There are also two spur tracks which run south from Preston Park through Cliftonville Tunnel to Hove.

In 1881 the railway murderer Percy Lefroy Mapleton alighted at the station after having killed Isaac Frederick Gold and dumped his body in Balcombe tunnel.

Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club's former home, Withdean Stadium is located a short walk from the station, and for this reason, during its tenancy of the stadium, the club offered free travel vouchers with its match tickets — allowing fans to travel from Brighton to Preston Park without there being an apparent surcharge of the train fare.

In addition, the station is served by a number of peak hour Gatwick Express services which usually pass through Preston Park.

These services run non-stop from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria and are operated using Class 387 EMUs.