Poland has reinstated the 666 bus route to the Baltic resort of Hel, a service that previously drew international attention for its numbering. The route, colloquially known as the ‘Highway to Hel’, connects the city of Wejherowo to the coastal town of Hel and had been suspended since 2023 following pressure from religious groups. The resurrection of the service, announced by local transport authorities on Monday, has prompted an advisory from the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office.
In a statement, the Foreign Office noted that the route number “may cause offence or distress to some travellers” and urged British tourists to “exercise caution and respect local sensitivities”. The advisory stopped short of prohibiting travel but emphasised that passenger safety and cultural awareness remained paramount.
The route’s revival appears linked to a surge in demand for summer travel to Hel, a popular destination for its sandy beaches and windsurfing. The 666 designation, which alludes to the biblical ‘number of the beast’, had been subject to complaints from Catholic groups and local politicians. However, transport officials cited the cost and logistical disruption of renumbering as factors in the decision to retain the original number.
Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure declined to comment on the diplomatic implications, instead focusing on the economic benefits of increased tourism. The UK’s advisory is unlikely to deter most visitors, but it reflects the continuing tension between secular tourism and religious conservatism in parts of Eastern Europe. The route will operate daily until September.
