It was opened by British Rail in 1988 and is located on the East Coast Main Line, 5+1⁄4 miles (8.4 km) east of Edinburgh Waverley, and is served by the North Berwick Line.

It is located near the recently built campus of the Queen Margaret University.

The 2nd Musselburgh station opened in July 1847 and was located alongside the River Esk on its own branch line.

Platform 2 also has a self-service ticket machine in its shelter, to allow intending passengers to purchase prior to travel or collect pre-paid tickets (the station is otherwise unmanned).

Train running information is also provided via automatic announcements and timetable posters.