Explore the real-world places that appear in Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Reform Club, London, Charing Cross Railway Station, London, Dover Port, England, Gare du Nord, Paris, Suez Canal, Egypt and 11 more.
Pall Mall — The wager that changes everything
Phileas Fogg, the supremely punctual and emotionless English gentleman, makes his extraordinary wager at this exclusive London gentlemen's club. In the smoking room, surrounded by fellow members including Stuart, Flanagan, and Gauthier Ralph, Fogg bets £20,000 that he can circumnavigate the globe in exactly eighty days. The casual bet, made after dinner over the evening papers, becomes his obsession and the entire motor of the narrative. His servant Passepartout witnesses the wager's consequences as Fogg sets out immediately.
The Reform Club, founded in 1836, was one of London's most prestigious gentlemen's clubs, famous for its liberal politics and influential membership. Located on Pall Mall, it served as a gathering place for writers, politicians, and intellectuals throughout the 19th century. Jules Verne chose this real institution as the perfect setting for a story about challenging the impossible.
The Reform Club still operates as an exclusive members-only club on Pall Mall. Its distinctive architecture remains largely unchanged since Verne's time. While the club is private, it occasionally hosts special events and tours for members and guests.
Visit: The Reform Club (landmark)
Strand — Fogg's departure point, 8:45 PM
Phileas Fogg and Passepartout depart from this London terminus at 8:45 PM on October 2nd, beginning their whirlwind journey. Detective Fix observes them boarding the train to Dover, knowing he must follow Fogg across the world to prevent the criminal Phileas Fogg from escaping (though Fix is pursuing the wrong man—Fogg is innocent). The railway platform buzzes with Victorian-era travelers and porters, yet Fogg remains characteristically unmoved by the momentous nature of his departure.
Charing Cross Railway Station opened in 1864 and was designed by John Hawkshaw. It became one of London's major railway termini, connecting the capital to Dover and the Continental routes. The iconic clock tower and Victorian iron work made it instantly recognizable to 19th-century travelers.
Charing Cross remains one of London's busiest rail stations, connecting to the London Underground and serving Southeastern Railway services. The Victorian architecture has been preserved and restored, and the station clock is still a famous meeting point for Londoners.
Visit: Charing Cross Railway Station (historic site)
Kent — Crossing to France by steamship
Fogg and Passepartout arrive at Dover's bustling port where they board a steam-powered packet boat bound for Calais. Detective Fix also appears here, attempting to arrest Fogg (unsuccessfully, as the warrant hasn't arrived). The crossing from Dover to Calais, taking approximately nine hours, marks the crucial first leg of Fogg's global journey. Passepartout remains anxious about the tight schedule while Fogg sits calmly, supremely confident in his calculations.
Dover has been England's principal continental port since medieval times. By the Victorian era, steamship connections to France were frequent and reliable, with multiple daily sailings. The expansion of steam technology in the 1870s made the Dover-Calais route one of Europe's most important travel corridors.
Dover Port remains one of Europe's busiest passenger ports, handling millions of travelers annually. The historic White Cliffs of Dover are famous worldwide, and the port continues to process ferry services to France, Belgium, and other Continental destinations.
Visit: Port of Dover (historic site)
Paris — Ten-minute stop through French capital
The train from Calais arrives at Paris's Gare du Nord, where Fogg and Passepartout have exactly ten minutes to change trains. Passepartout realizes they have arrived in Paris—the city of his birth—but Fogg refuses to spend a single moment exploring or even lingering. The servant desperately wants to see his beloved Paris, but Fogg's inflexible schedule permits only the mechanical transfer from one platform to another. This moment encapsulates the novel's central tension between experience and efficiency.
Gare du Nord opened in 1846 and became one of Paris's major railway termini. By Verne's era, it was the hub for trains from London and northern Europe, handling thousands of passengers daily. The grand Second Empire architecture made it an iconic gateway to Paris.
