Professor Lidenbrock - He is the eldest on the journey.

He is very adventurous, and it was his

decision to undertake the journey. The Professor shows great optimism and
determination throughout the journey, and rarely accepts defeat. He uses the fact that Arne
Saknussem claimed to have reached the center of the earth as a means to continue the
journey despite how long it would take him or if they would have enough food to
last. However, he has a fairly large ego. The only times he admits that he is wrong are when
he chooses to wrong tunnel to enter in the beginning and his decision to cross the large body
of water they encounter. He often looks to disprove theories of many famous philosophers
so that he doesn't look wrong. Some of the theories were disproved, but many times the
Professor was wrong.

Axel - Also known as Harry, he is the narrator of the novel. This nephew of the Professor is a
lot more pragmatic than his uncle. He often sticks to the theories of philosophers, and is the
quickest to suggest that they ascend back to the surface when something goes
wrong. Sometimes it hurts the journey when he is not as optimistic as his uncle, but he is
more practical and uses a little more common sense.

Hans - Hans, an eider-gatherer from Iceland, does the most labor for the crew. He is a very
strong and hard worker, so he often carries things that Axel and the Professor are not fit
enough to. Hans is very indifferent, and rarely shows emotion or states an opinion on an
issue. He is very loyal, but only as long as he is paid money. He stated before the journey
that he would go as far as the Professor's scientific expeditions would take him, but he would
leave immediately if he did not receive his money on Saturday, his payday. He will do
whatever the Professor, his "Master", will tell him because that is who pays him.

Gretchen - She is Axel's cousin and fiancé. She makes very few appearances in this book, but
is often mentioned by the narrator, Axel. Seeing her again is one of Axel's motives to survive
when the journey gets challenging.