THE FUNNIEST TRAVEL BOOKS

The reality of travel means unexpected schedule changes, unfamiliar situations and inexplicable cultural differences, and a sense of humor is pretty important.  Some of our favorite travel writers, like Bill Bryson and Paul Theroux, have a gift for finding humor in any situation.  Here are our recommendations on the funniest travel books.

THE TRAVEL WRITER MOST LIKELY TO MAKE YOU LAUGH - BILL BRYSON

One of our favorite 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 trip are usually several months long, with a 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, critical, and self-deprecating, and that is most of the time.  His most notable books cover trips across Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and an attempted hike of the Appalachian Trail.

A5 RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE FUNNIEST TRAVEL BOOKS

Catfish and Mandala
A touching and funny memoir of a return trip to the author's native country, Vietnam.
Sex Lives of Cannibals
A young American couple adjusts to life on a remote island in the Pacific.
Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls
One of David Sedaris' best books, with many stories from his travels.
Riding the Iron Rooster
The acclaimed account of Paul Theroux's train trip across China in the 1980s.
Holidays in Hell
A collection of stories from a foreign correspondent on some of the world's worst places.
Out of Sheer Rage
A book about Geoff Dyer's unsuccessful attempt to write a book about D.E Lawrence.
AA Gill is away
A collection of brilliant and spectacularly witty travel stories from the controversial AA Gill.
A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again
Intelligent and funny essays by the influential David Foster Wallace.
Round Ireland with a Fridge
After losing a bet, Tony Hawks travels around Ireland with a fridge.
Road Fever
Adventure travel writer Tim Cahill's high-speed travelogue on long-distance racing.
Trawler
Redmond O'Hanlon is invited to accompany a fishing boat in dangerous waters north of Scotland.
By the Seat of My Pants
Funny tales of travel misadventure, as selected by Lonely Planet and Don George.
Around the World in Eighty Days (by Michael Palin)
Monthy Python's Michael Palin tries to relive Jules Verne's classic story.
Westward Ha!
Madcap travel adventures from American humorist S.J. Perelman.
Shopping for Buddhas
Jeff Greenwald's funny quest to find the perfect Buddha statue in Nepal.

OTHER RELATED RECOMMENDATIONS

Mark Twain

One of the funniest travel writers ever, even when read today, is the celebrated Mark Twain.  Best known for fictional characters like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Twain has written several excellent travelogues.  Our favorite and his best known is The Innocents Abroad, the account of a five month journey along the Mediterranean.