luggage transport service on trenitalia

Roopal, I have always used the train/public transportation in Italy and have not rented a car because public transport worked for me. The train is fast, reasonably priced, and has room for stretching your legs, dining, etc. You can take the airport express train to Milan (Milano Centrale), change trains and go straight to Venice. (I have done that.) You may want to check out train timetables and costs for your routes and destinations on one of these websites: http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en http://trenitalia.it/homepage_en.html (I am not familiar with transportation from the train station in Venice to Mirano. You may want to search this site for Mirano or others may respond with more specific advice.) .
For some destinations and depending on the number of travelers, the amount of luggage, etc., a car may OR MAY NOT be a better option. Were you planning to get 2 cars? I am not sure that there is going to be a good option for renting one vehicle for 5 adults and 3 children. I expect there are others who may be able to speak to that issue. If you do rent a car it is important that you research in advance regarding Italy's ZTL and traffic laws. You can search for "car in Italy" on this site and you will see many posts highlighting the challenges related to rental car use in Italy. You DEFINITELY do not want a car in Rome.

How much luggage are you talking about?

roopal, IMO, travel by train would be better for a group that size, as you'd have to rent a larger vehicle to accommodate that many people with luggage. That could be expensive. It is NOT a good idea to drive in the larger cities (Rome, Florence, etc.)! Also, keep in mind that each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit which is used in conjunction with your home license. Failure to produce an I.D.P. if requested can result in fines on the spot! You would also need to be vigilant to avoid the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas, as hefty fines can result. As someone else mentioned, how much luggage are you hauling? You're responsible for your own luggage on the trains. There will be a luggage rack at the end of the car, and you can keep smaller items either on the rack above your seats or perhaps on the floor beside you if the train isn't too crowded. You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Man in Seat 61 website. Be sure to watch your luggage on the trains, as bags have been known to "disappear". When travelling by train, you'll also need to be aware that tickets on Regionale trains MUST be validated prior to boarding the train. Also, reservations are compulsory on the the Freccia high speed trains (which will be included with the tickets if purchased there). You MUST ensure that you board the train specified on the ticket. Those travelling with unvalidated tickets or without valid reservations may be fined on the spot and it's not cheap! Happy travels!

Roopal, if everybody packs carefully and all carry their own luggage, you won't be any different from 8 other passengers doing the same. There is luggage space on the trains. From Milano Malpensa, you can take the train from the airport to Milano Centrale where you would transfer to a train going to Venezia Santa Lucia. At the airport, just make sure that you are on the train for Centrale as there is also another train that departs there that goes to Milano Cardona which is a different train station in Milan. Just don't look for luggage carts on which to place everybody's luggage. You won't find them. Everybody carries their own luagge onto the train and off the train unless the children are too young or any of the adults are too infirmed to do it. From Venice to Florence its the same on that train run as well. Since you are going to Sandicci, there is a new T1 light rail (Tram) at the Florence main train station that will take you to Sandicci for 1.20Euro. Somehow, some way, you will get your luggage onto the tram.