Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Sterling travel guide

Sterling Tourism | Sterling Guide

You're Going to Love Sterling

With a population of 27,822, Sterling is a must-see destination in Virginia, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We recommend you stay at least 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Sterling has to offer.

Where to Eat in Sterling

If you’re looking for affordable options, Tamarind Indian Cuisine (46300 Potomac Run Plaza Suite 120) and Trump National Golf Club (20391 Lowes Island Blvd.) are great picks.

When to visit Sterling

Sterling in February
Estimated hotel price
$123
1 night at 3-star hotel
Sterling in February
Estimated hotel price
$123
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Sterling in July, when the average temperature is 75.2 °F, and the highest can go up to 87.8 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 21.2 °F, with an average temperature of 32 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in May, when precipitation is around 4.7″. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Sterling, with an average rainfall of 2.7″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Sterling

Plane

When flying to Sterling, you’ll arrive at Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), which is located 7 km from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Sterling departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 37m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Sterling. The train journey from Sterling to Philadelphia takes 1h 56m and costs around $17 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Richmond, expect to pay about $19 for a 1h 59m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Sterling is to pick up a car rental from Washington, D.C., which is about 36 km from Sterling. You’ll find branches of Turo and Alamo, among others, in Washington, D.C..

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Sterling, including Washington Deluxe, Peter Pan Bus Lines and Greyhound. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Sterling takes 282 km and will cost you around $44. From New York, the ticket costs about $41 for a journey of 314 km.

Plane

When flying to Sterling, you’ll arrive at Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), which is located 7 km from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Sterling departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 37m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Sterling. The train journey from Sterling to Philadelphia takes 1h 56m and costs around $17 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Richmond, expect to pay about $19 for a 1h 59m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Sterling is to pick up a car rental from Washington, D.C., which is about 36 km from Sterling. You’ll find branches of Turo and Alamo, among others, in Washington, D.C..

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Sterling, including Washington Deluxe, Peter Pan Bus Lines and Greyhound. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Sterling takes 282 km and will cost you around $44. From New York, the ticket costs about $41 for a journey of 314 km.

Airports near Sterling

FDKFrederick
FMEFort Meade Tipton

Airlines serving Sterling

KLM
Good (1,337 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,854 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,940 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,703 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,448 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,701 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,221 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,567 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,265 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,349 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,070 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,985 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,275 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,855 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,205 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (968 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,292 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (856 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,921 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (254 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Sterling

Where to stay in popular areas of Sterling

Most booked hotels in Sterling

See all
Hampton Inn Dulles/Cascades
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 955 reviews)
$130+
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The Westin Reston Heights
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 904 reviews)
$163+
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Hyatt House Sterling Dulles Airport North
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1219 reviews)
$120+
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The Westin Washington Dulles Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1220 reviews)
$153+
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Hyatt Regency Dulles
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1580 reviews)
$143+
View
Holiday Inn Washington-Dulles International Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1020 reviews)
$105+
View

Renting a car in Sterling

Renting a car in Sterling costs $55 per day, on average, or $222 if you want to rent if for 4 days. National, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Alamo are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Sterling is the Dollar branch at 23540 Autopilot Drive, which is 5 km from the city center.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 6% cheaper than airport locations in Sterling.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Sterling (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. Intermediate (Chevrolet Bolt EUV or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Sterling, while also 60% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Sterling costs $55 per day, on average, or $222 if you want to rent if for 4 days. National, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Alamo are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Sterling is the Dollar branch at 23540 Autopilot Drive, which is 5 km from the city center.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 6% cheaper than airport locations in Sterling.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Sterling (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. Intermediate (Chevrolet Bolt EUV or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Sterling, while also 60% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Sterling

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$36/day

Economy

Open air all terrain

5 Adults, 2 Bags

$48/day

Open air all terrain
Find car rentals in Sterling

Sterling Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Sterling city guide for the best Sterling travel tips. To help you organize your Sterling trip ideas, this Sterling visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.