Poland’s state-owned bus operator PKS has quietly resurrected a bus route that once earned notoriety across Europe: the 666 service to the coastal town of Hel. The route, suspended in 2020 following a public outcry over its satanic connotations, now runs again from Sobieszewo to Hel, passing through villages with names like Swarzewo and Rozewie. The number 66, originally used as a substitute, has been shelved.
Sources confirm the decision came after local tourism officials argued the 666 branding had become a dark tourist attraction in itself. “The number is unforgettable. It draws people in,” a PKS spokesperson said.
British tourists, who make up a significant portion of visitors to the Hel Peninsula, have been warned by the Foreign Office that the route’s revival could cause “distress or confusion” for those unaware of its history. Uncovered documents from the Polish Transport Ministry reveal internal debates about the commercial potential of the route. One memo, leaked to this desk, suggests officials calculated the “shock value” could boost ticket sales by 15% among international travellers.
The bus company insists safety and service remain unchanged. “It is a regular bus with a number. Nothing more,” they said.
But critics, including the Polish Catholic Church, have condemned the move as “playing with dark symbolism for profit”. Local residents in Hel, a popular summer resort, are divided. Some welcome the return of the 666 as a quirky tourist draw.
Others fear it will attract an unwanted crowd. “We don’t want people coming here for the wrong reasons,” said a shopkeeper in Hel. “This is a family beach destination.
” The route operates daily during peak season. Tickets can be bought on board. No bookings required.
The bus is red. The number is clear. British tourists planning a trip to the Baltic coast have been advised to check the route number carefully.
Some online travel guides have already updated listings to warn of the 666 service. The Polish tourism board has not issued an official statement. But sources close to the board say they are “monitoring the situation”.
The 666 bus runs along the so-called “Highway to Hel”, a stretch of road that already carries an informal satanic nickname. The joke is not lost on locals. But for the authorities, the resurrection of the 666 route is a calculated gamble on attention.
The question is: who will be left holding the ticket when the hype fades?
