An optical element switching apparatus is provided that includes: a connecting portion connecting a transmitting portion with a traveling body portion via a predetermined elastic body and displacing the traveling body portion in each of first and second directions in a range of an elastic displacement width greater than a unit travel distance; a holding portion applying a force greater than an elastic force occurring in the connecting portion to the traveling body portion shifted to the travel limit position, in a direction opposite to the direction where the elastic force acts, so as to hold the traveling body portion at a travel limit position; and a control portion adapted to control a drive force generating portion to supply a drive force capable of shifting the traveling body portion farther than the travel limit position when the traveling body portion is to be shifted.