Main line trains, operated by Greater Anglia, call at Hackney Downs between Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale.

The new London Overground line names and colours were introduced across the London rail network in November 2024 The station was opened on 27 May 1872 when the Great Eastern Railway opened the first part of its new line from Enfield Town to Stoke Newington.

At Hackney Downs the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) took over operations of the GER services.

The lines through Hackney were electrified in the late 1950s with electric services commencing operation on 21 November 1960.

This occupied the site of the former Graham Road GER goods depot which was accessed from the North London line.

However, when Hackney Central re-opened in 1985, the footway was not reinstated and passengers transferring between the two stations were obliged to leave one and walk along the street to the other, until the link was rebuilt.

[12][13] Some West Anglia Main Line services continue to call at Hackney Downs.

On Sundays, the station is served by hourly Greater Anglia services that continue beyond Broxbourne on the main West Anglia Main Line (via Harlow Town) that terminate at Cambridge North rather than the usual half hourly services to Hertford East.