Laughter is the Best Medicine: Funny Travel Books and Funny Travel Movies
Comedian Milton Berle once said “You don’t need to travel, laughter is an instant vacation.” As much as I agree, I like it even better when I can combine those two things–there is just something special about giggling with girlfriends while sitting on the beach, hearing friends’ funny stories while sitting around a campfire, or thinking about some of my own hilarious adventures from around the world (ask me about having my face read in South Korea, being punched by a yoga teacher in India, or being pushed off a cliff near Victoria Falls).
When you don’t have the opportunity to combine laughter and travel yourself, you can do so through a good travel book or travel movie. See below for ten funny travel books and ten funny travel movies (not listed in any particular order) that will make you laugh out loud…AND want to get on an airplane.
(One note: Humor is one of those things that’s different for everyone; we’ve tried to include a variety here so you can find one that works for you!)
Ten Funny Travel Books
Round Ireland With a Fridge
Author: Tony Hawks
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography/Memoir, Comedy, Self-Discovery
Places Featured: Ireland
The premise of this book is a drunken bet: Tony Hawks, a British comedian, bets a friend that he can hitchhike around Ireland in 30 days…with a refrigerator as a companion. This book details that journey with descriptions of hilarious adventures, interesting characters in small Irish towns, and many many evenings in pubs. There are some definite LOL-moments and some heartwarming observations on life, travel, and the people of Ireland. (We have a book review on Round Ireland with a Fridge, too.)
Whatever You Do, Don’t Run: True Stories of a Botswana Safari Guide
Author: Peter Allison
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography/Memoir, Comedy
Places Featured: Botswana, Africa
Whenever someone asks for a recommendation of a funny travel book, this is usually the first one I recommend. Peter Allison is an Australian who loved Africa so much he decided he wanted to stay, so he became a safari guide. He shares those adventures with us in this book that gives a behind-the-scenes-look at the interactions with animals, sometimes ridiculous tourists, and safari guide antics that are a part of safari life in Botswana. The sequel, Don’t Look Behind You, is also hilarious and includes stories from South Africa, Mozambique, and Namibia.
Note from Jen: I first published a review of Whatever You Do, Don’t Run in 2010–I read it while on safari in Africa (!)–and it’s one that’s always stuck with me as a hilarious (but very good) travel book and I recommend it often.
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
Author: Bill Bryson
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography/Memoir, Comedy, Health & Fitness/Sports & Recreation
Places Featured: Appalachian Trail, United States
Bill Bryson is one of the most well-known travel writers in the world and there’s a reason for that: he’s a great writer that brings a place alive with humor, thorough descriptions, and an openness that is fascinating and heartwarming. This is probably my favorite of his as it outlines his 800 mile trek through parts of the Appalachian Trail (with a buddy, who adds a lot of humor) and the sometimes ridiculous people they meet along the way, while also detailing the beauty and fragility of nature in the world we live in.
The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific
Author: J. Maarten Troost
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography/Memoir, Comedy, Self-Discovery/Change
Places Featured: Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati (Pacific Island)
Like many of us, Maarten Troost woke up one morning and wasn’t sure what he was doing with his life. Unlike many of us, he decided to move to a Pacific Island most of us have never heard of: Tarawa (part of the Republic of Kiribati). As you can imagine, there are a few misadventures along the way as he adjusts to a very different life on the island. (We almost included this in our list of books of 20 Travel Books and 20 Travel Movies about Personal Change for 2020.)
Wake Up and Smell the Shit: Hilarious Travel Disasters, Monstrous Toilets, and a Demon Dildo
Author: Several (Edited by Kirsten Koza)
Genre: Nonfiction, Comedy, Short Stories
Places Featured: Several
Traveler’s Tales offer many great collections of personal stories of travels from around the world–in this collection, there are stories of the bizarre, ridiculous, and…memorable…moments that only traveling can provide. This book reminds you that although trips don’t always go as planned, sometimes that’s where the best experiences come from. (Warning, though, as you might have guessed from the title, this book is not for the conservative!)
