Korea & Taiwan Sprint
📍 Seoul → Taipei
Budget from
$2,200/mo
Comfortable
$2,800/mo
Two underrated nomad destinations back to back. Both have world-class internet and incredible street food.
Seoul and Taipei are the two most underrated nomad cities in Asia. Both have internet speeds that make the rest of the world look behind. Both have street food cultures that will ruin you for home. Both are safe, easy to navigate, and packed with cafés that are genuinely great places to work. Two weeks across both cities is one of the most productive and enjoyable short routes in East Asia.
Who this is for
- âś“ Tech workers and developers who need fast, reliable internet above all else
- ✓ Food-obsessed nomads — both cities are exceptional
- ✓ Solo travelers — both cities are among the safest on earth
- âś“ Anyone curious about East Asia who isn't ready to commit to Japan's price tag
Not ideal for
- ✗ Budget travelers — both cities are mid-range at minimum
- âś— Nomads who need Western time zone overlap
- ✗ Anyone who struggles with language barriers — English is less widespread than in Southeast Asia
The Route
Seoul
South Korea
Seoul rewards exploration. The Han River parks are free, the palace districts are beautiful, and the street food in Gwangjang Market is unmissable. Get a T-money card at the airport for the metro. The nomad café culture here is the best in Asia — you can work from almost any coffee shop without anyone asking you to leave.
Taipei
Taiwan
Fly Seoul to Taipei — about 2.5 hours. Taipei is smaller and more relaxed than Seoul but punches just as hard on food and internet. The night markets (Shilin, Raohe) are not to be missed. Spend a day in the mountains at Jiufen — it's an hour from the city and extraordinary.
🛂 Visa & Entry
South Korea gives most Western passports 90 days visa-free. Taiwan gives 90 days visa-free to most Western passports as well. No work visas needed for remote work. Both countries have straightforward entry processes.
When to Go
Best months
Avoid
Practical Tips
- 1.Get a T-money card (Seoul) and EasyCard (Taipei) at each airport — works on all public transport and convenience stores.
- 2.Korean carriers (SKT, KT) offer excellent tourist SIM cards at Incheon Airport arrivals.
- 3.In Taipei, Chunghwa Telecom SIMs are available at the airport and have the best island-wide coverage.
- 4.The flight from Seoul Incheon to Taipei Taoyuan is operated by multiple carriers — check Korean Air, EVA Air, and China Airlines for the best price.
- 5.Naver Maps is essential in Seoul — Google Maps is less reliable for Korean public transport.
- 6.Taipei's MRT is one of the cleanest and most efficient metro systems in the world. Use it for everything.
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $900 | Guesthouses and short-term apartments across both cities. |
| Food | $600 | Street food is cheap, restaurants are mid-range. Budget more if you want to eat seriously. |
| Coworking | $180 | Day passes in both cities. Cafés often work just as well for free. |
| Flights | $400 | International arrival, Seoul to Taipei, and departure from Taipei. |
| Local transport | $120 | Metro in both cities plus occasional taxi. |
| Activities & buffer | $300 | Day trips, night markets, museums, buffer. |
| Total | $2,500 |
