Top 10 Longest Tunnels in the World

Which is the longest tunnel in Asia?

The Zojila Tunnel is Asia’s longest road tunnel, measuring 14.5 kilometers long. The tunnel will connect the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and provide year-round connectivity between Srinagar and Leh.

Which country has most tunnels?

China has the most tunnels in the world, with 16,229. Japan has the second-most tunnels, with 10,922.

Which is the world’s longest tunnel above 10000 feet?

The Atal Tunnel, also known as the Rohtang Tunnel, is the world’s longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet. It is located in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Which is the longest underwater tunnel in the world?

The Seikan Tunnel in Japan is the world’s longest undersea tunnel by overall length, at 53.9 kilometers.

Which is the longest rail tunnel in the world?

The Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland is the world’s longest railway tunnel, at 57.09 kilometers (35.5 miles) long.

Which is the longest road tunnel in the world?

The Lærdal Tunnel, also known as Lærdalstunnelen, is the longest road tunnel in the world at 24.5 km (15.23 miles) long. It connects the municipalities of Lærdal and Aurland in Vestland county, Norway.

What is the longest tunnel in the world as of 2024?

The Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland holds the title for the longest tunnel, primarily used for railway transport.

Which country has the most tunnels in the top 10 list?

Switzerland has multiple entries in the top 10 list, known for its extensive use of tunnels to navigate the Alps.

Are there any underwater tunnels in the top 10 longest tunnels?

Yes, the Seikan Tunnel in Japan is one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world, serving both railway and freight purposes.

What is the longest road tunnel in the world?

The Lærdal Tunnel in Norway is the longest road tunnel, stretching over 24 kilometers.

Which is the longest railway tunnel in the world?

The Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland is also the longest railway tunnel, facilitating high-speed train travel.

How many of the top 10 longest tunnels are used for transportation?

All of the top 10 longest tunnels are used for transportation, including railway, road, and mixed-use purposes.

What are the engineering challenges in building long tunnels?

Major challenges include geological issues, ventilation, safety measures, and environmental impact.

Are there any new tunnels that might enter the top 10 list soon?

Ongoing and planned projects, like the Brenner Base Tunnel between Austria and Italy, may soon enter the top 10 list upon completion.

What role do these long tunnels play in global infrastructure?

These tunnels significantly contribute to global infrastructure by enhancing connectivity, reducing travel time, and facilitating trade.

Which continent has the highest number of long tunnels?

Europe, particularly due to its mountainous regions requiring tunnels for efficient transportation.



Longest Tunnels in the World

The top 10 Longest Tunnels in the World are Delaware Aqueduct, Paijanne Water Tunnel, Dahuofang Water Tunnel, Orange–Fish River Tunnel, Bolmen Water Tunnel, Chengdu Metro Line 6, Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Tunnel, Emisor Oriente Tunnel, Qingdao Metro Line 1, Guangzhou Metro Line 18.

The Delaware Aqueduct is the world’s longest tunnel, measuring 85 miles long and 13.5 feet wide followed by the Paijanne Water Tunnel (74.565 m) and the Dahuofang Water Tunnel (53.015 mi) in Finland and China respectively.

In this article, we will look into the top 10 longest tunnels in the World. We will also discuss the location, type, and features of these longest tunnels.

Table of Content

  • List of Top 10 Longest Tunnels in the World
  • Longest Tunnel in the World – Delaware Aqueduct (United States)
  • Second Longest Tunnel in the World – Paijanne Water Tunnel (Finland)
  • Third Longest Tunnel in the World – Dahuofang Water Tunnel (China)
  • Fourth Longest Tunnel in the World – Orange–Fish River Tunnel (South Africa)
  • Fifth Longest Tunnel in the World – Bolmen Water Tunnel (Sweden)
  • Sixth Longest Tunnel in the World – Chengdu Metro Line 6 (China)
  • Seventh Longest Tunnel in the World – Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Tunnel (Pakistan)
  • Eighth Longest Tunnel in the World – Emisor Oriente Tunnel (Mexico)
  • Ninth Longest Tunnel in the World – Qingdao Metro Line 1 (China)
  • Tenth Longest Tunnel in the World – Guangzhou Metro Line 18(China)
  • Key Points based Longest Tunnels in the World

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List of Top 10 Longest Tunnels in the World

The following table lists the World’s longest tunnels in the world....

Longest Tunnel in the World – Delaware Aqueduct (United States)

The Delaware Aqueduct is a 137-kilometer (85-mile) tunnel that carries about half of New York City’s water supply. The aqueduct was constructed between 1939 and 1945, and carries around 1.3 billion US gallons of water per day....

