Heavy Luggage Options

Unfortunately, Trenitalia has just started luggage limitations on its trains.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/luggage-on-trenitalia-trains-new-rules.

Is there any way you could ship some of your luggage home rather than lug it around Italy?

As you'll see from the thread linked in the previous post, Trenitalia has since back-pedaled on luggage size, not that they couldn't reinstate that down the road. But the larger the bag, the more difficult it will be to manage. There are places in the trains to accommodate storage but stairs are a fact in Italy, and if you can't manage them yourselves with a large bag, you need to downsize.

Look into having it shipped from Rome to Milan - you would have to arrange for storage at your hotel in Milan. Here is one example - many more out there:

https://www.trenitalia.com/en/services/luggage_transportservices.html

Also, note that the new restrictions on Trenitalia apply to the fast [Frecce] trains - not the slower Intercity or Regionale trains.

How big is "big"?

My husband and I have traveled the world including Asia. We always pack light with the exception of the expeditions to Antarctica and Svalbard where you need polar gear. We use the RS Ravenna rolling suitcase. I cannot imagine having to hop on or off a train quickly with a large cumbersome suitcase.

There are luggage racks generally in each train car, sometimes by the door, sometimes in the middle of the car. Google for images. They are not huge and can fill quickly. You want to board the train as soon as it arrives in the station to get a spot. You may need to lift the luggage to a higher shelf.

A greater concern for me would be Venice. Choose your hotel carefully to avoid too many bridges from the Vaporetto stop.

You can easily have you luggage shipped from Rome to Milan for $40 per bag. Trust me, it’s worth it. https://www.sendmybag.com/en-us/quote/

There's a distinction between "bigger than carryon" and "heavy", IMO. Last year we traveled with a checked bag sized piece of luggage (and a carry-on size) between Milan, Lake Orta, and Lake Maggiore using the train and the ferries. There was plenty of room for the larger bag on the train (regionale trains only) either on the overhead rack or on the rack near the door. But the bag wasn't necessarily heavy -- it was heavier than the smaller bag but it wasn't super heavy in that either of us could lift it up into the overhead rack.

Also, interestingly, I find it's easier to travel light with more people, because you can share things! You don't each need your own toiletries (other than a toothbrush :)). You don't each need your own guidebook. It's like backpacking is easier with more folks, because you only need one stove and often one tent for two people.... That said, back to your original question, as long as you still focus on packing light even if one suitcase is bigger I think you'll be fine.

And beyond the luggage restrictions (or future luggage restrictions), I try to only travel with a carry on sized suitcase and my messenger bag as a carry on (because I hate lugging luggage, I check my suitcase). My recent trips have been on trains between 4 locations over two weeks and I have wanted to chuck my carry on sized suitcase off of the train the first journey in country! I would get VERY aggravated having to manage two suitcases and my carry on items on ANY trains going ANYWHERE. I would definitely look into shipping your luggage to Milan!

Would it be possible to down size before you leave Asia, shipping home items you won't need? I can't imagine hauling around a lot of stuff I don't need. If you could re-pack into smaller suitcases, even better.

Are you visiting relatives in Asia? If so, I completely understand the big, heavy bags. If not, then I think the question, "could you cut down?" is legit.

Each train car has luggage spaces however, as previously mentioned they can fill up fast, thus you're left with lifting your bags into the overhead shelves above the seating around...provided your bag fits and you have the strength.

Are you forced to use large luggage bags because you're packing for kids and they're not old enough to manage on their own? Trying to haul around large suitcases around Venice is going to be a massive source of frustration. The only people I've ever seen with big bags either have a valet handling it or, they're locals and they know their way around, otherwise people attempting to negotiate all the stairs/bridges/alleyways with a big bag in Venice, are the source of anger, frustration and irritation from others.

Thank you fellow travelers for your valued inputs. Gave me lot of good information. Really appreciate.

Is it possible, due to the ages of the family, that everyone just carry one carry-on? Admittedly I am single, f, 70 plus, and I always rent an apartment and I always have a washing machine. I usually travel for a month at a time and color coordinate my outfits. Right now I am in France for a month and basically everything is Peach and turquoise. It has been colder than the temperatures indicated it would be so I just wear a t-shirt, too long sleeve shirts and my sweater with a scarf. Is that not feasible for your group?

After having an "experience" with large luggage in '93, that became a Goodwill contribution. Sometimes we do need each space so we just add carry-on size luggage. I would rather handle four carry-on rolling bags than two larger bags. When we cruise we do add a rolling carry on so it is three carryon, and a couple of day bags. If you have to, take 2 smaller bags instead of one large. You have more options for storage.