A DB promotional offer at Lidl supermarkets offering cut-price tickets for travel anywhere in Germany was virtually sold out within one hour of the tickets going on sale on May 19.
Queues formed before the shops opened as would-be passengers rushed to buy the tickets from 2600 Lidl outlets. For just €49·90 it was possible to buy a pack of two single second class tickets, with purchase limited to five packs per person. Conditions for using the tickets were minimal, with travel permitted on any train before October 3. Passengers had to write in the route and date of travel, with validity extending to 10.00 on the following day to allow use of overnight trains, although this required payment of a supplement.