Second Longest Tunnel in the World – Paijanne Water Tunnel (Finland)

Paijanne Water Tunnel is the second longest tunnel in the world. It is a 120-kilometer long water tunnel in Southern Finland and runs 30–100 meters below the bedrock. The tunnel was constructed between 1973 and 1982 to transport water from Lake Päijänne to the Helsinki metropolitan area. The main purpose of the tunnel is to provide fresh water to the people in the Helsinki metropolitan area....

Third Longest Tunnel in the World – Dahuofang Water Tunnel (China)

Dahuofang Water Tunnel is the third longest tunnel in the world located in the Liaoning region of China. The total length of the tunnel is 85.3 km (53 mi) with a diameter of eight meter. Around 60 km (37 mi) of the tunnel is being built by using tunnel boring machines (TBM)....

Fourth Longest Tunnel in the World – Orange–Fish River Tunnel (South Africa)

The Orange–Fish River Tunnel is the fourth longest tunnel in the world located inn the central South Africa. The tunnel is the longest continuous enclosed aqueduct in the southern hemisphere and the second-longest water supply tunnel in the world. It was built between 1966 and 1975 to divert water from the Orange River to the Fish River valley....

Fifth Longest Tunnel in the World – Bolmen Water Tunnel (Sweden)

Bolmen Water Tunnel is the world’s fifth longest tunnel located in the Kronoberg/Scania province of Sweden. It is a 51-mile (82 km) long water supply tunnel that provides drinking water to about 700,000 people. It was built between the 1970s and 1980s to meet the water supply demand of the growing population of the Sweden....

Sixth Longest Tunnel in the World – Chengdu Metro Line 6 (China)

Chengdu Metro Line 6 is a rapid transit line in Chengdu and is the sixth longest tunnel in the world. It is the second longest metro line in Chengdu and the longest non-branching line in China. Chengdu Metro Line 6 is a 68.223 km (42.4 mi)long rapid transit line that runs from Wangcong Temple to Lanjiagou....

Seventh Longest Tunnel in the World – Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Tunnel (Pakistan)

The Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Tunnel is a 32.5 kilometer long tunnel system located in the Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The main purpose of the tunnel is to divert the Neelum River water to a power station on the Jhelum River. The tunnel passes 380 m (1,247 ft) below the Jhelum River and through its bend. The tunnel system is made up of single and twin circular and horseshoe-shaped tunnels....

Eighth Longest Tunnel in the World – Emisor Oriente Tunnel (Mexico)

Emisor Oriente Tunnel is the eight longest tunnel in the world located in the Mexico City, Mexico. It is a 62.1 kilometer long wastewater treatment tunnel and is also known as the Eastern Discharge Tunnel, Eastern Wastewater Tunnel, and East Issuing Tunnel. The tunnel was constructed between 2008 and 2019 and runs at a maximum depth of 200 meters (656 Feet) below ground level....

Ninth Longest Tunnel in the World – Qingdao Metro Line 1 (China)

Qingdao Metro Line 1 is an underground metro line that runs north-south from the North Railway Station to Dongguozhuang. It is the ninth longest tunnel in the world. It is a rapid transit system that crosses Jiaozhou Bay between Fenghuangdao and Tuandao stations. It started it operation in 2020 and has 41 stations....

Tenth Longest Tunnel in the World – Guangzhou Metro Line 18(China)

Guangzhou Metro Line 18 is the world’s tenth largest tunnel in the world. It is a 61.3 km (38.1 mi) express line that runs from Wanqingsha in the Nansha District to Guangzhou East Railway Station. The total tunneling distance is 2,525 meters....

Key Points based Longest Tunnels in the World

Longest railway tunnels in the world:...

Summary – Top 10 Longest Tunnels in the World

The world’s 10 longest tunnels cover various purposes and locations. The Delaware Aqueduct serves as a water supply tunnel, while the Paijanne Water Tunnel in Finland plays a crucial role in water distribution. China boasts two significant tunnels on the list: the Chengdu Metro Line 6 and the Qingdao Metro Line 1, both facilitating urban transportation. Meanwhile, the Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Tunnel in Pakistan contributes to power generation. Emisor Oriente Tunnel in Mexico addresses wastewater management, emphasizing environmental concerns. Guangzhou Metro Line 18 in China completes the list, showcasing the global importance of tunnels in diverse fields, from water management to transportation and infrastructure development....

FAQs – Top 10 Longest Tunnels in the World

Which is the longest tunnel in Asia?...