A first station at Kettwig was opened in 1871 by the Bergisch-Märkische Eisenbahn and passenger service on the line Düsseldorf-Kettwig-Kupferdreh was started on 1 February 1872.

The BME was integrated into the state railways of Prussia in 1882, and in 1887 a second track was built between Kettwig and Werden.

In 1926, after a construction time of over 13 years, a railway line to Velbert via Heiligenhaus was connected to the station, crossing the Ruhr on a third bridge.

Services to Mülheim and Velbert were carried out from Kettwig Stausee railway station instead, and only a single bridge connecting the line to Düsseldorf was ever constructed after World War II.

The former ticket hall building was sold to the city of Essen in 2001 and is now used as a cultural centre and restaurant.