Hello, I live in australia and have swiss citizenship through grandparents.

I will be travelling across Europe later this year, and was wondering if it is worth me obtaining a swiss passport (about $150?). Is it likely to make my travel any easier or quicker when crossing countries?

Since Switzerland isn't part of the EU, would I ever be allowed to live/work in other European countries with a swiss passport? If so, for how long?

How do I go about obtaining a swiss passport? Do I visit my local swiss embassy and apply there?

Any other advantages of having a swiss passport, or should I not bother unless I want to live there?

Having a Swiss passport is almost the same as having an EU one, so it will definitely make your life easier in Europe. You'll be able to work in any EU country indefinitely. You can also, e.g. go to the UK, live there five years and pick up an British passport.

A possible downside is that you might be eligible for military service.

How to get your passport has already been discussed - I suggest searching the forum.

So even if i'm still living in Australia and I obtained a swiss passport, I could still be eligible for military service? So this could mean that they would force me to live there just for the service?

If only travelling Europe, how does it make it easier than an Australian passport? Are we talking about a time saving of 10 minutes or a few hours?

I also just read that it is only compulsory until the age of 26. Seeing as though i'm 28, would that mean it wouldn't be compulsory if I were to move over there now?

No military service for you then.

If you have an EU/Swiss passport, you can live and work in any EU country (or Switzerland, obviously). Much of the EU (and CH) is part of Schengen, which means no border checks - don't know how long that's going to last, but it's the situation at the moment. For those not part of schengen there are often two queues at passport control - EU/CH and non-EU. Non-EU is rather more rigorous and can take far longer to get through.

Ok, so I guess its worth getting a swiss passport just to save time in the queues?

Are there any other benefits to it? eg cheaper rail travel in Switzerland or anything like that?

A Swiss national pays the same as others, unless you are a pensioner in CH.

Yes. In addition to being able to live and work anywhere in the EU, you'll be able to vote in Swiss elections. And when you become incapable of looking after yourself, your Hiemat will take on that responsibility.