travel
How to get to and around Washington, DC
As a major international destination, Washington, DC is easily accessible from cities all over the world. Once in the city, delegates will find it convenient to get around on foot, however there is also an efficient public transportation system.
Venue Address
JW Marriott Washington, DC, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Air Travel
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) (4 miles from venue): Accessible via taxi (see the official taxi stand outside of baggage claim; a ride to downtown DC will cost approx. $15-20), car service (e.g. Uber, Lyft), or Metrorail (Blue and Yellow lines). For more information, please visit the airport website.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) (26 miles from venue): Accessible via taxi (see taxi stands outside of main terminal; a ride to downtown DC will cost approx. $60-70; Washington Flyer taxi cabs exclusively service Dulles Airport), car service (e.g. Uber, Lyft), or Metrorail (Silver line). For more information, please visit the airport website.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (34 miles from venue): Accessible via taxi (taxi stand is located just outside of the baggage claim area of the Lower Level of the terminal; a ride to downtown DC will cost approx. $90-$120), car service (e.g. Uber, Lyft), or Amtrak train to Union Station (first take the free BWI Marshall Airport Shuttle Service to the MARC/Amtrak station). For more information, please visit the airport website.
Discounted Airfares
ISHA is proud to announce that we have chosen SkyTeam as our Official Alliance Network for air travel to the ISHA 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. To book your travel via SkyTeam and benefit from exclusive delegate discounts, please visit the Discounted Airfares page.
Car
For those wishing to drive ISHA 2024, valet parking is available at the JW Marriott. Additional charges apply for oversized vehicles, and the maximum vehicle height permitted is 6 feet, 4 inches.
For driving directions and additional information, please visit the JW Marriott website.
Additional nearby parking options can be found here.
Bicycle
Bicycles can be rented from Unlimited Biking or Capital Bikeshare, the latter of which has an office 3 blocks from the JW Marriott. Please be aware that Washington, DC traffic can be busy at peak periods, so cyclists are advised exercise caution.
Train
Amtrak, Metrorail and commuter trains arrive at historic Union Station, which is only 1.3 miles from the JW Marriott Hotel.
For more details of intercity connections, please see the Amtrak website.
Delegates can easily travel between DC and its neighboring states, Maryland and Virginia, using public transportation services designed for commuters. The region, commonly referred to as the DMV, has a variety of options, including the Fairfax Connector buses in Virginia, the Virginia train system known as the VRE, and the MARC train in Maryland. Other regional transportation systems are listed the WMATA website.
Public Transportation
Most transportation systems in the DC area are run by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Trips are paid for through a SmarTrip account, by means of either a reloadable plastic card or mobile pay. This system includes Metrorail, Metrobus, and the DC Circulator. For further details, please see the WMATA Trip Planner.
Metrorail
The DC Metrorail system has six color-coded lines: Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow, and Green. The layout makes it possible to travel between any two stations with no more than a single transfer. Look for tall brown columns with a large "M" identifying the station entrances. Colored stripes around the column show which lines serve that station.
SmarTrip card holders get the best rates. For maps and fare information, please see the WMATA Trip Planner.
The JW Marriott is only 3 blocks from the Metro Center Metrorail station, which offers the Orange, Silver, Blue, and Red lines.
Metrobus
Metrobus runs a wide variety of routes throughout the city and the greater Washington, DC area, many of which operate with eco-friendly vehicles. There are multiple stops close to the JW Marriott; please see the WMATA Trip Planner for details.
DC Circulator
The DC Circulator bus runs every 10 minutes, costs $1 per ride, and travels along six specific routes that take riders to points of interest around the city, including a dedicated National Mall route for easy access to many of DC's monuments and memorials.
Tickets can be paid for with exact change, SmarTrip card, or a 7-day WMATA regional bus pass. Please see the dedicated Schedules for more information.
The JW Marriott is approx. 0.5 miles away from the Red and Green DC Circulator bus lines.
International Visitors
Planning Your Arrival
For international passengers, we suggest that you try to allow yourself at least a day in which to adjust to the time difference and relax after your flight before ISHA 2024 commences. Washington, DC follows the Eastern time zone, which will be Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during the conference dates, corresponding to UTC/GMT -5 hours.
Entry Requirements and Travel Documents
Generally, citizens of foreign countries are required to obtain a visitor visa for the USA when entering the country for business (visa category B-1), tourism (visa category B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2). Information on how to apply, the fees involved, and the documents required, can be found on the US Department of State website and Visa Wizard Tool.
There is a Visa Waiver Program in place for nationals of participating countries traveling to the USA for tourism or business for 90 days or less. Such travelers must, however, apply for approval via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system (cost $21.00) prior to travel. For details and qualifying criteria, please visit the US Department of State website. Delegates are advised to watch out for ESTA application scams; always use the official link provided.
Delegates are encouraged to sort all visa/entry requirements in good time ahead of travel.
Insurance
It is strongly recommended that delegates take out adequate travel and health insurance prior to commencement of travel. Further information can be obtained from your travel agent. Delegate registration fees do not provide any such insurance coverage. The Organizing Committee and the ISHA Conference Office accept no responsibility for any loss in this regard.
Safety
As in any large city, delegates are advised to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
Emergency Services Number: 911
Non-Emergency City Services Number: 311
Covid-19 Regulations
There are no Covid-19 regulations currently in place for the event or for entry to the USA.
Vaccinations
There are no specific vaccination requirements in place for visitor entry to the USA. If in doubt, please contact your country's national health advice service.
General Advice
Banking, Cards and Currency
The currency in the USA is the US Dollar (USD/$). Each dollar is comprised of 100 cents, and there are both notes ($1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 dollar bills) and coins (1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, and $1) available.
There is no limit on the amount of currency that can be brought into the country, however sums exceeding $10,000 must be declared on arrival.
Currency can be exchanged at most banks, airports, and hotels, as well as bureaux de change. Banking hours in the USA are generally 08:00/09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, although some banks will close as early as 16:00, and others as late as 18:00. Many branches stay open late at least once day a week.
Major credit card brands are widely accepted. Please note that most establishments in the USA work on a signature method of authentication, rather than chip-and-PIN.
ATMs are readily available, but please note that these are likely to charge a fee. If your card does not have a magnetic strip, it may not work in the ATM. An alternative method is to request cashback in supermarkets and stores, for which you will need to present a form of ID.
Climate
The climate in Washington, DC during the Meeting is likely to be cool, with a gentle breeze and some chance of rain. The average temperature ranges from a high of 69°F (21°C) to a low of 50°F (10°C).
Electricity
In the USA there are two plug types: types A and B. Plug type A has two flat parallel pins, and plug type B has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin.
The USA operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz. You may require a travel adaptor, depending on your country of origin.
Language
The lingua franca in the USA is American English. Spanish may be spoken in some places.
Tipping
The USA has a tipping culture, and tips are expected in most scenarios. A gratuity of 20-25% on top of the bill (before sales tax) is standard, with extra given for exceptional service.
Value Added Tax/Sales Tax
Sales tax in Washington, DC is currently 6%. The standard rate is applicable to almost all goods or services.
Please note that oftentimes sales tax will only be added at the cash register, rather than indicated on prices.
Driving
Please be reminded that vehicles drive on the right in the USA.
Parking can be expensive and difficult to find in Washington, DC, so delegates are advised to take advantage of the extensive public transit system.
Visitor Information
For visitor information, please visit the Destination DC website.
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