The Hotel on the Roof of the World: From Miss Tibet to Shangri La
Author: Alec Le Sueur
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography/Memoir, Comedy
Places Featured: Lhasa, Tibet
Alec Le Sueur was an accomplished figure in the world of luxury resorts (think London, Paris, and St. Tropez) when he decided to take a position in Lhasa, Tibet, at not-your-typical Holiday Inn. There are plenty of hilarious experiences here (like snakes being delivered to the hotel, deciphering nonsensical government red tape, and adjusting to life somewhere very different), but there are also interesting insights into Tibet (in 1988), its people, and its culture.
What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding: A Memoir
Author: Kristen Newman
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography/Memoir, Comedy, Self-Discovery/Change
Places Featured: Several
As a writer for shows like How I Met Your Mother and That 70s Show, Kristen Newman knew a thing or two about writing funny stories. Another thing she knew was that she wasn’t ready to settle down, so instead of walking down the aisle like many of her friends, she hopped on an airplane and traveled the world, seeing new sights, experiencing new things, and meeting new people (spoiler: several of them are beautiful men). This is another one that could have gone on our list of books about how Travel Changes You; you’ll want this one especially if you’re looking for a book about personal change that will make you laugh at life (but not recommended for the conservative).
Note from Jen: This book regularly makes it into various women’s travel groups and there is always a variety of opinions–I’m a fan. Yes, she’s privileged, and yes, there’s a lot in this book about the men she meets along the way, but it’s a travel memoir about a single woman traveling. It’s funny, well-written, and it’s HER story.
A Year in the Merde
Author: Stephen Clarke
Genre: Fiction, Comedy
Places Featured: Paris, France
“Funny” isn’t a word usually used to describe France or the French, but Stephen Clarke manages to make his descriptions of experiences living as an expat in Paris very funny. Written as a fictional account, the “possibly true” stories relate how the French approach to business, interactions with waiters, and attempts to purchase a house can be challenging…in a very humorous way. It’s very popular amongst Francophiles! (In fact, it made it to our list of books about France!)
That Bear Ate My Pants: A Comedy Memoir… with Teeth and Claws!
Author: Tony James Slater
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography/Memoir, Comedy
Places Featured: Ecuador, Galapagos Islands
At the age of 24, Tony Slater moved from England to the Galapagos Islands to work at an animal refuge. And, so it seems, whenever you put an Englishman in an uncomfortable situation (especially ones that involve animals and differences in culture), hilarity follows: interactions with animals, “unique” volunteers, and an attempt at romance provide some LOL-moments. Slater is another one of those authors that manages to make his hilarious stories also heartwarming…and makes me long to visit the Galapagos. (One note: Slater also uses a lot of swear words, so that might be troublesome for some.)
An Idiot Abroad: The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkington
Author: Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography/Memoir, Comedy
Places Featured: Several (The Seven Wonders of the World)
If you’ve enjoyed the funny travel documentary series An Idiot Abroad (brought to you by the creators of The Office), you’ll enjoy this written version of the show. Karl Pilkington was perfectly happy with his life in the United Kingdom, when his good friends (and well-known comedians, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant) decided that he needed to expand his horizons a bit, so he heads out on an adventure to see the Seven Wonders of the World–feeling uncomfortable and awe-inspired along the way. This is his diary during those adventures.
Honorable Mention Funny Travel Books:
- Vroom with a View by Peter Moore
- Don’t Go There by Adam Fletcher
- And its sequel Don’t Come Back
Ten Funny Travel Movies
National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Places Featured: London, England, Germany, France, Italy
“Hey, look kids! There’s Big Ben! There’s Parliament!” If you don’t know what that means, then you need to stop what you’re doing and find this movie. It’s a travel classic! Chevy Chase (as Clark Griswold) wins a trip to Europe and takes his reluctant family to see the sights. Of course, there are hilarious disasters at every turn and as much as Clark tries to make things better, they just keep getting worse. (The 80s fashion alone makes this movie worth it.)
Note from Jen: This really is one of my favorites and I rewatch it often. (I have a full movie review for European Vacation, too.)
