List of Top 10 Longest Rail Tunnels in the World

Did you know that the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland is the longest railway tunnel in the world and is deeper than any other tunnel, reaching 2.3 kilometers (1.4 miles) below the surface?

This engineering marvel stretches 57.1 kilometers (35.5 miles) through the majestic Swiss Alps, making travel faster and smoother for millions of passengers and cargo every year.

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Rail tunnels like these are more than just shortcuts, they represent human innovation and determination to connect the world.

Around the world, some rail tunnels stretch for tens of kilometers through challenging terrain, connecting cities and countries. In this article, we will look at the top 10 longest railway tunnels in the world.

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List of the longest railway tunnels in the world

The world’s ten longest railway tunnels highlight the incredible engineering achievements that transformed modern transportation, Railway Technology reports. The list includes:

rank	Tunnel name	Place	Length (km)	year of opening
1	Gotthard Base Tunnel	Switzerland	57.1	2016
2	Seikan Tunnel	Japan	53.85	1988
3	channel tunnel	France/UK	50.5	1994
4	Yulhyeon Tunnel	South Korea	50.3	2016
5	Songshan Lake Tunnel	China	38.82	2017
6	Lerkey Mountain Base Tunnel	Switzerland	34.6	2007
7	New Guan Kok Tunnel	China	32.7	2014
8	Guadarrama Tunnel	Spain	28.4	2007
9	West Qinling Tunnel	China	28.2	2016
10	Taihang Tunnel	China	27.8	2007

Source: Railway Technology

1. Gotthard Base Tunnel, Switzerland (57.1 km)

The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the world’s longest railway tunnel, 57.1 kilometers (35.5 miles) long, located beneath the Gotthard Massif in Switzerland.

Opened in June 2016, it is an important transportation hub between northern and southern Europe, facilitating high-speed rail travel and heavy freight.

The tunnel consists of two parallel monorail tubes connecting Estfeld in the canton of Uri with Bodio in the canton of Ticino.

It is part of the New Rail Link Through the Alps (NRLA) project, which aims to increase rail capacity and shift freight from road to rail to reduce environmental impact.

With a maximum depth of 2,450 meters (8,040 feet), it is not only the longest and deepest railway tunnel in the world.

Construction lasted 17 years, removed 28.2 million tons of rock, and demonstrated significant advancements in tunneling technology.

2. Seikan Tunnel, Japan (53.9 kilometers)

The Seikan Tunnel, located in Japan, is the second longest railway tunnel in the world, extending 53.85 kilometers (33.5 miles) under the Tsugaru Strait. It is one of the longest and deepest railway tunnels in Asia.

Completed in 1988, this engineering marvel connects Honshu and Hokkaido, enabling uninterrupted rail service even in adverse weather conditions.

The tunnel was built to ensure safe transportation in areas prone to typhoons and heavy snowfall.

With a maximum depth of 240 meters (790 feet) below sea level, it is one of the deepest tunnels in the world. The Seikan Tunnel can accommodate passenger and freight trains, significantly reducing travel time between the two islands.

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Due to the challenging underwater conditions, its construction took more than 17 years and involved extensive geological research. The tunnel also includes a ventilation shaft that allows for air circulation and emergency access. It also includes two stations located inside the tunnel, Longfei Haitei and Yoshioka Haitei.

3. Channel Tunnel, France/UK (50.5km)

The Channel Tunnel, often referred to as “The Tunnel,” is a remarkable feat of engineering that connects England and France beneath the English Channel.

The line, which is 50.45 kilometers (31.4 miles) long and opened in 1994, is an important transportation hub for passengers and freight between the two countries. The tunnel consists of three parallel tunnels: two for rail traffic and one for service and emergency purposes.

It allows Eurostar passenger trains to travel at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour (99 mph), significantly reducing journey times between London and Paris or Brussels.

The Channel Tunnel was built using advanced tunneling technology, including boring machines that excavated through the chalky marl of the seafloor.

Its completion transformed cross-Channel travel, providing an efficient alternative to ferries or flights while strengthening economic links between the UK and mainland Europe.

4. Yulhyeon Tunnel, South Korea (50.3 kilometers)

The Yulhyeon Tunnel is a famous underground structure in South Korea and is mainly used for research purposes related to geological research and earthquake safety assessment.

The tunnel, which is approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) long, is a testing ground for various engineering projects focused on improving the ability of infrastructure to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes.

