Looking at getting an Auto France lease in Milan -- available at either airport, but we'd be coming to Milan by train from Venice, perhaps staying in Milan for a day or two. Which is the easiest airport to get to (just to pick up the car) and how?

The nearest airport is Linate, which is just outside Milano. In order to ge there you can take bus number 73 (I think 73) from Piazza San Babila, which will take you right to the airport in half an hour for 1 euro.

Thanks, Alice. Is taking a large rolling suitcase, or a couple of smaller ones for two of us frowned on or difficult on the bus? Since the airport is so close, any idea how much for a taxi there from the center to Linate?

Instead of City bus no. 73, take the airporter bus from Milano Stazione Centrale to Linate airport for 4 Euros. The luggage fits in the compartment under the main floor (like on Greyhound buses in the US).

I do not agree with GAC on the bus from the Centrale station to Linate. it sdoes have extra room for the luggage, but you would still have to get to the station by subway, which is usually more crowded than the bus to Linate. Also, the 73 bus NOT one of the usual city buses, it does have luggage room (at least some) that you will be able to access if you take it from its starting point in San Babila. Yet I have never had any trougle taking small suitcases with me on the buses of Milano, unless I have to leave at a rush hour: leave San Babila aroun 11 am and you will be fine. Here is the timetable for this bus:
http://www.atm-mi.it/eng/oraper/forari.htm

There is a bus stop right outside the central train station in milan. The bus will take you to malpensa airport.

ellieADI:
We baiscally know that there is the bus from Centrale to Malpensa, but getting to Malpensa means spending 5-7 dollars per person and travelling for one hour, getting to Linate means travelling for 15-20 minutes and spending 1 dollar per person.