Travelling by Indian Railways is equally charming and chaotic. Sometimes the trains run late and the washrooms are not always spotless – even in a 2AC coach. But there is an undeniable warmth in it all – from the steady rhythm of the wheels to the ever-changing landscapes outside the window, and of course, the familiar calls of vendors selling inexpensive snacks and beverages. Not long ago, a travel vlogger perfectly captured this contrast on a European train.
He shared a video on Instagram, expressing his shock at buying a €5 (approximately Rs 500) water bottle. The clip captured the man opening the bottle cap when his wife asked, “Phirse batana, paani ki bottle kitne ki thi? (Tell me again, how much did the water bottle cost?)” To this, the man replied, “Yeh meri life ka sabse mehenga paani hai. (This is the most expensive water bottle of my life).”
The vlogger turned nostalgic as he recalled how vendors on Indian trains sell water bottles for as little as ₹10 or ₹20. In contrast, European trains are completely vendor-free.
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He further mentioned that he and his wife had been sitting on the train for four hours without water or food. After a while, they discovered a bogie equipped with a restaurant from where they purchased the water bottle. To his surprise, the man found that the cost of just the glass bottle was €0.5 (Rs 50), which was refundable. “So now I'll drink the water and return the bottle," he joked, highlighting how pricey it was.
The relatable caption read, “India ki trains ki yaad aa gayi. Koi popcorn bechne bhi nahi aaya. (I was reminded of Indian trains – not even a single person came by selling popcorn.)”
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The internet wasted no time reacting to the video.
“A similar glass bottle cost 9 Euros in Amsterdam,” shared one user.
Another hailed “IRCTC supremacy.”
“The more I travelled in Europe, the more I started respecting all the conveniences that India offers for tourists,” admitted another.
“You can fill your own bottle with tap water from any tap in Europe. Tap water is drinkable,” suggested one person.
“Hygiene bhi miss kiya hoga? (Perhaps you missed the hygiene, too?)” asked someone else, pointing out how Indian trains do not always maintain cleanliness.
What are your thoughts on this? Tell us in the comments section.
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