In 1871, Saratov was connected to neighboring provinces by railway due to the completion of the Tambov-Saratov railway. The project was funded by the Saratov Zemstvo and like-minded individuals from the Kirsanov district. That same year, a station was built according to a standard design from the railway department.

Soon, the railway linked Saratov with Moscow and became part of the Ryazan-Ural railway, whose management was located in Saratov. The growth of freight and passenger traffic led to the station's facilities becoming insufficient.

In 1898, the railway department commissioned a reconstruction project for the station, executed by architect Pyotr Mitrofanovich Zybin. Since 1895, he had been working as the senior architect of the technical department of the Ryazan-Ural railway in Saratov. This was his first major project in the city. Later, he created such notable buildings as the church-chapel at the Archiepiscopal residence, the city public bank building, and the eye disease clinic.

By the fall of 1900, the renovated station was opened to the public. Side extensions were added: on the north side for the first and second class hall and reception rooms, and on the south side, a third class hall. The station restaurant became one of the best in the city, offering signature dishes and live music. The building featured clocks and towers with weather vanes, which were memorable to the older generation of Saratov residents. The station became a decoration of the city and was often depicted on postcards.

Working on the railway was considered prestigious, and employees wore uniforms. To access the station and platform, passengers presented tickets, while those seeing them off purchased platform tickets. Announcements about trains were made by the platform attendant, ringing a bell.

During the Soviet era, freight and passenger transport increased, and suburban trains appeared. The station again could not cope with the load. Ticket offices and station services were moved to other buildings. From 1973 to 1977, the station underwent a major reconstruction, although many mistakenly believe it was completely demolished and rebuilt.

The reconstruction project was carried out by the institute 'Lengiprotans.' Construction enterprises from Saratov participated in the work. Part of the station was demolished, while the remaining part was raised and expanded, increasing the area to 10,000 sq.m. The halls could accommodate 3,200 passengers, which was 2.5 times more than before.

The facade was replaced with concrete and glass, reflecting the fashionable trends of the time. The newspaper 'Kommunist' wrote that concrete, glass, and aluminum gave the building strict forms and lightness. The station expanded and rose upwards, stepping onto the Station Square.

For transit passengers, ten rest rooms, a mother and child room, and playrooms were opened. The expanded section featured 20 ticket offices and waiting rooms. The station provided all necessary services: telegraph, pharmacy, medical point, hairdresser, and buffets. Marble, granite, and colored limestone were used in the decoration. Fountains were installed inside.

During the reconstruction, the equipment was modernized. Automation controlled information devices and ventilation. The platforms were also refurbished. Now, passengers could descend to the trains through a tunnel passage. There is a service tunnel for vehicles under the platforms.

Since the mid-2000s, reconstruction projects for the station have been developed. It was included in the federal program of Russian Railways, but the plans were revised, and the station underwent only minor internal reorganization. The awning over the entrance was replaced.

Discussions about modernizing the station continue. In 2016, a project for the reconstruction of Station Square with underground parking and a passage was presented by the institute 'Saratovgrazhdanproekt.' In 2017, the department prepared its reconstruction project, which has already begun to be implemented.