I am planning to go to Venice and Florence from Milan after a 2 week business trip. I have to return to Milan to catch the flight back to the US. Any suggestions on storing a 26 inch luggage either in train station or Malpensa airport for 2 to 3 days? Is the train station far from the airport? Should I take the luggage with me on the train? Thanks.

Milano Centrale train station is located in the center of Milan, almost an hour from Malpensa Airport and has a "Deposito Bagagli." (The charge might add up to 4-5 euro a day per bag.) From Milano Centrale, you will travel by train to Venice. Your train from Florence will arrive at Milano Centrale. A bus to Malpensa Airport leaves from just outside the station.

You could take the luggage or leave it--it's up to you, since you know what you will or will not need. You will probably be passing right by the baggage deposit on your way back from Florence, so it wouldn't be out of your way.

I have used the deposito bagagli in Milano Centrale quite a few times with no problem so I would suggest leaving them there too. It is not an automatic luggage storage, there is a man who handles that. Just be sure not to lose your receipt or THAT could be a problem... Milan Centrale is also convenient because from there you must take the trains to Florence and Venice
Yes I should leave the bulky baggages in the deposit and take just a smaller suitcase or travel bag when travelling in Venice and Florence.

Thank you for your tips.

just finished a trip...

I dont know about milan but in Venice, my buddy and I got in at 5:45 a.m. on a train so we waited until 6 when the baggage storage opened, and left our bags at the station while we explored Venice in its waking hours (which was cool by the way). It turned out fine, cost about 3 Euro for 12 hours I think. Just look for the signs that have a blue (?) background and a white suitcase drawn on them.

ellenem/BATUFFOLINA - have you used the luggage lockers recently - after 911? I am trying to figure out if we will be able to leave our luggage at the train station or not. Seems like some of the info here is outdated - since I read somewhere that they stopped all luggage storage in Italy? Is this true??

hawaiihoneymoon- answering yours: "since I read somewhere that they stopped all luggage storage in Italy? Is this true??"
What you read is false. You can get attended luggage storages in most of train stations in Italy