A holder transport apparatus comprising: (a) an elevator device including a support plate that supports, in an erect state, a holder holding a sample container and moves along a predetermined ascending and descending path (A11, A12); and (b) a transport mechanism that conveys the holder along a transport line , which intersects with the ascending and descending path (A11, A12), (c) wherein the transport mechanism is arranged adjacent to the support plate present in the ascending and descending path (A11, A12) of the elevator device , characterized in that (d) two or more stages of transport lines are arranged vertically, (e) an end portion of each transport line and the ascending and descending path (A11, A12) of the elevator device are arranged adjacent to each other, (f) for each transport line the holder transport apparatus further comprises a moving device which presses the holder in a transport direction, and moves the holder between the support plate and the transport line , (g) for each transport line the transport mechanism comprises a guide rail arranged on a lateral side of the holder along the transport line , and a conveyance member that supports a bottom portion of the holder and moves the holder in the transport direction, (h) the support plate comprises a plate member that supports the bottom portion of the holder , and a guide member arranged on the lateral side of the holder , and (i) a space between the support plate arranged at a predetermined stop position and an end portion of a transport path of the transport mechanism is narrower than a length of the holder in a direction of the transport path. (a) an elevator device including a support plate that supports, in an erect state, a holder holding a sample container and moves along a predetermined ascending and descending path (A11, A12); and (b) a transport mechanism that conveys the holder along a transport line , which intersects with the ascending and descending path (A11, A12), (c) wherein the transport mechanism is arranged adjacent to the support plate present in the ascending and descending path (A11, A12) of the elevator device , characterized in that (d) two or more stages of transport lines are arranged vertically, (e) an end portion of each transport line and the ascending and descending path (A11, A12) of the elevator device are arranged adjacent to each other, (f) for each transport line the holder transport apparatus further comprises a moving device which presses the holder in a transport direction, and moves the holder between the support plate and the transport line , (g) for each transport line the transport mechanism comprises a guide rail arranged on a lateral side of the holder along the transport line , and a conveyance member that supports a bottom portion of the holder and moves the holder in the transport direction, (h) the support plate comprises a plate member that supports the bottom portion of the holder , and a guide member arranged on the lateral side of the holder , and (i) a space between the support plate arranged at a predetermined stop position and an end portion of a transport path of the transport mechanism is narrower than a length of the holder in a direction of the transport path. <EOS>