Want to go to the Olympics?

With any package you're paying a whopping premium for the convenience of one-stop shopping. You can attend the Games for easily half as much by buying individual tickets (see below) and tracking down alternative accommodations beyond Turin.

2) Get out of town

Turin itself may be rapidly running out of rooms, but not the surrounding area. Even the limited pickings at Jumbo list nearly 40 hotels around the Piemonte region, and as my quick glance through the guidebook revealed, there are many, many more.

Guidebooks are one way to find other hotels, or you can peruse the listings provided on the Web sites of local tourism offices (there's a clickable map providing direct links to Piemonte's 11 provincial offices). If you don't mind sifting through mountains of information (often only in Italian), the best place to point your mouse is the vast accommodations database at the Piemonte regional site . In addition to a staggering 1,294 alberghi (hotels), it compiles lists of many of the alternatives discussed in the next section, including bed and breakfasts, rental rooms, farm stays, and campgrounds.

Slide show   U.S. Olympic hopefuls A look at athletes who have the best shot at gold in Turin.

Also, look beyond Piemonte. The neighboring region of Valle d'Aosta—a wide Alpine valley about 90 minutes by car (2 to 3 hours by train) north of Torino—is no farther away than many of the farther-flung corners of Piemonte, and rooms are far easier to come by.

"We've had a lot of bookings, yes," said the manager of Hotel Bus in the region's capital, Aosta. "But we're not full yet on any of the Olympics dates." However, between school holidays and the ski season, February is already a popular month in the region, so don't expect those rooms to be around forever. You can search lodging databases at the Valle d'Asota's official tourism Web site.

3) Look beyond hotels

Hotels aren't the only places where you can spend the night. Two of the obvious alternatives are hostels (where beds in shared dorms cost $15 to $18) and bed and breakfasts.

While B&Bs in Turin are going fast, there are still plenty as-yet-empty ones to be had—even in the historic center. "I still have some dates open during the Olympics," said Angela Rampone, who rents two double rooms for $95 each just a block from the Po River at Via Napione 15 (011-39-011-817-4739). "Both rooms share one bathroom, so I'd prefer to rent them to four people who know each other."

You can get information on both B&Bs and hostels in the "Accommodation" section of Turin's official tourism Web site —the tourist office will even book B&Bs on your behalf (011-39-011-535-181), but only two weeks in advance. You should also check availability at the private firm Bed and Breakfast Service (011-39-011-812-3675 or 800-984-892), which represents not only B&Bs throughout a Turin and Piemonte, but also other accommodations options such as farm stays, religious guesthouses, short-term residence hotels, apartments, and castles.

MORE FROM TRAVEL

Travel Section Front

America’s favorite cities Southwest apologizes to mom kicked off flight Can’t-miss holiday gifts for the traveler in your life Couple accused of stealing tons of luggage What your travel agent isn't telling you Ex-cons guide tourists through Naples World’s largest cruise ship clears crucial obstacle Tips for traveling safely during flu season From L.A. to Auckland, love is in the air Pack smarter — pack like a professional Travel Section Front   Add Travel headlines to your news reader: