The bride and groom were incredibly gracious and found the mix interesting, inviting me to stay a while………
8 Funny & Unusual Travel Stories from Across the Globe. What’s your funniest travel story? It could be something that happened at the airport, during a tour, a conversation you had with a local, or an experience that was so unusual that it makes you laugh when you think about it.
Eight travel experts shared some of the most memorable moments they’ve had during their adventures. Let’s check them out!
Unexpected Luxury in a Blizzard
Years ago, when I was 18, I went on a trip to Europe. I was a poor university student, so I had saved up some money. Like a lot of people, I had to make the dreaded phone call to the “Bank of Mum and Dad” to ask for some extra money (as I had spent my money on necessities like alcohol). I had finished my trip in France and didn’t have the money to fly back to London (where my sister was living at the time). My dad booked the cheapest flight he could find (and I headed to the airport with my last 25 euros).
On the night of the flight, there was a huge snowstorm in Europe, and when I got to the airport, we were told that all flights had been canceled and they were giving us hotel vouchers. I jumped on a bus, ended up at a hotel, and was told that they only had suites left, so with my 25 euros left, I moved my luggage to a 450 euro per night hotel. They also gave us drink and food vouchers.
There was a huge party going on downstairs. The hotel was packed. I struck up a conversation with a middle-aged couple, and they invited me to join them for dinner. My husband, Peter, also suggested that we go out and have some cigars and scotch in the snow. The next morning, we were all heading to the airport, and I was sitting in the seat next to the couple from the night before. We had a few drinks on the flight and flew back to London.
As I was leaving the airport, I realized I didn’t have enough to buy a tube ticket for my accommodation. Peter noticed this and asked if I wanted a lift home. The next minute, we were waiting for valet parking, and this amazing sports car pulled up. On the way home, they took me on a tour of London, and they dropped me off at my sister’s door.
My sister made me empty her pockets. At that point, I had less than 5 euros. She asked how I got back home, and I had to admit that I had managed to get from Paris to London, stay in an expensive hotel suite with food and wine, travel in a luxury Jaguar (with a few beers in a pub along the way), all for just over 20 euros.
Ross Muller, Business Owner and Guide, Vino Rosso Tours
A Night with Gecko Roommates
I was traveling solo in Chiapas, Mexico, and decided to try a local mom-and-pop hotel. I returned to my room after a day of exploring, only to find that a family of geckos had moved in. They were everywhere, on the walls, on the ceiling, even on my bed. It was a comedy of errors trying to catch them. I practically slipped on the tile and almost knocked over a lamp. At one point, I started talking to them as if they could hear me.
Eventually, I accepted the fact and slept with my new “roommates.” The geckos weren’t exactly dangerous; on the contrary, there was something strangely comforting about their presence. Now, whenever I think back to what kind of night it was, I just laugh. It serves as a reminder that the most memorable aspects of travel are the unplanned adventures.
Alex Vika, Founder, Vibe Adventures
Lost in Translation on the U-Bahn
Once, during a trip to Munich, I had learned just enough German to get by, or so I thought. One day, while navigating the U-Bahn (subway), I was approached by some friendly, elderly Bavarians from the countryside. Thinking I was a local, they asked how to buy tickets.
Armed with my very limited German, I tried to guide them through the process. It turned into quite a spectacle as I could only manage one- to two-word instructions: “Press here,” then “push here,” followed by “push here,” and finally, “money here.” My confidence grew with each word, but I had little idea what it looked like.
When I finished, I saw their surprised looks turn into sympathetic smiles. It dawned on me that they thought I was mentally challenged rather than a foreigner. They started showering me with compliments, telling me what a “super” job I had done and “how special I was.” One even patted me on the back and gave me a lollipop.
And you know what? It was a really good lollipop!
Martin Wagner, COO and Co-Founder, Go Real Travel
Amazing Parachute Jump on a Hike
I once had a guest book a guided hike with me. He joined another party of three who had booked with me that day. Before the hike, he checked in several times to make sure the route we would be hiking had lots of good “viewpoints,” especially on the steeper sections. On the day of the hike, he arrived with a fairly large backpack, which seemed a bit odd since we were doing a half-day hike.
Anyway, once we got close to the top of the mountain and took a much-needed break at one of those “viewpoints,” which was over 100 meters high, he proceeded to organize a few things in his backpack, walked to the edge of the cliff face, wished us a nice day, and jumped off — much to the surprise of my other guests. Then we noticed that he had pulled out his parachute and was lining up to descend on a contoured path below. It’s just such a strange day when I think about it.