Opened in 2016, it represents a major investment in understanding the geological phenomena affecting South Korea’s urban areas.

The Yulhyeon Tunnel is equipped with an advanced monitoring system that collects data on ground movements, vibrations and environmental changes, providing valuable insights for geotechnical engineering practices.

Researchers use the facility to develop better building techniques to withstand seismic activity, ultimately improving public safety in densely populated areas.

5. Songshan Lake Tunnel, China (38.8 km)

The Songshan Lake Tunnel is an impressive railway tunnel in China, approximately 38 kilometers (23.6 miles) long.

Opened in 2017, the tunnel plays a vital role in connecting various regions in Guangdong Province and promoting efficient passenger and freight services. It is part of a wider network aimed at improving rail connectivity in southern China.

The Songshan Lake Tunnel uses modern engineering design to improve safety and operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact during the construction and operational phases.

Its strategic location not only reduces travel times but also supports economic development by connecting major urban centers and industrial areas, thereby promoting regional growth.

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6. Lötschberg Base Tunnel, Switzerland (34.6 km)

The Lötschberg Base Tunnel is an important railway tunnel in Switzerland, approximately 34.6 kilometers (21.5 miles) long.

It opened in 2007 and, together with the Gotthard Base Tunnel, forms part of the New Rail Link Through the Alps (NRLA) project.

The tunnel connects Frutigen in the Bernese Oberland and Laron in Canton Valais, providing a flat route through the Alps and increasing the efficiency of rail transport between northern and southern Europe.

Featuring two monorail tubes, the Lötschberg Base Tunnel is designed to accommodate high-speed passenger trains and heavy freight traffic, significantly reducing travel times through the mountainous area.

Its construction used advanced tunneling technology and required careful consideration of geological conditions to ensure safety and stability throughout its length.

7. Xinguanjiao Tunnel, China (32.7 km)

The Xinguanjiao Tunnel is a famous railway tunnel in China, with a total length of approximately 29 kilometers (18 miles).

The tunnel was recently opened as part of China’s efforts to strengthen railway infrastructure, significantly improving connectivity in key areas by providing faster train services in challenging mountainous areas.

The New Guanjiao Tunnel incorporates modern engineering practices designed to optimize safety and operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact during the construction phase.

The infrastructure project demonstrates China’s commitment to developing an extensive high-speed rail network to support economic growth by effectively connecting major cities with rural areas.

8. Guadarrama Tunnel, Spain (28.4 km)

The Guadarrama Tunnel is located in Spain and is approximately 28 kilometers (17 miles) long and plays a vital role in connecting Madrid to other major cities via high-speed rail services.

Opened in 2007, it is part of Spain’s AVE network and traverses the Guadarrama Mountains while ensuring minimal damage to the surrounding ecosystem during the construction phase.

This engineering marvel uses advanced tunneling technology to enhance safety protocols for passenger and freight trains traveling at high speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph).

The Guadarrama Tunnel significantly reduces travel times between Madrid and other major destinations, while boosting regional economic development by improving traffic conditions. There is also an emergency room in the middle of the tunnel, which can accommodate up to 1,200 people.

9. West Qinling Tunnel, China (28.2 km)

The West Qinling Tunnel is an important railway tunnel in China, with a total length of approximately 28 kilometers (17 miles).

The tunnel was recently opened as part of China’s railway network expansion plan, enhancing connectivity in the mountainous region by facilitating efficient passenger and freight services between Shaanxi Province and other major cities.

Its construction uses state-of-the-art tunneling technology and is designed to ensure safety while minimizing environmental impact throughout the development phase.

The West Qinling Tunnel represents China’s commitment to modernizing its transportation infrastructure while promoting economic growth by improving access to remote areas.

10. China Taihang Tunnel (27.8 kilometers)

Located within China’s vast railway system, the Taihang Tunnel is approximately 27 kilometers (16 miles) long and is a key link between various regions, crossing challenging terrain characterized by steep hillsides.

The recently completed tunnel is part of ongoing infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing the country’s connectivity through high-speed rail services, speeding up transit times for passengers and freight at competitive speeds in excess of 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph).

The Taihang Tunnel utilizes advanced engineering techniques designed to optimize operational efficiency while ensuring safety standards are maintained throughout the tunnel during the construction phase and daily operations.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
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