A UK-based travel blogger’s first-class ride on the Mumbai–Goa Vande Bharat Express has gone viral, showcasing not just the comfort and modern amenities of Indian Railways’ flagship train, but also the lush monsoon beauty of the Konkan Railway route.
Charlie Burness, who runs the Instagram page @burnessietravels, described the eight-hour journey as “hands down the most space I’ve ever had on a train,” praising everything from swivelling seats and scenic views to the complimentary breakfast and flowers offered onboard. Her short video has sparked admiration across Indian social media for its candid appreciation of India’s evolving rail experience. Burness, who paid around £31.57 for a first-class ticket to Madgaon, admitted it was expensive by local standards but well worth it for the hospitality and comfort. The train journey became particularly memorable for the rotating seats, which allowed her to turn towards panoramic windows revealing rain-soaked palm groves and forested hills.
Her journey came during the monsoon season, often avoided by tourists due to delays, but she insisted the views during this period were unmatched. While she initially hoped to travel in the Vista Dome coach, unavailability of tickets made the Vande Bharat a “perfect consolation prize”. Online, the response to her video has been overwhelmingly positive, with many Indians thanking her for breaking stereotypes and showcasing a graceful and modern India. One viewer commented, “Thank you for not fitting India into the usual chaotic narrative.”
India’s Vande Bharat trains, designed for semi-high-speed, all-AC travel, are often seen as symbols of the country’s push to modernise railways. For Charlie, it became a warm encounter with a different India—one of comfort, beauty, and hospitality.
