Where is your hotel in Cordoba?
I don't tip - other than rounding up to the next euro or at most 1 euro.

the hotel is right near the mezquita. the hotel clerk told me it is a 15-20 min taxi ride. are the cabs there metered? i just don't want to be "taken for a ride"- no pun intended!

The train station is in central Córdoba, little more than a mile from the Mezquita. Could take some 5-10 mins to get there in taxi given the extremely narrow and winding - often one-way - streets in the Old town. Usually it's a surplus from the train stations, and at midnight the fare will be higher, but you shouldn't pay more than some 7-8€. The cabs are metered.

I guess we still don't know which hotel, but you can expect the trip to take 15-20 minutes onto the Mezquinta. Depending on your hotel, you could arrange for them to make the tranfer should you have any concerns about taxi rates.

You could walk from the Córdoba train station to the Mezquita in 15 minutes, 1 mile/1,6 km distance. Taxis are very affordable in Spain, and it will normally cost you a lot more to make the hotel arrange transportation.

Hotel Eurostars Maimonides

Calle Torrijos 4, 14003 Cordoba, Spain

i was just told 30 min walk or 10 min cab ride. as we are arriving at midnite i think we will opt for the cab.

thanks to all for your helpful advice!

Yes, go for the cab, and you're staying five meters from the Mezquita walls!

Of course a very special place around here, but I can also highly recommend the "other" Córdoba around the main Plaza de las Tendillas, the Plaza Mayor-like Plaza de la Corredera, the Roman ruins etc. All very close to the most obvious tourist attractions and some 300-400 meters north of your hotel. A more local atmosphere up here. Bustling outdoor cafés long into the night.

Several fine bodegas/tabernas in this area. Here you'll find great local places on every corner. Taberna Salinas comes recommended in the Michelin guide, and we were perfectly happy after two raciones, a bottle of wine and a couple of brandys for some 35€ last summer. http://www.tabernasalinas.com/

Bar Santos in Calle Magistral González Francés, 3 along the eastern side of the Mezquita - and 100 meters from your hotel - is a laid-back and small respite in this heavily touristy area. Wonderful Jamón Ibérico and famous for its tortilla: http://www.tripadvisor.es/Restaurant_Review-g187430-d1198921-Reviews-Bar_Santos-Cordoba_Province_of_Cordoba_Andalucia.html