Driving distance from Cinque to Milan

www.viamichelin.com is a great website you can check. Travel time will vary slightly depending on where you're staying in Cinque Terre, but Via Michelin says it's about 250km (150 miles) to Linate and takes about 3 hours. Based on past postings, you probably won't have a problem changing your drop-off location from Malpensa to Linate.

If you reserved your car through Autoeurope, you should have no problem switching drop-off locations. Where will you be parking your car while you're in the CT? I'm concerned about the drive to the Autostrada.

I hope you are aware that parking in the CT can be a serious problem. With few exceptions (one parking lot and a few private hotels), tourist cars are not permitted in the five towns. There are lots high above the towns but they fill up during the high season and they even occasionally close the roads into them. Be cautious.

I'm curious. Which airline changed your plans to this extent? I've had United change mine twice during the 9 months I had the reservation but it wasn't very serious. It was actually their partner Lufthansa that changed.

I have been to all five villages; I would not attempt to drive a car into the CT National Park.

Since I was there, the park requires a permit to enter.

Research the towns you may stay in to find a hotel with parking so you can leave your car there while you hike or visit the other villages by rail, which easy to do.

We were in the Cinque Terre, with a car, this past October. We had no trouble finding somewhere to park our car. I can't remember how long it took us to get to Milan, but it wasn't a terrifically long or difficult drive as I recall. The airport situation is a problem because Malpensa is a LONG way from Milan, but I am sure you can get the drop off location changed.

If by chance you decide to spend the night in Milan, park in one of the big garages outside of town and take the Metro in.