Want to visit a New York aerie the easy way? Take the train.

Fully half of New York State’s 26 aeries are easy to visit via the Maple Leaf, the CN Rail/Amtrak route from Toronto to New York City that leaves Toronto’s Union Station at 8:20 every morning. Union Station itself is only a short distance from Toronto Aerie 2311.

The table below shows 13 New York aeries with the stations closest to them, the cab ride time and distance to the aerie from the train station, and the same-day arrival time if you took a cab immediately on arrival. Even including the two-hour stopover at the border, every trip is all-daylight, arriving at the latest by 7:00 pm.

Why the train? First, the cost is low enough to rival the cost of driving (even if you have no car trouble). Return fare ranges from $99 to Buffalo to $206 to Albany-Rensselaer for a senior’s coach seat.

You can take your own food and beverages to eat on the way. You can sleep, read, listen to music, walk around or enjoy some pretty spectacular scenery.

Luggage is another factor. You can take two carry-on bags of up to 50 lbs each plus a purse or small personal bag, plenty if you plan on some cross-border shopping.