Altstetten is first mentioned in 1249, at which time a distinction was made between in Altstettin superiori and in villa Altstetin Inferiori.

In 1864, a second line, to Zug via Affoltern am Albis, made a junction with the first just west of Altstetten railway station.

In the late 1950s the line was further cut back to Farbhof in the west of Altstetten, and it now forms part of the city's tram route 2.

The station is served by S-Bahn lines S5, S11, S12, S14, S19 and S42, providing frequent services to Zürich Hauptbahnhof with a ride time only a few minutes.

About 700 m (0.43 mi) to the west of Lindenplatz, tram route 2 terminates at Farbhof, where it connects with trolleybus 31 and buses 35, 78 and 303.