Top 10 Longest Tunnels in the World
Hello, my name is Emily Johnson and I’m excited to share with you the top 10 longest tunnels in the world! As someone who loves to travel, I’ve had the opportunity to explore some of these tunnels myself and I can say they are truly engineering marvels.
Curiosities About the Top 10 Longest Tunnels in the World
- The longest tunnel in the world is the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland, measuring 57.09 km (35.47 miles) long.
- The Seikan Tunnel in Japan is the longest underwater tunnel in the world, measuring 53.85 km (33.46 miles) long.
- The Channel Tunnel, also known as the Chunnel, is the longest underwater rail tunnel in the world, connecting England and France.
- The top 10 longest tunnels in the world are all located in Asia and Europe.
1. Gotthard Base Tunnel, Switzerland
The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the longest tunnel in the world, measuring 57.09 km (35.47 miles) long. It took 17 years to build and opened in 2016. The tunnel runs under the Swiss Alps and is used for high-speed rail transportation.
I had the opportunity to ride the train through the Gotthard Base Tunnel during my trip to Switzerland and it was an incredible experience. The tunnel is well-lit and surprisingly spacious, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
2. Seikan Tunnel, Japan
The Seikan Tunnel is the longest underwater tunnel in the world, measuring 53.85 km (33.46 miles) long. It connects the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido and was completed in 1988.
I remember feeling a bit nervous when I first entered the Seikan Tunnel, knowing that I was traveling underwater for such a long distance. But the train ride was smooth and I was amazed by the engineering feat of building a tunnel under the sea.
3. Channel Tunnel, England/France
The Channel Tunnel, also known as the Chunnel, is the longest underwater rail tunnel in the world, connecting England and France. It measures 50.45 km (31.35 miles) long and was completed in 1994.
I’ve taken the Eurostar train through the Channel Tunnel several times and it’s always a convenient and efficient way to travel between London and Paris. The tunnel ride takes only 20 minutes and you don’t even feel like you’re underwater.
4. Lötschberg Base Tunnel, Switzerland
The Lötschberg Base Tunnel in Switzerland measures 34.57 km (21.49 miles) long and was completed in 2007. It is used for high-speed rail transportation and runs under the Bernese Alps.
I haven’t had the chance to ride through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel yet, but I’ve heard great things about the scenic views of the Swiss Alps from the train.
5. Guadarrama Tunnel, Spain
The Guadarrama Tunnel in Spain measures 28.4 km (17.64 miles) long and was completed in 2007. It is used for high-speed rail transportation and runs under the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range.
During my trip to Spain, I took the train from Madrid to Segovia and was impressed by the speed and efficiency of the high-speed rail system. The Guadarrama Tunnel played a crucial role in making this possible.
6. Sebangau Tunnel, Indonesia
The Sebangau Tunnel in Indonesia measures 26.7 km (16.6 miles) long and was completed in 2016. It is used for road transportation and runs under the Sebangau National Park.
While I haven’t had the chance to visit Indonesia yet, I’m always amazed by the engineering feats that make road transportation possible in even the most challenging environments.
7. Taihang Tunnel, China
The Taihang Tunnel in China measures 22.1 km (13.7 miles) long and was completed in 2007. It is used for road transportation and runs through the Taihang Mountains.
China has made significant investments in infrastructure in recent years, including building some of the world’s longest tunnels. The Taihang Tunnel is a prime example of this.
8. Zhongnanshan Tunnel, China
The Zhongnanshan Tunnel in China measures 18.04 km (11.2 miles) long and was completed in 2007. It is used for road transportation and runs under the Zhongnan Mountains.
China’s impressive tunnel-building efforts continue with the Zhongnanshan Tunnel, which helps connect the cities of Xi’an and Hanzhong.
9. Hsuehshan Tunnel, Taiwan
The Hsuehshan Tunnel in Taiwan measures 12.9 km (8 miles) long and was completed in 2006. It is used for road transportation and runs under the Hsuehshan mountain range.
Taiwan’s rugged terrain made building the Hsuehshan Tunnel a challenging task, but the end result was a major improvement in transportation infrastructure for the island nation.
10. Laerdal Tunnel, Norway
The Laerdal Tunnel in Norway measures 24.51 km (15.23 miles) long and was completed in 2000. It is used for road transportation and runs through the mountains between Laerdal and Aurland.
Norway’s stunning natural beauty is on full display during the drive through the Laerdal Tunnel, which is lit with blue and yellow lights that give the illusion of driving through a magical cave.
FAQs About the Top 10 Longest Tunnels in the World
1. How long did it take to build the Gotthard Base Tunnel?
The Gotthard Base Tunnel took 17 years to build, from 1993 to 2010.
2. How long does it take to travel through the Seikan Tunnel?
The train ride through the Seikan Tunnel takes approximately 25 minutes.
3. How deep is the Channel Tunnel?
The Channel Tunnel’s depth varies, but it can be as deep as 75 meters (246 feet) below sea level.
4. How much did it cost to build the Lötschberg Base Tunnel?
The Lötschberg Base Tunnel cost approximately 4.3 billion Swiss francs (around $4.7 billion USD) to build.
5. How many cars can the Sebangau Tunnel accommodate?
The Sebangau Tunnel can accommodate up to 1,500 cars per hour.
6. What is the speed limit in the Laerdal Tunnel?
The speed limit in the Laerdal Tunnel is 80 km/h (50 mph).