Train journeys are often hailed as one of the most efficient and serene ways to travel, with tunnels playing a pivotal role in navigating through hills and mountains. However, there's one tunnel nestled in the Swiss Alps that takes a staggering 20 minutes to cross. The Gotthard Base Tunnel holds the global record for being the longest and deepest railway tunnel, spanning an impressive 35.
5 miles between the cantons of Uri and Ticino. This makes it incredibly handy for both tourists and locals aiming to reach popular spots on either side of the Alps. Specifically, the Gotthard Base Tunnel was engineered to slash the travel time from Zurich, Switzerland to Milan, Italy to just 2.
5 hours - a whole hour less than the conventional route. The concept for the Gotthard Base Tunnel was initially proposed in the late 1940s as a two-story base tunnel accommodating both trains and cars. It wasn't until 1992 that the Swiss electorate gave the green light to the idea.
Construction kicked off in November 1999 but due to the sale of the tunnel, it wasn't finished until 17 years later, officially opening its doors on June 1, 2016. The Gotthard Base Tunnel, currently ferrying a variety of goods including food, fuel, and construction materials across Europe, is a testament to engineering brilliance. Passenger and freight trains zip through this tunnel at remarkable speeds, with passenger trains typically hitting 125mph, according to the Express, reports Nottinghamshire Live .
If there's a delay.