Sources confirm that Poland has resurrected one of its most macabre public transport lines: the 666 bus to Hel. The route, suspended in 2023 under pressure from religious groups, will resume operations in time for the summer season. Documents obtained by this newsroom show that the small Baltic town of Hel, whose name translates to “Hell” in English, has long marketed its bus line as the “Highway to Hel” with the number of the beast.
Local officials say the revival is driven by tourism and economic necessity, not devil worship. The route connects the town of Władysławowo to Hel, 36 kilometres of coastal road that becomes a pilgrimage for curious travellers. The suspension last year followed complaints from religious activists who argued the branding was offensive.
But the town’s mayor, Mirosław Wąsik, told reporters that the decision to bring back route 666 was made after a survey showed overwhelming local support. “We are not promoting Satanism. We are promoting Hel,” he said.
The bus company, PKS Gdynia, confirmed that the line will operate daily from June 21 to September 30. Tickets are priced at 6.66 złoty for a single journey.
Critics argue the move is insensitive. Father Janusz Kowalski, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in the region, called it “a tasteless gimmick that trivialises evil.” But the town’s tourism board is already printing T-shirts and keychains.
“Last year, we lost 40 per cent of our summer visitors,” said board member Anna Nowak. “People come for the name. They take selfies with the bus sign.
This is our identity.” The resurrection of the 666 bus line is part of a broader trend of towns exploiting dark tourism. Hel’s name is a historical accident.
It comes from the Old Prussian word for “dry place,” not the underworld. But that nuance is lost on most visitors. The bus line first gained international attention in 2006, when a viral photo of a bus bearing the route number 666 rolling towards Hel circulated online.
Since then, it has become a pop culture reference point. The route’s revival raises questions about the intersection of commerce, superstition, and local identity. For now, the buses will run.
If you want to catch a ride to Hel, you better book early. Seats are filling up fast.