Gare du Nord is still one of Europe's busiest railway stations, serving millions of passengers annually on regional and international routes. The historic building has been extensively renovated while maintaining its 19th-century character. It remains the primary connection point for travelers from England and northern Europe.
Visit: Gare du Nord (historic site)
Strategic waterway — Passage to the Indian Ocean
Fogg's steamship traverses the newly-opened Suez Canal, a revolutionary engineering feat completed in 1869. The 100-mile waterway cuts through Egypt, saving weeks of travel time around Africa. Passepartout marvels at the engineering while Fogg calculates whether the route's speed advantages overcome potential delays. The canal crossing proves crucial to Fogg's timeline—without this modern shortcut, his wager would be mathematically impossible. Detective Fix remains onboard, still pursuing the supposed criminal.
The Suez Canal opened on November 17, 1869, just two years before Verne wrote his novel. It was designed by French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps and remains one of the world's most important artificial waterways. The canal was a revolutionary modern achievement that dramatically altered global trade routes.
The Suez Canal is one of the world's most critical maritime passages, handling approximately 12% of global trade. Modern container ships navigate the waterway daily. The canal remains a symbol of modern engineering and remains under Egyptian control since the 1956 Suez Crisis.
Suez Canal entrance — First Egyptian port of call
The steamship enters the Suez Canal at Port Said, where Fogg briefly encounters the bustling Egyptian port. The harbor is alive with international commerce and exotic traders. Passepartout observes the colorful crowds and merchant vessels while Fogg remains detached, his attention fixed solely on his pocket watch and timetable. The port represents the first major non-European checkpoint in his circumnavigation.
Port Said was founded in 1859 specifically as the northern terminus of the Suez Canal. The city emerged almost overnight as a vital maritime hub, connecting Europe with Asia and Africa. By the 1870s, it had become a cosmopolitan port filled with merchants, traders, and sailors from around the world.
Port Said remains an important Egyptian port city at the canal's northern entrance. The city preserves significant Ottoman and colonial architecture from its founding era. While less famous than before the 1956 Suez Crisis, it continues as a vital maritime center and popular tourist destination.
Visit: Port Said (historic site)
Apollo Street — Arrival in India, October 20th
Fogg arrives at Bombay's port after crossing the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. He and Passepartout disembark to catch the railway to Calcutta. Fogg's British composure is tested when he must navigate Indian society and railways. Passepartout, meanwhile, blunders into a temple, offending locals by removing his shoes improperly and eventually having to follow Fogg across India. The city represents Fogg's first major test outside Europe—navigating foreign customs with his characteristic coldness while remaining perfectly punctual.
Bombay was the principal British colonial port in India, developed extensively during the 19th century. The city's Grand Central Terminus, completed in 1878, was one of the world's architectural wonders. By Verne's time, the city was the heart of British Indian commerce and a crucial link in the British Empire's global transportation network.
Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is India's largest city and most important port. The historic Colonial-era architecture remains, including the iconic Victoria Terminus, now the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city continues as a major global financial and cultural hub.
Visit: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (landmark)
Bombay to Calcutta — Cross-continental journey
Fogg and Passepartout travel across India by railway, the novel's most complex and eventful leg. A railway engineer, Mr. Fogg, discusses the unfinished sections of track. The journey reveals the enormous gaps in the incomplete Indian railway network—sections under construction force unexpected delays. During this segment, Passepartout is separated from Fogg temporarily, creating dramatic tension. The Indian countryside unfolds with temples, dense jungles, and villages representing an exotic world completely foreign to English sensibilities.
The Indian Railway Network began construction in the 1850s under British colonial administration. By the 1870s, India had over 40,000 miles of track, but many crucial links remained incomplete. The railways were considered the crown jewel of British engineering in India, though notorious for incomplete routes that occasionally stranded travelers.
India Railways is one of the world's largest railway networks, with over 68,000 kilometers of track. Many of the historic Victorian-era stations and bridges from the colonial period still stand and remain in use. The system carries millions of passengers daily and is integral to modern Indian transportation.
