A travel video by Vancouver-based influencer Raychel Reimer-Hurley has struck a chord online, applauding Indian Railways for offering an authentic, affordable, and cultural travel experience. Her journey spanned three train rides across India and has rapidly become viral, with viewers praising her candid observations and travel tips.
Reimer-Hurley begins her video announcing a 5 a.m. station arrival, trying to find Platform 7 amid a bustling crowd. She captures scenes of passengers sleeping on station floors, vendors hustling through platforms, and some commuters boarding moving trains—she describes these as “uniquely Indian” travel moments.
Boarding her AC 3-Tier coach, she expresses surprise at the comfort offered, mentioning the blanket and a brown paper bag with basic bedding essentials she received on her journey. Over seven hours, she enjoys a simple vegetarian meal and snacks sold by vendors walking through the aisles.
The fare, she reports, was around US$ 12, roughly ₹1,000, for the full seven-hour ride. At that cost level, she calls train travel in India “an experience like no other,” emphasizing that while the price is modest, the journey delivers much more than just movement from one place to another. It offers a window into everyday Indian life.
Also in her video are practical travel tips for first-time rail travellers in India. She advises booking well ahead—especially during festival season—given the popularity of trains. She recommends choosing seats in AC classes for better comfort, keeping personal belongings secure, and arriving at stations early. Other advice includes being flexible about delays and platform changes, carrying essentials like toilet paper, and choosing lower side berths for better views as you roll through towns, villages, countryside.
The video has been viewed by over one lakh people, and virtually all reactions have been positive. Viewers both from India and abroad have appreciated the detailed insights and the warmth in her portrayal. Many say it has inspired them to consider rail travel for themselves.
Reimer-Hurley’s reflection underscores how Indian Railways can offer more than just transportation—it can weave together stories of routine life and scenic beauty. In an age of flights and fast travel, her perspective reminds many that slower, cheaper, and culturally immersive options often leave the deepest impressions.