Swiss railway train traveling between Preda and Bergün by Hansueli Krapf via Wikimedia Commons

VIA Rail Canada

• VIA has settled into an ongoing pattern, with very few changes foreseen.
• The usual VIA discount approach is through its longstanding Discount Tuesday program. Recently, however, discounts have been underwhelming, usually 15% off regular coach fares on a few routes. I have not seen any recent deals on the popular transcontinental sleeper service.

Europe and Asia

• The light rail tram in Bordeaux has opened an extension to the airport. Trips to the city center take about 35 minutes.
• Rail Europe’ s extra days on Swiss Travel pass promotion—one day on any 4-day pass or two days on any 8-day pass—expires May 14. Eurail has no current promotions.
• Strikes continue to plague European rail and air services. If you are headed there, check the status.
• The Turkish railway has opened a new high-speed line inking Ankara with Sivas. The 250-mile (400 km) extension runs east from Ankara into a part of central Turkey that few visitors reach, but it is a great benefit for locals.

— Ed Perkins, editor

See our Amtrak news and discounts bulletin for domestic rail news.

For more travel tips from Ed Perkins, see our companion site Ed on Travel.