For many, train journeys are some of the most efficient and relaxing ways to get to their desired destination, helped no end by the tunnels that allow them to cut straight through hills and mountains.

       Whilst there are more than a thousand rail tunnels in the UK, the majority can be travelled through in a matter of seconds. However, one tunnel in the Swiss Alps takes a staggering 20 minutes to complete.

       The Gotthard Base Tunnel currently holds the world record for being the world's longest and deepest railway tunnel, spanning the 35.5-mile distance between the cantons of Uri and Ticino.

       As a result, the tunnel is particularly useful for tourists and residents alike who want to reach a number of popular destinations either side of the Alps.

       In particular, the Gotthard Base Tunnel was designed to cut the time required to travel from Zurich, Switzerland to Milan, Italy in 2.5 hours - 60 minutes less than it would typically take on the conventional route.

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       The Gotthard Base Tunnel was first proposed in the late 1940s as a two-story base tunnel that could be used by both trains and cars. However, it was not until 1992 when Swiss voters gave approval to the idea.

       Work began in November 1999 but, due to the sale of the tunnel, was not completed until 17 years later, being opened on June 1 2016.

       Today, the Gotthard Base Tunnel is used to transport a wide range of goods, including passengers and freight trains transporting goods including necessities such as food, fuel, and construction materials all over Europe.

       Whilst the Gotthard Base Tunnel is a particular feat of engineering that takes around 20 minutes to complete, the trains that use it can also travel at particularly high speeds. Passenger trains typically travel through the tunnel at 125mph, however if a journey has been delayed, the speed can increase by 30mph to a staggering 155mph.

       Despite being around 45mph slower than the Japanese bullet trains and the TGV in France, it is still particularly quick for a single-track railway.

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       Despite being the world's longest train tunnel, there are a number of alternatives to the Gotthard Base Tunnel that help passengers get to their destinations at a much faster rate.

       The Seikan Tunnel in the Tsugaru Strait of Japan was the previous world record holder, gaining the title when the 33.5-mile-long construction project was completed in 1988.

       The Channel Tunnel that connects the UK to France is also a particularly long railway tunnel, with the three tubes each covering a 31.3-mile distance.