FlixBus reinstated the 666-numbered bus route to the seaside town of Hel, which made its first journey on June 28, 2026 [3].
The return of the service marks a shift in how the operator handles the notoriety of the route number. After a period of removal, the company is now leveraging the line's unique identity to meet tourist demand and capitalize on its fame.
The service runs from Kraków to the Hel Peninsula, passing through Warsaw and various other coastal resorts [1]. The route had previously been withdrawn in 2023 [2] because of concerns that the number 666 carried satanic connotations [4].
The decision to bring back the line follows a three-year gap in service. By reviving the route, FlixBus aims to provide a direct link to the peninsula while embracing the attention generated by the specific numbering [4].
The inaugural trip on Sunday signaled the official return of the service to the Polish transport network [3]. The route serves as a primary connection for travelers moving from the southern city of Kraków toward the Baltic coast [1].
“The 666-numbered bus route to the seaside town of Hel was reinstated.”
The reinstatement of Route 666 suggests a transition from risk-aversion to brand-leveraging by FlixBus. While the number was once viewed as a liability due to cultural and religious sensitivities in Poland, the operator is now treating the notoriety as a marketing asset to attract tourists to the Hel Peninsula.
