Poland’s Controversial ‘Highway to Hel’ 666 Bus Returns

FlixBus has announced the reintroduction of the 666 bus service to the Polish coastal destination of Hel, reviving the route previously operated by the local carrier PKS Gdynia. The decision brings back a service that had been the subject of significant controversy due to its route number.

In 2023, PKS Gdynia altered the line number from 666 to 669 following intense backlash from religious conservative groups. These groups argued that the number 666, identified in the Bible as the "number of the beast," combined with Hel’s phonetic similarity to the word "hell," constituted an endorsement of "satanism." A spokesperson for PKS Gdynia explained at the time that the management had "buckled under the weight of letters and requests" sent over many years, urging a change to the designation.

The revived service, now operated by FlixBus, features a 13-hour journey connecting Kraków to Hel. The route stops at major Polish cities and regional hubs, including the capital, Warsaw. Aleksander Kalenik, a spokesperson for FlixBus, told Polish news outlet TVN24 that the selection of the number 666 was a calculated marketing strategy designed to boost visibility for the connection on this popular holiday corridor.

Hel is situated at the tip of the 22-mile (35km) Hel Peninsula, which extends into the Gulf of Gdańsk along Poland’s northern coastline. As a predominantly Roman Catholic country, Poland has a historically influential Church, adding cultural weight to the controversy. Despite the religious objections, Hel remains a sought-after tourist destination, attracting visitors with its sandy beaches, historic architecture, and a local seal sanctuary.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 03:19:57 UTC