Train service in Coimbatore started with the opening of railway station at Podanur in 1862 as a part of the Podanur–Madras line connecting the west coast with the rest of India.

[4][5] Coimbatore junction became operational on 1 February 1873 after the construction of a branch line connecting Podanur.

[7] The station became part of the newly formed Salem railway division in 2006.

[8] Coimbatore is among the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railways.

[9][10][11] As of 2023[update], it contributes to nearly 45% of the revenues of the Salem railway division and is classified as a NSG-2 station (annual revenue between 100 and 5 billion rupees and 10–20 million passengers handled).