A variable valve timing apparatus includes a variable valve timing mechanism that includes a first rotating body and a second rotating body that are rotating bodies that rotate about the same rotational axis; advance chambers and retard chambers that serve as hydraulic pressure chambers into which hydraulic fluid is supplied from an oil pump; and a discharge passage that discharges hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pressure chambers. At least one of the hydraulic pressure chambers that is communicated with the discharge passage in a position vertically higher than the rotational axis when the first rotating body and the second rotating body have stopped rotating at a given phase, and from which hydraulic fluid is discharged into the discharge passage, is placed in a state constantly open to ambient air regardless of the phase at which the first rotating body and the second rotating body have stopped.