reality of travel often leads to problems: unexpected schedule changes, painful delays, getting hopelessly lost, eating strange foods and facing unfamiliar cultural situations.  Keeping a sense of humor is essential, and it is especially helpful to be able to laugh at oneself.  Some of our favorite travel writers have a true gift for finding humor in any situation, making funny travel books an important category of travel literature.  Two of the world’s most popular travel writers, Bill Bryson and Paul Theroux, epitomize this type of writing with a dry, intelligent and self-deprecating style.  We have read and can recommend almost every travel book ever published by both writers, starting with The Great Railway Bazaar by Theroux and A Walk in the Woods by Bryson.  Other lesser known but similarly funny British authors include Redmond O’Hanlon, A.A. Gill and Richard Grant, all known for not taking themselves seriously even in the most extreme and serious situations.  Grant’s book Dispatches from Pluto, describing his experience living in rural Mississippi is really worth reading.  J. Maarten Troost has a couple very funny travel books starting with The Sex Lives of Cannibals, the story of his move with his girlfriend to a remote tropical island. Here are our recommendations on some of the funniest travel books.

THE BEST FUNNY TRAVEL BOOKS

Trawler, by Redmond O'Hanlon

We highly recommend Scottish professor Redmond O'Hanlon’s book Trawler, describing his adventure as an honorary passenger on a fishing boat in the highly dangerous waters north of Scotland.  Delve into life aboard a crabbing vessel as O'Hanlon takes you through hectic storms and perilous catches while delivering an avalanche of laughs.  His self-deprecating style and interactions with some amazing characters make this a great read.

The Sex Lives of Cannibals, by J. Maarten Troost

Sex Lives of Cannibals is a funny travel book by J. Maarten Troost, a young man who moves with his wife across the world to a remote island in the Pacific, and to a new life that isn’t quite the island paradise he expected to find.  This often-hilarious book will have you laughing through every new improbable situation Troost finds himself in, while still conveying genuine insights into the vastly different culture he learns to understand and appreciate.  Troost has several similar books, and this is our favorite.

Catfish & Mandala, by Andrew X. Fam

Catfish and Mandala is a touching and sometimes funny memoir of the author’s decision to quit his job, sell his possessions, and set off on bicycle to a journey to visit his native country of Vietnam.  The author captures the reader with a mix of funny anecdotes, heartfelt moments of insight, and beautiful scenery descriptions from all the places he visits.

Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls, by David Sedaris

David Sedaris is a best-selling author and mega-popular speaker, best known for hilarious collections of writing with commentaries on everyday life.  Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls covers several funny stories from his travels.  Through his signature style of dark humor and sharp wit, Sedaris is able to both shock and entertain readers.

Riding the Iron Rooster, by Paul Theroux

Paul Theroux is in our opinion one of the world’s best travel writers, very much for his funny observations on local people and cultures.  One of our favorite books is Riding the Iron Rooster, the acclaimed account of his train trip across China in the 1980s.  Whether it be from the everyday interactions between travelers and locals or greater observations on the country itself, this book has the perfect blend of depth and humor to make for a highly enjoyable read.

Holidays in Hell, by P.J. O'Rourke

Holidays in Hell is a collection of funny stories from foreign correspondent P.J. O’Rourke sharing his experience visiting some of the world’s truly worst places, sometimes during times of conflict.  In this one-of-a-kind travelogue, O'Rourke shares glimpses into treacherous locations such as El Salvador, the Soviet Union, and the Middle East - bringing laughs and education along the way.

Round Ireland with a Fridge, by Tony Hawks

Round Ireland with a Fridge is exactly what it sounds like - a comedian who upon losing a bet after some drinks at the pub is forced to travel around Ireland carrying a small refrigerator.  The concept sounds like a corny way to get attention, but Tony Hawks' book actually grows on you, especially as the Irish people start to get on board to support the endeavor.

