Opened in 1871, the station is a junction between the Košice–Žilina railway, which is part of Slovakia's main east–west rail corridor, and a 12 km (7.5 mi) spur line to Levoča.

The station is currently owned by Železnice Slovenskej republiky (ŽSR); train services are operated by Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK).

Spišská Nová Ves railway station is situated at J. Fabiniho, northwest of the town centre.

[1] Regular passenger services on the spur line were suspended in February 2003, despite protests from residents and local officials, especially in Levoča.

[1] On 1 April 2010, a locomotive ran into a stationary passenger train at the station after its brakes failed during a test ride, killing three people and seriously injuring eight others.