Bengal — Railway terminus, October 25th
Fogg arrives in Calcutta at the terminus, completing the overland Indian journey. Detective Fix, who has been pursuing him throughout India, finally arrives with an arrest warrant—but Fogg has already boarded a steamship bound for Hong Kong. Passepartout has rejoined his master after his misadventure with the temple and the elephant rescue of a beautiful widow named Aouda. Aouda now travels with them, having been saved from sati (widow burning). Fogg remains impassive about her presence, treating her as merely another passenger.
Calcutta was the capital of British India during the colonial era and one of the world's great colonial cities. The Howrah Station, completed in 1901, is one of the world's architectural masterpieces, though the earlier Victorian terminus served Verne's story. The city was a center of colonial power, scholarship, and culture.
Kolkata remains India's cultural capital, though no longer the political center. The iconic Howrah Bridge and colonial architecture dominate the cityscape. The historic railway station is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and continues as a vital transportation hub.
Visit: Howrah Station (historic site)
Victoria Harbor — Eastern gateway, November 6th
Fogg's steamship arrives in Hong Kong, where he learns that the ship to Yokohama has departed unexpectedly. This represents a critical threat to his eighty-day schedule. Fogg calmly assesses alternatives and secures a vessel called the Tankadère, a small, ramshackle Chinese junk. Passepartout and Aouda are by now fully invested in the journey's success. Detective Fix, still pursuing Fogg, boards the same vessel. The Hong Kong sequence demonstrates Fogg's remarkable adaptability when circumstances demand it.
Hong Kong became a British crown colony after the First Opium War (1842). By the 1870s, Victoria Harbor was one of the world's busiest ports, handling merchant vessels from every nation. The harbor represents the apex of British colonial power in Asia.
Victoria Harbor remains one of the world's most iconic and bustling harbors. The skyline has transformed dramatically with modern skyscrapers, but the harbor retains its historical importance. Hong Kong continues as a major global financial center and transportation hub.
Visit: Victoria Harbor (historic site)
Japan's primary port — November 20th arrival
After a harrowing voyage across the Pacific on the Tankadère, Fogg arrives in Yokohama, Japan. He must catch the train to Edo (Tokyo) to reach the steamship port and continue to San Francisco. The Japanese sequence shows Verne's fascination with Japan's rapid modernization and westernization. Passepartout observes Japanese customs with wonder, while Fogg remains utterly unmoved by the exotic setting, viewing Japan purely as a logistical problem to overcome. The train journey through Japan tests Fogg's patience with unexpected delays.
Yokohama was forcibly opened to Western trade by Commodore Perry's expedition (1853-1854). By the 1870s, it had become Japan's primary port and a symbol of the nation's rapid modernization. The port bustled with international trade and represented Japan's transformation from isolated nation to emerging global power.
Yokohama is Japan's second-largest city and remains a major international port. The historic waterfront district preserves colonial-era buildings alongside modern development. The city continues as a vital economic center and popular tourist destination celebrating both Japanese tradition and Western influence.
Visit: Yokohama Port (historic site)
Pacific terminus — November 27th, races against time
Fogg arrives in San Francisco and immediately faces his most critical crisis: the train to New York is scheduled to depart the very next morning, leaving no margin for error. During a brief stop in San Francisco, Passepartout becomes entangled in American election riots while trying to secure tickets. Fogg remains characteristically imperturbable, securing their passage without Passepartout's help. The San Francisco sequence represents the novel's turning point—Fogg is now on the final leg of his journey, racing through America with time running dangerously short.
San Francisco became a major international port after the Gold Rush (1848-1849). By the 1870s, the city was the principal gateway between Asia and the American East Coast. The transcontinental railroad, completed in 1869, made San Francisco the western terminus for trains to the Atlantic coast.
San Francisco remains one of America's most iconic cities and an important international port. The Golden Gate Bridge, completed in 1937, is one of the world's most recognizable landmarks. The city continues as a global center for technology, culture, and commerce.
