Genoa-CT-Milan

You can use the trenitalia.com website to check out all of the train connections.

Into which port will you be arriving? Savona? Genoa? Trenitalia does have trains that run from Savona to the Genoa Piazza Principe train station which is one of two main stations with runs to the CT. A bit more information and we should have better answers.

Use www.trenitalia.com for timetable The main station is Genoa is GENOVA PORTA PRINCIPE. The station is actually within walking distance from the port (maybe 1 km if I recall) but I don't know what kind of luggage you carry. Maybe a short taxi ride would be worthwhile. The train ride to the Cinque Terre varies depending on the type of train but it can be less than one hour. The town at the 5 terre where you should stay is Monterosso. Monterosso is the largest of the 5 towns and has more trains stopping there, especially back to Milan. It also has a better beach, more accommodations and more shopping/restaurants. The travel time from Monterosso back to Milan is about 4 hours. Some train options require a change in Genoa or Levanto or Sestri. But if you can you should try to get a train from Monterosso to Milan with no change required. There are a few throughout the day.
I presume you fly back from Milan Malpensa (MXP). There is a Malpensa Express train that departs from Cadorna station (near the Sforza castle) and arrives at the airport in 30 min. It's the fastest option to Malpensa (which is 35 miles away). Taxis to Malpensa are expensive due to the long distance.

"We were in Milan several years ago, and at that time the only way to the airport was on a coach/bus. Is this still the case?" If the airport you want is Malpensa, then no. There is a train from Milano Cadorna station to Malpensa (twice an hour), and a separate train from Milano Centrale Station to Malpensa (twice an hour). There are also still the buses from Milano Centrale Station to Malpensa (four an hour, from two different companies that don't honor each other's tickets, so be sure you get the ticket for the bus leaving next). If, however, you want Linate airport, then yes, there is no train. There are buses from Milano Centrale Station, and cheaper ones from the San Babila Metro stop, not far from the center.

Thanks for the responses; I have what I need regarding the transportation.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'modest cost' but I recently got back from Italy. I stayed in Monterosso in the 5 Terre in Hotel La Spiaggia. It's an RS recommendation. It's about 50 yards walking from the train station (all flat, which is not easy to find in 5 Terre) and also includes breakfast. If you ask, they might give you a room with a balcony facing the beach. We did and we loved our view. Btw, on the train, make sure you are ready and waiting at the door with all your luggage when the train stops in Monterosso. We weren't. We didn't start getting our stuff together till the train stopped so we weren't able to get off the train! We had to get off at the next stop, Levanto, and double back. It added an hour to our journey since we had to wait awhile for that train. Also, check the Trenitalia site for impending strikes. We didn't know to do this either and we got stuck at 10 at night in Lucca trying to figure put how to get back to Florence. In Milan, we stayed at Hotel Gran Duca di York, another RS recommendation. Great location, walking distance to Duomo. As for transportation in Milan, can't really help. I was travelling in a group of four so we just used taxis, even to get to Malpensa airport. It may have cost a bit more but it was worth it for the convenience.

Jon, in Milan a couple of years ago we enjoyed the Hotel Berna, a couple of blocks from the Main Train Station. Lovely breakfast and staff. Lots of small hotels in those few blocks, but we would return there. http://www.hotelberna.com/en/hotel

Jon, you asked about a hotel convenient to the airport in Milano, which I assume means Malpensa Airport. For the night before your flight, especially an early morning flight like mine was, I stayed a few days ago at the First Hotel Malpensa, which I would highly recommend for a clean, spacious and well-equipped room; affordable rates; quick and easy shuttle to and from the airport terminals. It is NOT however very convenient to doing things in Milano itself, about an hour and 10 or 11 euros between the airport and downtown.
I'll also mention that I was flying out on Lufthansa, to Munich connecting to the States, at 8:50 AM. I was advised to check in two hours early, which meant I took the hotel shuttle at 6:30 AM, missing breakfast which started at 6:30 AM. Turns out I was the first and only one checking in that early, so it took about 3 minutes, and I had 2 hours to kill at the airport, even before the restaurants and shops had opened, other than a coffee bar. At least on that day, I easily could have relaxed over breakfast and taken a later shuttle.

Jon,

Regarding a hotel in Milan that's convenient to the airport, it would help to know what time your flight departs? Unless you have a very early flight, I'd suggest staying in Milan and then travelling to the airport in the morning. I've used that method in the past without any problems.

Do you still require information on hotels in the Cinque Terre and Milan? If so it would be a big help if you could clarify your criteria for "modest cost lodging". You might check your local Library to see if they have a copy of the RS Italy Guidebook, as there are lots of good, reliable accommodations listed there.

Regarding staying one day in Genoa, my suggestion would be to go directly to the Cinque Terre as that will be a much nicer place to spend the time (IMO). I always stay in Monterosso these days, so that would be my suggestion for a "home base" to tour that area.

Cheers!