Travel by train from Buffalo in upstate New York to downstate New York City, and you will experience the portion of the state called the Southern Tier. The Amtrak train service takes you through several major cities and magnificent eastern countryside. Enjoy a leisurely trip along the shores of Lake Ontario, through the Finger Lakes Region, down the Hudson Valley into New York City.

Find the Right Train From Buffalo to New York City

Take the Amtrak eastbound to New York City from either the Buffalo Exchange Street station downtown or the Depew station near the airport. Once in New York City, there are a number of train travel choices to make.

Book your final reservations based on which borough of New York City you wish to arrive in. Go to Penn Station for the west side of NYC and Grand Central Station for the east side.

Continue from Penn Station to Queens, Brooklyn and other Long Island communities by taking the Long Island Railroad (LIRR).

Book Your Train Travel From Buffalo to New York City

Book train reservations by either calling the Amtrak toll free number or online by going to their Web site (see Resources).

Reserve train travel on the LIRR through the online MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) Web site (see Resources).

Purchase a ticket at the Buffalo Exchange Street station from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Buffalo Depew station is open 24 hours a day.

Arrive at the Station

Arrive in New York City at either Penn Station or Grand Central Station, collect your baggage and keep moving. Do not linger in the train stations of the Big Apple, especially if you have never been there before or are by yourself.

Grab a map before you continue on the Long Island Railroad to make sure you are getting on the right train. The fee for an LIRR trip depends on the length of your ride.

Accept transportation from the New York City train stations only from legitimate taxi services. Do not accept rides from people who offer to call you a cab; it's a common NYC swindle.