
New Delhi, December 27, 2025: A candid and eye-opening perspective on long-distance travel in India has been shared by a Kenyan solo backpacker, sparking a massive debate on social media this December 2025. In a viral video posted by the traveler, known as Vin Soul, the realities of a 30-hour journey in an unreserved general compartment were documented. The footage, which has been described by many as a “survival guide” for the brave, highlights the extreme congestion and lack of personal space that often define the budget travel experience on one of the world’s largest railway networks.
The most talked-about moment in the clip features an unusual display of proximity that left international viewers stunned. Due to the complete absence of floor space or seating, a local male passenger was observed resting his head comfortably on Vin Soul’s thigh while the vlogger was perched on an upper berth.
The scene was captioned by Soul with a touch of weary humor: “Travelling for over 30 hours on an Indian General train is not for the weak. Babysitting a grown man.” Despite the invasive nature of the situation, the vlogger was seen silently enduring the discomfort, reflecting a level of patience that has been both praised and questioned by netizens.
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The video has triggered a wave of polarizing reactions across Instagram and X. It was argued by many Indian users that such experiences are a standard, albeit unfortunate, part of traveling in the “General Class” hierarchy, where personal boundaries are often sacrificed for the sake of fitting everyone on board.
As the year 2025 draws to a close, this viral moment has become a case study for the “unfiltered” side of travel vlogging. While many creators focus on the luxury of the Vande Bharat or First-Class cabins, Vin Soul’s journey has been lauded for showing the “raw and gritty” reality faced by millions of daily commuters. It is being argued by travel analysts that such content serves as a vital reality check for foreign tourists who may not fully understand the complexities of India’s multi-tiered transport system.