Around the World: The Journey from Jules Verne’s Imagination to Modern-Day Feats

In 1873, Jules Verne captured the imagination of readers around the world with his thrilling adventure novel Around the World in Eighty Days. The book follows the daring and eccentric Phileas Fogg, who wagers that he can travel the globe in precisely 80 days, an impossible feat at the time. Verne’s classic not only shaped generations of explorers but also ignited an insatiable curiosity about the world beyond our immediate horizons. What followed, however, were a series of real-life attempts to replicate Fogg’s bold wager. And the best part? Over time, people have succeeded — faster, more efficiently, and sometimes in the most bizarre ways.

3/19/20254 min read

The 19th Century Dreamers: The Dawn of Global Expeditions

Though Fogg’s fictional adventure remained within the bounds of a thrilling yarn, the very idea of circumnavigating the globe sparked the imaginations of many in the late 19th century. The idea of using steamships, railways, and new transportation technologies became tantalizing, promising to shorten the time it would take to achieve the once-impossible feat.

In 1890, George Francis Train, an American businessman and adventurer, made history by becoming the first person to circumnavigate the globe in a mere 67 days. While it wasn’t quite as fast as Fogg’s 80-day challenge, Train’s achievement was astonishing for its time. He traveled across the United States by train, then took steamships to the Far East, continuing through Europe and back to America. Train, unlike Fogg, had no wager on the line, but his journey undoubtedly prefigured the growing interest in world travel.

The 20th Century: Faster, But Always a Little Chaotic

By the 20th century, technological advancements began to play a pivotal role in making Fogg’s journey a real possibility. The invention of airplanes, faster steamships, and the creation of transcontinental railways gave travelers an expanding toolbox. In 1924, four aviators—two Americans and two Canadians—attempted to fly around the world in 175 days. While they didn’t exactly break any records, they brought global circumnavigation into the modern era. Air travel became a key element of 20th-century travel, significantly reducing time, although complications like bad weather and mechanical failures were still a constant threat.

During this time, however, the world’s fastest circumnavigation was still the domain of those who dared to take on air travel in the daring interwar period. In 1931, a New York Times reporter, Lowell Thomas, wrote about a two-pilot crew who completed a journey from New York to Los Angeles, across the Pacific and through the Suez Canal, in just 36 days. Despite the myriad technical obstacles of the time, this early example of rapid travel was groundbreaking.

The 1960s and Beyond: The Space Age Alters the Game

As humans reached for the stars, they also reached new heights in terrestrial travel. By the 1960s, air travel had become increasingly streamlined, and travelers could move faster than ever before. In 1966, the famed airline Pan Am unveiled a “round-the-world” ticket that allowed passengers to circumnavigate the globe in just 10 days. This marked a radical shift from the logistical challenges of the previous century, and the race to break Fogg’s 80-day record began in earnest.

Still, there were those who took on the challenge just for the thrill. Take, for example, the case of the world’s fastest circumnavigation by car. In 1983, two men, Carl and William, completed the journey in an astounding 45 days, driving across multiple continents, battling broken down cars, questionable roads, and navigating through some of the most difficult terrains in the world. It wasn’t the most efficient method, but it was a statement.

The 21st Century: Jetliners, Speedboats, and Technology Fuel the Race

Fast forward to the 21st century, and it seems that traveling around the world in record time is more than just a physical challenge — it’s a technological one. In the early 2000s, the combination of commercial jets, private yachts, and streamlined logistics enabled several record-breaking trips. The first modern attempt to break the 80-day barrier was made in 2008 by an ambitious team of adventurers.

In 2008, the New Zealand adventurer, David Hempleman-Adams, managed to travel the world in 80 days — but this time by hot air balloon, a somewhat quirky attempt that involved stopping in multiple locations around the globe. His journey brought back the spirit of Verne’s book but with a modern, whimsical twist. This marked a shift: the desire to replicate Fogg’s feat was not just about speed, but about making the journey an extraordinary event in and of itself.

In 2019, however, the real game-changer came in the form of a challenge few could have imagined: the first attempt to circumnavigate the world in a solar-powered plane. Solar Impulse 2, piloted by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, successfully completed the journey after 17 legs and more than 500 hours of flying. While the journey spanned several months due to the need for extensive stops, it set a new precedent for sustainable travel.

Today, the use of private jets and luxury yachts has made traveling the world faster than ever before. However, perhaps the most dramatic recent example of a "speed record" is that of Steve Fossett, who completed an air trip around the world in 2005. Fossett’s use of a specially modified aircraft allowed him to circle the globe non-stop in just 67 hours, an astounding achievement that would leave even Phileas Fogg in awe.

The Age of Fast Travel and Record-Breaking Feats

Today, you can complete a trip around the world in a matter of days or even hours — if you have access to the right technology and logistics. The record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe was set in 2021 by the Swiss adventurer Yannick Moureau, who completed the journey in just 31 hours and 17 minutes — flying at high speeds in a commercial jet, touching down briefly for refueling and technical support.

While Moureau’s achievement may seem like a modern wonder, it's a reminder that the spirit of adventure, first captured in Verne’s novel, is still alive. It has transcended from mere flights of fantasy to a real competition of speed, endurance, and, in some cases, an insatiable thirst for recognition. Today, circumnavigation isn’t just about seeing the world, it’s about mastering it.

The Future of Global Travel: What’s Next?

As we continue into the 21st century, the possibilities seem endless. Perhaps one day, we’ll see even more extraordinary feats — such as around-the-world journeys powered by artificial intelligence, self-driving cars, or even new forms of air travel. Who knows? In a world of hyperloop systems, commercial space travel, and jetpacks, the next Around the World in 80 Days could be more spectacular than anyone can currently imagine.

For now, as we commemorate the ever-decreasing times it takes to make a full circumnavigation, it’s clear that Jules Verne’s daring dream is no longer confined to the pages of a book — it’s a thrilling, record-breaking race that’s far from over. And as technology continues to accelerate, one thing is certain: the challenge of circumnavigating the globe, whether for sport, science, or adventure, will only get more exciting. So, the next time you step onto a plane, remember Phileas Fogg and all the fearless travelers who have followed in his wake — and ask yourself, “Can I do it faster?”