'It broke me': French tourist's 46-hour train ordeal in India goes viral, sparks debate

Victor Blaho travelled in various compartments including sleeper class and third AC across different trains, but according to him, none offered much relief.

In what was intended to be a celebration of India's vast and storied railway network, a French tourist's experience turned into a cautionary tale. Victor Blaho, a French YouTuber known for documenting his travels across India, went viral after sharing a harrowing account of a 46-hour train journey that he claimed left him “broken”.

The video, posted on his YouTube channel and titled “DO NOT Attempt a 46H Train Journey in India – It BROKE ME!”, chronicled a trip that began in Mumbai and included stops in Varanasi and Agra before concluding in Delhi. What was supposed to be an adventure quickly descended into an ordeal marked by discomfort, sleep deprivation, and encounters that left the traveller visibly distressed.

Blaho travelled in various compartments including sleeper class and third AC across different trains, but according to him, none offered much relief. “There’s noise, there’s dirt, and there’s constant chaos,” he said in the video, visibly exhausted. “I just want to go home.”

Throughout his journey, the YouTuber filmed crowded compartments packed with passengers occupying every inch of space, some speaking loudly throughout the night. He described being unable to sleep due to the noise and his fear of pests. At one point, he captured footage of a rat scurrying across the floor, followed shortly by a cockroach. “I couldn’t sleep. I was scared. And the smell was suffocating,” he said, showing images of garbage strewn across the coach floor.

One particularly uncomfortable moment came when a fellow passenger began engaging him in unwanted conversation and initiated video calls with others, insisting that Blaho speak with them. “He said he had a girlfriend in Mumbai and another in Delhi,” the Frenchman recounted. “And he made me talk to both.”

The video also included scenes where Blaho was approached by numerous passengers keen to take photos with him or strike up conversations. In one sequence, the same co-passenger returned with him to their seats and continued talking. When he was finally able to get away, Blaho recorded a video of himself saying, “It’s been three weeks in India. I want to go home now… I need peace, I need quiet, I need a clean bed.”

During another segment of the journey, he said he was unable to lie down due to hygiene concerns. “I mean, I can’t lay down. I saw a bug here. I’m not going to put my head here,” he said.

In an Instagram post, Blaho reiterated his distress. “46 hours on the lowest train classes across India… my main emotions? Despair & borderline insanity,” he wrote. “No, I don’t enjoy suffering—learn from my mistakes: if you’ve got the budget, book the highest class possible.”

The video has since gone viral and prompted mixed reactions from viewers. While some sympathised with his account, acknowledging the hardships of long-haul train travel in India, others accused him of overreacting or failing to appreciate the unique culture of Indian railways.

“Indian trains give all kinds of experiences – good and bad,” one commenter wrote. Another said, “This is the real India. You don’t come here for comfort.”

India operates one of the world’s largest rail networks, transporting lakhs of passengers daily. For many citizens, trains are a vital and affordable mode of transport. However, the experience varies drastically based on class of travel, route, and expectations.

Some travel veterans suggested that Blaho’s experience underscored the need for cleaner and more manageable travel conditions, especially on long-distance routes. Others argued that discomfort is a rite of passage for travellers in search of the “authentic” Indian experience.