Both South Korea and Taiwan end up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer depends on what you're optimising for. Here is how they compare on the things that actually decide it: what a day costs, how safe each rates, when to go, and what each one is genuinely good at.
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 🇹🇼 Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily cost | ~€70 | ~€60 |
| Safety score | 92/100 | 90/100 |
| Best time to go | Spring, Autumn | Spring, Autumn |
| Climate | Temperate | Tropical, Temperate |
| Best for | Cities, Culture, Nature | Cities, Culture, Nature, Adventure |
| Suits | Solo travellers, Couples, Groups of friends | Solo travellers, Couples, Groups of friends |
| Budget level | Mid-range | Mid-range |
On-the-ground spending only — flights aren't included, and they often matter more than the daily rate.
| Trip length | South Korea | Taiwan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A long weekend (3 days) | ~€210 | ~€180 | €30 |
| One week | ~€490 | ~€420 | €70 |
| Two weeks | ~€980 | ~€840 | €140 |
🇰🇷 South Korea. K-pop, temple stays, neon streets, hiking trails and the world's fastest internet.
🇹🇼 Taiwan. Night markets, hot springs, dramatic gorges and the friendliest people in Asia.