Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Around the World in Eighty Days. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Phileas Fogg thinks he has lost his bet by arriving in London five minutes late, but he discovers he gained a full day by travelling east around the world. He rushes to the Reform Club just in time, wins the £20,000 wager and marries Aouda, the woman he rescued in India.
Quick facts
– Book: Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
– First published: 1873
– Type: An adventure novel
– Tone of the ending: Joyful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Fogg, a precise English gentleman, bets members of the Reform Club that he can travel around the world in eighty days. With his French servant Passepartout, he sets out by train and steamship. Detective Fix follows them, believing Fogg is a bank robber. In India, they rescue Aouda, a young widow, from being put to death against her will.
What Happens at the End of Around the World in Eighty Days
In Liverpool, Fix arrests Fogg, but it turns out the real robber was caught days earlier. Fogg arrives in London, thinking he is late, and returns home defeated. Aouda proposes, and he accepts. Passepartout goes to arrange the wedding and realizes it is only Saturday; they gained a day crossing the date line. Fogg reaches the club with seconds to spare.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The date line saves Fogg.
- Fix's arrest causes the delay.
- Fogg marries Aouda.
- Fogg's real prize is love.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Phileas Fogg | Wins the bet and marries Aouda |
| Passepartout | Discovers the date mistake |
| Aouda | Marries Fogg |
| Detective Fix | Proved wrong |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows that the journey changed Fogg. He gains love, which matters more than money.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers enjoy the clever twist, and many note that the precise Fogg never once noticed the extra day, while the ordinary Passepartout did. Others focus on the colonial view of the world the book reflects, which reads very differently today.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Time. The date line twist.
Love. Fogg finds love.
Adventure. The journey matters.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Around the World in Eighty Days as joyful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Jules Verne to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are joyful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Jules Verne closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
Most film versions keep the date-line twist.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Around the World in Eighty Days with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about time, and do you agree with Jules Verne's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as joyful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces time and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Jules Verne leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Around the World in Eighty Days often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Around the World in Eighty Days earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After Around the World in Eighty Days
- Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas by Jules Verne
- The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan
Related: Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Around the World in Eighty Days You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Around the World in Eighty Days?
Phileas Fogg thinks he has lost his bet by arriving in London five minutes late, but he discovers he gained a full day by travelling east around the world. He rushes to the Reform Club just in time, wins the £20,000 wager and marries Aouda, the woman he rescued in India.
Is the ending of Around the World in Eighty Days happy or sad?
Most readers call it joyful.
What does the ending of Around the World in Eighty Days mean?
The ending shows that the journey changed Fogg.
Is the ending of Around the World in Eighty Days the same in the adaptation?
Most film versions keep the date-line twist.
Who wrote Around the World in Eighty Days and when was it published?
Around the World in Eighty Days was written by Jules Verne and first published in 1873.
Is Around the World in Eighty Days worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy adventure novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Jules Verne prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Around the World in Eighty Days before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.