Arrange an overview of your trip for better planning. Establish the first and last days of your Eurail pass and where you will be catching overnight trains.
Book your overnight Eurail pass train early, particularly if you are traveling in the high season of June to August. Remember that second-class fills up quickly, so the more organized you are, the better your chance of getting the reservation you want.
Decide if you're going to sleep in your second-class seat or pay for a private sleeper. Reserve accordingly.
Pack an inflatable pillow and light blanket. A two-yard piece of cotton will work and provides extra warmth if you're roughing it with a Eurail second-class pass. Sleeping on an overnight train can be uncomfortable so every little comfort helps.
Take food and water with you when taking the overnight train with a Eurail pass. The restaurant car won't be open when you need a drink of water in the middle of the night. Europeans generally take food with them, as food is expensive on the train.
Keep an eye on your bags while taking an overnight train with a Eurail pass. Depending on how big your bags are, you might want to attach a cord to the bag and your belt so you will feel if it's being moved.