Public Opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel (Uri/Ticino)

This will not be just any other weekend in Switzerland.

In fact, it will be a legendary one, with the grand opening celebration of the Gotthard Base Tunnel – the longest rail tunnel in the world at 57 km. The imposing project, symbolizing Swiss values such as innovation, precision and reliability, will be there to stay for generations further on.
 

This June 4 and 5, you can be a part of history at the important and long awaited moment of the tunnel’s opening.

The official opening takes place on Wednesday, June 1, with media and around 1000 guests invited. During the following weekend of June 4 and 5, a unique festival program awaits everyone at different places around the tunnel entrances. You can sweep through the tunnel for the first time with a shuttle train, reaching up to 200 km/h, see presentations of Swiss artists and visit the multimedia exhibition on the Gotthard.

Swiss rail will provide special event trains during the weekend. Just a word of caution, though: Be prepared for busy and full trains on the way to the event happenings.

There is a special ticket which gives you a 30% discount off your train journey from your home town to the festival sites. It also includes the Gottardo shuttle train, which brings you from one festival venue to another (simply select “Gotthard public event” and pick your date).

If you feel like celebrating the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel a bit closer to home, there will be several train station festivals around Switzerland.

(Photographs copyright Gottardo 2016)