Milan to Cinque Terre (in car)

You don't need/want a car for a big city like Genoa; it's easy by train. www.viamichelin.com can help you identify more scenic or "discovery" driving routes. One possibility is to drive via Piacenza or Parma, then turn toward the coast through the natural park area.

Renting a car to go to the Cinque Terre is a waste of money and time.

From Milan Centrale there is a direct train (no changes) to Monterosso every 2 hours (even more frequently if you are willing to change trains in Genoa or Sestri). Even if you pay full fare it's only €26 per person and the train trip is less than 3hrs (plus 45 min. from the airport to the Milan Central Station), which is just as fast as the car.

A rental car in Italy is €30 to €40 per day (for a small economy) plus about €50 for gas and freeway tolls just to get to the Cinque Terre. Then there is the problem of parking (both scarce and expensive) at the Cinque Terre (where you won't need the car at all and it will stay parked the whole time).
If you rent a car, it should be to visit other places, not to drive to the Ligurian Riviera, where the train is the better mode of transport.

stina,

As you plan on driving in Italy, don't forget the compulsory I.D.P. required by each driver, and you'll also need to be vigilant to avoid the dreaded ZTL areas (ie: hefty fines!). There are also some potentially expensive "caveats" to be aware of when travelling by train, but that will be a quicker and more efficient mode of transport. If you need information on using public transit in Italy, post another note.

I've never considered Genova particularly "interesting", but I suppose it has its charms.

Happy travels!

Thanks for all the replies! I definitely will be looking into the I.D.P. and will be reconsidering renting a car for this portion of our trip. Maybe a car during our stay in the Tuscany region will be more useful.

That is a good idea. If you go to Tuscany immediately after the Cinque Terre, rent a car in La Spezia, just minutes from the Cinque Terre by train.
Remember that Tuscany includes also big cities, such as Florence, where a car is a hassle. Just use the car to visit the Tuscan villages and countryside, then if you want to see Florence, return the car as soon as you arrive in a Florence.

That's a good idea Roberto! I'm thinking a quick pic and maybe lunch in Pisa would be good. Again, thanks for all your advice. These forums have great people woth awesome recommendations!

Roberto gives some great advice on here.

Also if you want to see Genoa, you can always skip the direct train to Monterosso and go from Milan to Genoa on train. (I don't know if there is luggage storage in Genoa train station). Explore Genoa for a couple hours. Then take a train from Genoa to C.T area.

Hi Robert,
Do you know of a few things to do in Genoa? The aquarium looks pretty cool. I will try to pack light but will still need a place to store my luggage so I'll have to look into storage lockers at that train station.

Sorry I have not been to Genoa. I don't have Rick's book near me to see if he has a chapter on Genoa. If not, research online or at the bookstore flipping thru other guidebooks if they have a Genoa section and see what is there.

Yes. Baggage storage is available at Genova Piazza Principe station (platform 11). Info below.
http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=b4450b5ba376b110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

The best of Genoa is below (Italian only but you get the gist)
http://www.10cose.it/genova/cosa-vedere-genova.html