Trace the fictional journey of Phileas Fogg from Jules Verne's 1873 classic. London to New York in 80 days—a route that remains rewarding in 2026.
Replicating Phileas Fogg's route in 2026 reveals how much has changed about global movement — and how much the fantasy of circumnavigation still drives people to try.
Updated in March of 2026
Part of indie travel's appeal is doing something different from the standard two-week vacation. This journey replicates the route of Phileas Fogg, Jules Verne's fictional protagonist from 1873, traveling London - Suez - Bombay (Mumbai) - Calcutta (Kolkata) - Hong Kong - Yokohama (Japan) - San Francisco - New York - London. You can adapt the timing to your schedule, but the classic version takes 80 days.
A 20,000-pound wager (worth roughly $1.6 million in 2026 values) sets Fogg's journey in motion. He departs London with his assistant Passepartout, a small carpetbag, and sufficient funds to complete his circumnavigation in 80 days. The pair encounters obstacles throughout - rescuing a woman from ritual sacrifice, dealing with local conflicts, purchasing an elephant, chartering a boat, and evading a detective convinced Fogg is a thief. While Fogg himself is not an adventurous sightseer, delegating exploration to Passepartout, his route covers some of the world's most important cities.
In Verne's time, circumnavigating the globe meant relying entirely on trains and ships. Today, modern air travel makes this journey dramatically faster. Yet the route's appeal lies in visiting a succession of major international cities in logical sequence - something as relevant in 2026 as it was in 1873.
Why follow this route?
Advantages
Following a literary legend's route provides narrative continuity. You'll encounter major international hubs that function well for travelers. The itinerary avoids typical backpacker circuits through Suez and Yokohama. Ten days in each location allows reasonable exploration within the 80-day framework. The journey itself becomes a conversation piece and offers a clear sense of literary and historical connection.
Challenges
Check current travel advisories for Suez and Egypt before planning. The original route misses Tokyo, Cairo, and Agra if you stick strictly to Fogg's path. Eighty days is an unconventional trip length for most travelers. Major cities cost more, and budget accommodations can be scarce in places like Suez. Visa requirements and processing times have become more complex since 2024, requiring advance planning.
What makes this different
The route carries literary weight and historical resonance. You step away from common backpacker circuits. If you have more than 80 days, you can develop this into a richer journey through Europe, North Africa, South Asia, East Asia, and North America. Overland options - particularly India's rail network and North American coach services - let you approach Fogg's experience more closely while reducing expenses. In 2026, digital nomad visas in several destinations offer flexibility for extended stays.
Who should consider this route
Anyone drawn to literary travel. Couples seeking a shared long-term adventure. Solo travelers who appreciate structure and narrative. Families able to sustain extended travel - cities like London, Hong Kong, and New York offer excellent facilities, though managing 80 days with children requires preparation.
Timing and weather
Fogg's original October to December journey meant winter conditions across most stops. For this 2026 iteration, starting in late February or March positions you well for moderate weather across the route. This timing aligns most destinations with their better seasons or shoulder periods, assuming roughly 10 days per city.
London - March to September, though summer rainfall has increased; pack rain gear. Avoid December to February when transport disruptions are common.
Suez - December to February offers the most comfortable conditions; June to August reaches 40C and oppressive heat.
Mumbai - October to April provides dry weather and comfortable temperatures. Avoid June to September monsoon season.
Kolkata - October to March is best, though the Durga Puja festival in October draws crowds. April and May bring intense heat; June to September is monsoon season.
Hong Kong - October to December provides optimal conditions. March to May has rising heat and humidity; June to August is hot and rainy; September brings typhoon risk.
Yokohama - March to early May offers the best conditions, including cherry blossom season. Avoid May to June (rain), August to October (typhoons), and mid-winter.
San Francisco - April and October are best; spring and fall generally favorable. November to February brings rain and cold; summer can be foggy.
New York - May, September, and October are ideal. June to August work if you tolerate heat; winter is cold and crowded but can be rewarding.
Transport and modern travel in 2026
Verne's world required months of sailing and rail time. Modern flights reduce journey duration significantly, freeing more time for exploration. India's rail network still offers authentic long-distance travel - the 27-hour Mumbai to Kolkata route remains viable. North American coach services handle the 3,000km San Francisco to New York journey in three nights. Real-time translation apps and digital payment systems, common in 2026, ease navigation across language barriers. Budget airlines make hopping between these cities affordable, though you'll want to balance flight savings against the value of slower, overland routes that echo Fogg's original experience.
Budget and accommodation
This trip will not be cheap. London, Hong Kong, and New York are expensive cities by any measure. Budget travelers might manage on $30-50 USD per day in Mumbai and Kolkata, but those figures jump to $60-100 in major hub cities. Accommodation options have multiplied since 2015 - apartment-sharing platforms offer better deals than traditional hostels in many locations. Consider mixing accommodation types: share apartments in expensive cities, budget hotels elsewhere. Long-distance buses and trains provide dual benefits - they're cheaper than flights and function as accommodation themselves, saving hotel costs. A reasonable 80-day budget factoring realistic comfort levels and transport runs $8,000-12,000 USD, though disciplined travelers have managed less and those seeking comfort will spend more.
Visa strategy
Your passport and visa needs will determine logistics more than anything else. UK citizens enjoy visa-free or easy access to most destinations on this route. US passport holders should plan India visas well in advance - the e-visa process works but requires preparation. Japanese and Hong Kong visas typically aren't necessary for UK and US citizens. Egypt (for Suez) has become more accessible, though check current entry requirements as these change. Most countries offer tourist visas of 30 to 90 days, which align well with 10 days per city. Plan visa applications at least 3-4 months ahead. Some destinations now offer extended tourist visas or digital nomad visas - research these options for potential cost savings and extended stay flexibility.
Why this journey endures
What makes retracing Phileas Fogg's route compelling in 2026 is that it connects you to a character and story that still resonates. Jules Verne imagined global travel when it was difficult and uncertain. Following his map gives your own journey narrative shape. You're not just checking off attractions; you're moving through cities that Verne saw as nodes in a global network - the same cities that function as international hubs today. The romance of the journey lies in covering vast distances while staying in one continuous narrative arc. Whether you complete it in exactly 80 days or take longer, whether you use flights or trains or buses, the structure remains: a wager, a world, and the clock always ticking.