Out of Sheer Rage, by Geoff Dyer

Out of Sheer Rage is a humorous book about Geoff Dyer’s unsuccessful attempt to write a book about the English poet D.H. Lawrence.  His motivation was to travel to various places where Lawrence lived, providing him the distraction he really was looking for.  Dyer manages to infuse the story with humor in moments of melancholy, while his self-deprecating writing combined with witty observations will have readers nodding their heads in agreement.

AA Gill is away, by AA Gill

The late AA Gill was a Scottish writer and critic, known best for his writing on travel, food and popular culture.  In the travel writing world, nobody quite left an impression like AA Gill has. His prose brings his adventures to life, inviting readers to travel alongside him through his vibrant and razor-sharp descriptions.  His best-known travel book is called AA Gill is Away, his witty and perceptive collection of travel writing.

Road Fever, by Tim Cahill

Road Fever is a funny and unique travelogue by adventure travel writer Tim Cahill on long-distance racing, and the high-speed road trip that he and a friend made from the southern tip of South America all the way to the north of Alaska, in a record setting time.  Cahill is clearly a traveler at heart with an irreverent eye for adventure, and all his travel writing is worth reading.

A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, by David Foster Wallace

David Foster Wallace was a noted American author and writer, most famous for his celebrated novel Infinite Jest.  We recommend his collection of writing, A Supposedly Fun thing I’ll Never Do Again, in particular for his hilarious essay on his experience cruising.  

By the Seat of My Pants, edited by Don George

If you're looking for a travel writing collection that's sure to have you laughing out loud, then look no further than By the Seat of My Pants, a collection of funny travel stories, as edited by Don George on behalf of Lonely Planet.  The book is a light but worthwhile read for those who love to travel. From stories of riding an elephant through India to nearly contracting jungle fever in Zambia, this book carries its readers on a wild ride across time and cultures.  

Around the World in Eighty Days, with Michael Palin

In 1987 the BBC created a television series inspired by Jules Verne’s classic story Around the World in 80 Days, with the show hosted by the British comedian and actor Michael Palin who attempted to make the same trip.  This is his book chronicling his journey.  

Shopping for Buddhas, by Jeff Greenwald

Shopping for Buddhas is the lighthearted story of Jeff Greenwald’s funny and relatable quest to find the perfect Buddha statue while traveling through in Nepal.  His shopping adventure does actually introduce him to the local customs and the sights and sounds of the real Nepal, making this a compelling travelogue and a good read for anyone visiting this part of the world.  

Westward Ha!, by S.J. Perelman

One of the classics in travel literature is Westward Ha!, the 1948 collection of articles from American humorist S.J. Perelman.  Prepare for an onslaught of clichés and unfiltered accounts of the best and worst of his travel adventures.  From the journalist-turned-astronaut to the empanada-devouring devil, each story has its own whimsical twist, kept afloat by Perelman's expertly witty narration. The writing is sharp and clever, catching readers off guard with an unpredictable punchline or clever quip seemingly placed around every corner.

THE TRAVEL WRITERS MOST LIKELY TO MAKE YOU LAUGH

Bill Bryson

One of our favorite authors is the and one of the best known travel writers is the hilarious Bill Bryson.  Born in Iowa in the 1950s, Bryson brings a friendly and curious perspective to his observations about the world.  His trips are usually several months long, powered by an ongoing narrative that describes the characters he meets along the way, the history of the region, and usually a trip or three to the local pub.  He is especially funny when grumpy, and that is most of the time.  His has published travel books covering his travels across Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and most famously an attempted hike of the Appalachian Trail.  Learn more here about Bill Bryson.

Mark Twain

One of American's best-known writers, the celebrated Mark Twain, actually wrote several famous travel books.  Best known for fictional characters like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn of course, one of his most popular books was The Innocents Abroad, the hilarious account of his five-month cruise voyage exploring the Mediterranean with friends.  See our list of recommended travel books from Mark Twain.