The story, set in the early 1900's, began in The Reform Club - a gentleman's club in London where Willy Fog (a perfect English gentleman) was discussing the possibility of traveling around the world in just eighty days. Only Lord Guinness (an elderly, wheelchair bound goat) agreed with Fog that it could be done. Lord Guinness was frustrated that he couldn't prove the doubters wrong by making the journey himself, so Fog volunteered to do it instead, much to the amusement of the others. Fog then challenged Sullivan, who was most against the idea, to a £10,000 bet. Five others also bet £10,000 against Fog, who accepted. This set the scene for the rest of the series.

Together with his new butler Rigadon (a one-time circus performer) and a charming French hamster called Tico (who worked with Rigadon in the circus), Fog set about his adventure, which lasted through 26 episodes. Their journey was filled with all manner of problems - storms, breakdowns and trouble in distant lands - but their difficulties were due mostly to Transfer - a master of disguise hired by Sullivan to sabotage Fog's expedition. Adding to their problems, Fog and his friends were followed throughout the voyage by Inspector Dix of Scotland Yard, who had a warrant for Willy Fog's arrest under the mistaken belief that Fog was a bank robber on the run!

During the adventure the trio rescued an Indian princess cat, by the name of Romy, from being buried alive. She fell in love with Fog from the first and decided to start a new life with Fog by joining him and his crew on their journey. Together, the four managed to overcome whatever obstacles were thrown their way and they eventually made it back to London. A last-minute panic caused them to think that they were a day late, which was resolved when they realized that after traveling round the world they had actually gained a day. They returned to The Reform Club in the nick of time to win the bet!