Mark Broomhall, Founder, Cape Trek
Overbooked apartments lead to unforgettable stays
While scouting Sardinia, Italy, I planned to stay in an apartment in Golfo Aranci for three weeks while preparing for a trip with travel agent FAM and looking for potential seasonal accommodations for myself. Upon arrival, I discovered that the apartment was overbooked and unavailable. Initially delighted that such an accident had befallen a travel professional like me rather than one of my clients, my amusement quickly turned to concern as I was faced with the prospect of finding immediate accommodation.
The next day, during a site inspection, I shared my concerns with a local hotelier. With a touch of humor, she said, “We can’t put you up on the streets of Sardinia,” and graciously invited me to stay at her property, Gabbiano Azzurro, right next door to the apartment. She went above and beyond, taking care of my meals, laundry, tours, and more, taking care of what could have been a stressful situation on the best trip of my life.
The experience highlighted several valuable lessons in travel: Always prepare for the unexpected and remain flexible. Effective communication is essential—sharing your situation with local contacts can open up solutions you might not have considered. Always have a backup plan in place to save you from potential headaches, such as additional accommodation options.
Additionally, taking advantage of local hospitality can solve logistical problems and enhance your travel experience. Local businesses and hoteliers are often willing to help and can provide valuable resources and insights. This approach can turn potential disasters into memorable adventures, reminding us that the best travel stories sometimes come from the most unexpected circumstances.
Tammy Levent, President, Elite Travel Management Group, Inc.
Diesel Disaster Turned into Irish Charm
One of my most interesting travel stories happened during a trip to Ireland. At the start of what would have been an amazing day trip to explore the Blarney Stone, I needed to fill up my rental car. Pulling into a small gas station, I grabbed the nozzle and began filling the tank. After a few minutes, as the car shook, I realized I had made a terrible mistake: I had put diesel in a petrol car!
In Ireland, the diesel nozzle fits into the petrol tank, but not vice versa. Panic set in as I imagined the potential damage to the car and the costs that would follow. I pulled over and got a tow truck on the phone for help.
The driver was incredibly considerate and even brought a siphon so we could drain the diesel. While waiting for him to arrive, I chatted with some locals at the station, who shared their own funny travel mishaps, which made the situation even more lighthearted. They assured me that it happens more often than one might think.
When the tow truck arrived, he quickly drained the tank, laughing with me as he recounted similar stories from other passengers. Although it was a bit of a hassle and cost a few hundred euros, the kindness and humor of the Irish people turned what could have been a stress-busting experience into a memorable and enjoyable one.
Now, whenever I think back to my trip to Ireland, I can’t help but laugh at the image of standing there, terrified, clutching the nozzle of a diesel, and being rescued by friendly locals. It was a classic travel mishap that turned into a funny and unforgettable story.
James Edge, CEO, Beyond the States
Accidental Wedding Guest in Singapore
I have an interesting travel story in Singapore. I was exploring the city’s famous Marina Bay Sands area and decided to visit the Sky Park Observation Deck for amazing panoramic views.
Excitedly, I entered what I thought was the right elevator, only to realize that I had inadvertently stepped into a private event elevator. I ended up in a glamorous ballroom filled with beautifully dressed guests in the middle of a wedding reception.
Dressed in casual tourist attire, I clearly didn’t belong, but before I could sneak out, a friendly older gentleman mistook me for a distant relative and began introducing me to everyone.
The bride and groom were incredibly gracious and found the mix interesting, inviting me to stay a while. We all had a good laugh, and I even enjoyed a delicious wedding cake before finally making my way up to the observation deck. It was an unexpected and hilarious twist that made my trip to Singapore unforgettable.
Aseem Jha, Founder, Legal Consulting Pro
Jet-lagged ‘Toilet Ninja’ in Japan
One of the most interesting travel stories I had was when I visited Japan a few years ago. I was at the airport, exhausted from a long flight and struggling with a bit of jet lag. I went to the restroom to freshen up, and that’s when things took an unexpected turn. You see, Japanese toilets are quite high-tech, with a plethora of buttons and features. In my grumpy state, I pressed what I thought was the flush button, but instead, I activated a bidet function that started spraying water everywhere. I tried to stop it, but in my panic, I only managed to press more buttons, each one triggering different functions.
Finally, a kind member of the airport staff heard the commotion and came to my rescue, turning off the water and showing me how to use the controls properly. We both laughed about it, and he even jokingly called me a “toilet ninja” for my unintentionally pressing the button. To this day, I can’t think about the incident without laughing, and it always reminds me to take a deep breath and read the instructions carefully, no matter how tired I am.
