It is located about 0.6 miles (1 km) south of the city centre, in the St Stephen's area.

It is the terminus of the Abbey Line from Watford Junction, with services operated by London Northwestern Railway.

Restoration of the passing loop at Bricket Wood was being considered by the local authorities and Network Rail but was turned down in early 2008; this would have facilitated trains running every 30 minutes.

The passing loop proposal was being reconsidered in 2020 as part of the UK government’s £500-million 'Restoring Your Railway Fund' to re-open many of the lines and stations that were closed in the 1960s.

All services at St Albans Abbey are operated by London Northwestern Railway using Class 350 EMUs.