Poland's most infamous bus route is back in service. FlixBus has relaunched the 666 line from Kraków to the Baltic resort town of Hel, two years after Christian groups successfully lobbied for its renumbering due to the number's satanic connotations.
The route, which covers over 600 kilometres in roughly 13 hours, was originally changed to 669 in 2023 following complaints that 666—widely known as the 'number of the beast' from the Book of Revelation—was inappropriate for public transport. The reversal has delighted curious passengers and tourists, many of whom board purely for the novelty.
From Controversy to Cult Appeal
One passenger joked to local media that riding bus 666 to Hel was like taking the 'Highway to Hell,' a reference to the AC/DC song. Others admitted to superstitious reservations. 'I wouldn't travel on a bus with that number,' a passenger told reporters, though they declined to elaborate.
The route's revival comes as Poland continues to navigate tensions between secular tourism and religious sensibilities. The country remains one of Europe's most devoutly Catholic nations, and the original renumbering reflected the influence of conservative Christian groups on local governance. FlixBus, a German-based operator, appears to have calculated that the commercial appeal of the 666 branding outweighs residual objections.
The journey itself is hardly luxurious: a 13-hour overnight ride from Kraków's main station to Hel, a narrow peninsula on the Baltic coast known for its beaches and lighthouse. Yet the combination of the number and the destination—'Hel' being the Polish word for hell—has turned the route into a viral phenomenon, drawing passengers from across Poland and beyond.
Tourism officials in Hel have welcomed the return, noting that the bus brings visitors who might otherwise skip the town. 'It's a bit of fun,' a local tourism board representative said. 'People come for the joke and stay for the seaside.'
The route's revival also highlights the growing role of private operators in Poland's long-distance bus network, which has expanded rapidly since deregulation. FlixBus now competes with state-owned carriers and regional lines, often using quirky marketing to attract passengers. The 666 route is one of several novelty services the company runs across Europe, though none have generated as much attention.
For now, the bus runs daily during the summer season, with tickets selling quickly. Whether the route will survive beyond the novelty remains to be seen, but for a country that values both tradition and a good story, Route 666 to Hel seems likely to stay.
