The line from Wickford to Southend including Prittlewell station was opened on 1 October 1889.

The station is close to Prittlewell Priory and to Southend United's football stadium, Roots Hall.

Prittlewell is the preceding station to Southend Victoria, the eastern terminus of the line; the typical off-peak service to Southend Victoria is three trains per hour.

In the London-bound direction, trains call at all stations along the line to its western terminus of Shenfield, where they join the Great Eastern Main Line to run non-stop to Stratford and Liverpool Street.

The typical off-peak service towards London is also three trains per hour (one of which calls additionally at Romford).