Visit: San Francisco Harbor (historic site)
United States — San Francisco to New York, November 28-December 10
Fogg and his companions traverse the entire American continent by transcontinental railroad. The journey encounters multiple dramatic obstacles: American frontier life, a buffalo stampede that momentarily halts the train, Native American attacks on the rail line, and a desperate detour across ice on a sleigh. Passepartout nearly perishes helping repair the locomotive. Aouda develops romantic feelings for Fogg despite his icy demeanor. Fogg remains methodically focused on timekeeping throughout, even as the train adventures grow increasingly harrowing. Detective Fix travels with them, increasingly convinced of Fogg's innocence.
The First Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, connected the Atlantic and Pacific coasts for the first time. The journey typically took about 10 days. By Verne's time, the railroad represented American technological achievement and the nation's expanding infrastructure. The route passed through wild frontier territory and native lands.
Modern Amtrak trains still follow similar routes across America, though journey times have changed. The historic railroad right-of-ways and many Victorian-era stations remain visible across the American landscape. The transcontinental railroad route is considered one of history's greatest engineering achievements.
Arrival December 11th evening — The climactic crisis
Fogg arrives in New York having successfully crossed America. However, he discovers the transatlantic steamship to Liverpool leaves tomorrow—he has missed the sailing by mere hours. The schedule appears catastrophically broken, threatening his entire eighty-day wager. Fogg calmly secures a small yacht called the Henrietta with a large financial incentive to the captain. Passepartout and Aouda are now utterly devoted to the mission. Detective Fix, finally understanding Fogg's innocence, confesses everything. They set sail across the Atlantic in a desperate final race against time.
New York City in 1872 was the undisputed capital of American commerce and the western terminus for transatlantic steamship lines. The city's harbor teemed with international vessels. Ellis Island had not yet opened as an immigration processing center; immigration occurred directly at Battery Park.
New York City remains the world's leading global financial center and America's largest city. The Statue of Liberty, completed in 1886, now dominates New York Harbor as an iconic symbol. Battery Park and the historic waterfront preserve their importance as maritime gateways.
Visit: Battery Park & New York Harbor (landmark)
December 20th arrival — The final homecoming
Fogg's yacht arrives in Liverpool, completing the circumnavigation of the globe. However, his pocket watch shows it is late evening on December 20th—he believes he has arrived too late, having lost a day crossing the International Date Line unknowingly. Despondent and certain of defeat, Fogg checks into a hotel. He confesses his failure to Aouda, who reveals her love for him. Only the next morning does Fogg realize his error regarding the date—he has actually won his wager with hours to spare. The revelation transforms his emotionless existence into genuine joy and romantic love.
Liverpool was Britain's principal Atlantic port throughout the 19th century. The city's dock system, completed in stages throughout the 1700s and 1800s, made it one of the world's greatest ports. By Verne's era, Liverpool was the transatlantic gateway for millions of British travelers and immigrants.
Liverpool's historic dock system is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Albert Dock and other Victorian-era warehouses have been restored as museums, restaurants, and cultural venues. The city remains an important port and has experienced significant cultural and economic revival.
Visit: Albert Dock (historic site)
Pall Mall — Return and victory, December 21st
Fogg, having realized he has won his wager, races to the Reform Club to claim his victory. He arrives at the club just before midnight on December 21st, mere seconds before the deadline. The club members have already given him up for lost, and wagers are being settled against him. Fogg calmly informs them that he has successfully circumnavigated the globe in exactly eighty days and claims his £20,000 prize. His journey has transformed him from a cold, emotionless automaton into a man capable of love—he marries Aouda and becomes a genuinely happy human being.
The Reform Club (see earlier entry) served as both the novel's beginning and triumphant conclusion. Verne chose this real institution to frame his extraordinary tale of human endurance, technology, and unexpected romance.
The Reform Club continues as an exclusive private club on Pall Mall. Its architectural and historical significance is preserved. The club occasionally hosts special events and exhibitions celebrating its literary and cultural importance.
Visit: The Reform Club (landmark)
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