A work transfer apparatus for transferring a work within a press or between presses is provided which includes at least a pair of lift beams and carriers movable along a longitudinal direction of the lift beams. A pair of guides are provided on the carriers, and a pair of sub-carriers are movable along the guides in a carrier moving direction by a linear motor which moves the pair of sub-carriers in the carrier moving direction. A cross bar is laterally spanned between the sub-carriers and is provided with a work holding unit which is capable of holding the work.