Willy Fog hires Rigodon, a former circus performer, to replace the butler he dismissed the previous day and, unknowingly, hires Rigodon's friend, Tico, at the same time. Later, Fog tells his fellows at London's Reform Club that he has read an article which suggests one can travel around the world in eighty days. To prove to his skeptical colleagues that this is possible, he wagers half his £40,000 fortune that he can make the journey.

As Fog, Rigodon and Tico begin their journey, Mr Sullivan (one of the four who bet against Fog) hires a cunning master of disguise known as Transfer to sabotage the expedition. Meanwhile, Inspector Dix and Constable Bully of Scotland Yard discover that Fog matches the description of the suspect in a recent robbery at the Bank of England and are sent to trail him.

Transfer, disguised as a French lady, attempts to lead Fog and his party astray in Paris, only to be thwarted by Rigodon and Tico in the woods on the outskirts of the city. As a result, Fog learns of Tico's presence in his party.