Travel
General Information
Three airports serve the Washington metropolitan area. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest to the hotel; a free shuttle is available from the airport to the hotel. Besides Reagan National, there is Washington Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia and Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Airport in Maryland. Taxi and other transportation services are available from those airports to the hotel.
For those traveling by train, Amtrak offers frequent service to Union Station in downtown Washington; from there travelers can take the Metro or a taxi to the hotel. Greyhound and other bus lines serve Washington from a terminal located a few blocks north of Union Station.
Please see our Accommodations page for more Hotel information.
Metro Information
The Pentagon City Metro Station is located in the Fashion Center at the Pentagon City Mall at 1250 South Hayes St, Arlington, VA. From the Pentagon City Metro Station the Yellow Metro Line takes about 35 minutes to the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station which is only a few minute walk from the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Airport Information (3 options)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Hotel direction: 5 miles SE
The Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel provides airport shuttle service, complimentary Mon-Sun: 05:00 AM – 12:15 AM
Shuttle schedule: Shuttle departs hotel every 30 minutes starting at 5:00 AM, and typically leaves the airport 15 minutes later (:15 after and :45 after the hour). Last shuttle departs the hotel at 12:00 midnight and departs airport at 12:15 AM. Peak shuttle times are from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. During this time, traffic delays and high volume may require longer wait times.
There are other Sheraton shuttles at the airport, make sure to use the Sheraton Pentagon City shuttle.
Estimated taxi fare (if you choose not to take the shuttle): 15 USD (one way)
Visit DCA airport website (site not secure)
Sheraton Shuttle
Airport Information (3 options)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Hotel direction: 5 miles SE
The Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel provides airport shuttle service, complimentary Mon-Sun: 05:00 AM – 12:15 AM
Shuttle schedule: Shuttle departs hotel every 30 minutes starting at 5:00 AM, and typically leaves the airport 15 minutes later (:15 after and :45 after the hour). Last shuttle departs the hotel at 12:00 midnight and departs airport at 12:15 AM. Peak shuttle times are from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. During this time, traffic delays and high volume may require longer wait times.
There are other Sheraton shuttles at the airport, make sure to use the Sheraton Pentagon City shuttle.
Estimated taxi fare (if you choose not to take the shuttle): 15 USD (one way)
Visit DCA airport website (site not secure)
Sheraton Shuttle
-OR-
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Hotel direction: 25 miles W
The Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel does not provide shuttle service to/from this airport.
Estimated taxi fare: 75 USD (one way)
Visit IAD airport website (site not secure)
-OR-
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Hotel direction: 45 miles NE
The Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel does not provide shuttle service to/from this airport.
Estimated taxi fare: 120 USD (one way)
International Travelers
Coming to Arlington, Virginia, USA from another Country?
You might need a visa; please read on. (The information is taken directly from the U.S. Department of State website.)
What is a U.S. Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.
How Can I Use a Visa to Enter the United States?
Having a U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port of entry, airport, or land border crossing, and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector to enter the United States. While having a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States, it does indicate a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad has determined you are eligible to seek entry for that specific purpose. DHS/CBP inspectors, guardians of the nation’s borders, are responsible for admission of travelers to the United States, for a specified status and period of time. DHS also has responsibility for immigration matters while you are present in the United States.
More information can be found at: US State Department US Visa FAQ page
Do I need a Visa?
Please study this page about visas on the U.S. Department of State website to learn more about visas. Using this U.S. Department of State “visa wizard” to help you determine which visa you need.
An invitation letter is required before applying for a visa. You can request a Invitation Letter for Participants in the Space Settlement Contest or a Standard Invitation Letter.
Student Travel Information
For additional ISDC®2019 travel related information specifically for students , please see our student travel page.