First passenger train travels through Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel

After 17 years and 11 billion euros, the first Gotthard Base Tunnel passenger train departed Zurich on Sunday morning. The express train will save passengers 30 minutes on the trip.

The first passenger train to travel through the longest rail tunnel in the world departed Zurich Sunday morning, after 17 years of construction.

The 57-kilometer (35-mile) Gotthard Base Tunnel officially opened six months ago in a colorful ceremony attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

At 6:09 a.m. the EC11 express train to Lugano was the first regular passenger train to depart for the tunnel after thousands of test runs.

Some passengers shared their excitement ahead of the journey on social media.