## Get a Window Seat
When I reserve a seat on train (or a plane, for that matter), knowing that I would like to sleep during the journey, I often **book a window seat**. That way I can lean my head on the window, rather than having it hanging in the void, causing me to wake up every ten minutes as soon as the neck ache kicks in. Moreover I place a jumper/t-shirt/soft-layer between my head and the window. This layer acts as a pillow and temperature insulator.

As the comments below suggest, the windows seat is also strategically placed so that you will not be woken up when your neighbour needs to go to the bathroom. However, you can always climb on top of the seat, or find another acrobatic way out, in case you are the one who needs to go to the bathroom. From my point of view it is better to be the one climbing over rather than to be climbed over.

## Pack for Sleeping
If you want to sleep, **bring sleeping gear**. Since you are travelling by train, you don't have to abide by weight rules for your carry-on. So you can pack as much gear as you like. For me, necessary can't-sleep-without-it gear includes:

 - Sleeping mask
 - Ear plugs
 - Travel pillow
 - Some form of cover: blanket, jacket, sleeping bag


## Final Remarks
Having said this, note that I somewhat agree with [this guy][1]:

 > If you’re determined to avoid paying for a couchette, [and fail to find anything else but a standard (non-foldout) seat] book a couchette — what you’ll spend is less than what you’d waste by arriving at your next destination too fatigued to enjoy it.

This is especially true in case of long-haul train journeys such as the one you mention.

  [1]: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/night-trains