Landing in Milan (Malpensa) at 11:35 AM.

What is the earliest train I should book?
2:00 pm?

I know there is a 1 hour bus ride to Milano Centrale from the airport, plus time for de-planing, customs, and baggage claim.

We have a 3.5 hour train ride ahead of us to Cinque Terre and would like to get there as early as possible to check in to our apartment rental.

My answer would be that you should not book ahead.

I'm just curious... where is this villa that you can enjoy without a rental car?

Best wishes,

Rex

Whoops... apartment... that might be part of the answer...

The day of the week of your arrival could lengthen your journey from Malpensa. You don't mention the village but there is a train that gets you to Monterosso in less than 3 hours, if that's where you're headed.
Have a great trip.

Hi S,

There are 7 trains from Milan to Monterosso between 12:00 and 17:00.

I would buy a ticket when I got to Milan Centrale.