We have an early flight home from Milan. We have a hotel downtown. Should we move closer to the airport for the last night?
It depends on how early the flight is. It will take you at least an hour or slightly more to get to Milan Malpensa from central Milan. And, note that the first train from Milano Centrale departs at 05:25. Earlier trains depart for the airport from the Milano Nord Cadorna station at 4:28 and 4:58. All this is according to the Trenitalia website. Or, you can arrange with your hotel to have a taxi there in the very early hours to take you to the airport.