National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Places Featured: United States
I debated on including this one since I personally enjoy European Vacation more, but you also can’t go wrong with this movie that started the whole Vacation series with the Griswold family. In this one, Clark takes his family on the quintessential family vacation–a road trip across the United States with stops to visit family, questionable motels, and the usual travel mishaps with the ultimate destination in mind: Wally World.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Places Featured: United States
This isn’t a travel movie in the sense that it invokes a sense of place, but it is definitely a movie that is all about travel. For many it’s part of a Thanksgiving ritual: Type-A personality Neal is trying to get home to his family for the holiday, but runs into travel problem after travel problem (cancelled flights in the winter in the Midwest are kind of a given) and somehow the annoying Del always seems to be right there. You really can’t go wrong with the late great John Candy and the hilarious Steve Martin when he was in his prime.
Note from Jen: Not sure when the tradition started as it wasn’t really a movie we watched when I was a child, but I now watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles every Thanksgiving. (Which is why the movie made it onto my list of Holiday Travel Movies.)
The Hangover (2009)
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Places Featured: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
It’s definitely not your typical travel movie, but you do see a lot of Las Vegas in this movie (though, admittedly, not necessarily “real” Las Vegas). Four friends descend on Las Vegas for the ultimate stag party. And when they all wake up, the groom is missing and, as you might have assumed, they all have one massive hangover. As they try to piece together the night and find their friend in time for the wedding, they find themselves in some unusual places. (Note: Definitely some raunchy frat boy humor in this one, so skip if you’re not a fan of that.) There are several sequels, too!
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Action/Adventure
Places Featured: Beverly Hills, California, United States
Oh, Eddie Murphy. He was so good in the 80s. And this is (arguably) one of his best. Axel Foley is a reckless Detroit cop who’s childhood friend is murdered. While trying to track down the murderer, he ends up in Beverly Hills, discovering that life there is very different than Detroit and that he might be in over his head in searching for these killers… Sometimes a funny action movie is just what you need. This one also has several sequels!
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Self-Discovery/Change
Places Featured: Hawaii
Not many break-up movies are hilarious, but there’s a talented cast of comedians in this one (Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand) that make it hilarious. Add the beautiful background of Hawaii and a heartwarming ending and it’s a surprisingly good romantic comedy. (Note: there are a few cringeworthy “inappropriate” jokes in this one, too, though.)
Crocodile Dundee (1986)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Places Featured: Australia, New York City, United States
The classic “fish-out-of-water” comedy (seems to be a trend in this list). Paul Hogan plays Mick Dundee, a legendary crocodile hunter, who tries to impress reporter Sue (Linda Kozlowski) when she comes to interview him. It works and she invites him to New York City where he explores life in a city very different than the Outback. (This has been one of my favorites for awhile, so check out my review of Crocodile Dundee from way back when!) There are a few sequels (including Crocodile Dundee: Los Angeles).
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama, War & Military
Places Featured: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam
As almost only Robin Williams can do, Good Morning, Vietnam walks that fine line of finding humor in a very difficult subject. He plays a radio announcer sent to Vietnam to entertain the soldiers fighting, but his superiors don’t find him very funny and he’s soon forced to recognize the dark side of war. Robin Williams won an Academy Award for the role, so you know it’s that kind of good.
The Bucket List (2007)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Places Featured: Several
Two powerhouses (Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman) star in this heartwarming inspiring comedy about two very different men who end up in the same hospital room, reflecting on their pasts and contemplating what they want from the rest of their lives; when they realize they have lists of things left undone, they decide to head out for some adventure. (It’s a good reminder of what’s important in life, so this is also included in our list of travel movies about self-discovery and personal change.)
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Musical
Places Featured: Australia
This movie about a drag queen, a drag queen in training, and a transexual who travel across Australia in a tour bus named “Priscilla” performing in small towns and meeting interesting characters along the way, quickly became a cult classic. With a positive LGBTQ story, a fun soundtrack, and Academy Award winning costumes, it’s another funny movie with a heartwarming inner layer. (And if you love road trip movies, I have a whole list.)
