Saburo,
This is not a stupid question. As you can see from the responses, cyclists have many different ways to get to the start of their trip. I usually try to balance cost, possible damage to the bicycle, and convenience. I have done at least 20 trips where I needed to get my bike to the start. Here are my assessment of the options.
Having your bike packed by your LBS and shipped to an LBS at the start of the trip is probably the safest for your bicycle. I usually don't do this, especially if I am flying because I don't want to take the extra time at the beginning of the trip to shlep to the LBS with my gear to pick up my bike. This usually costs me an extra day since I arrive late in the day.
A hardshell bike case is a great option, but you need to make some arrangements as to what to do with it while you're cycling, which can be a little problematical if you are not ending your trip where you began.
If the start of my tour is "near" to home, a long one-day drive, I prefer to drive. If my tour does not return me to my staring point, I will rent a car. I have found that I can fit my bicycle in the back seat of an intermediate size car by removing the rear wheel. f the tour ends where I began, I ask the motel owner or the camp ground if I can leave my car with them for a few weeks if 'm driving my own car.
If I am flying, I take my bike in an "airline" bicycle box. This is a box that you can buy from most airlines at the airport (although always check ahead of time) and it usually costs about $25. It is a one time use box. It is much bigger than a typical bicycle box, but packing is simpler. You take off your pedals and turn the handle bars. Since the boxes are big when packed, I usually do this at the airport because i can't fit them in my car or even a van. To save me the time of standing in an airport line simply to purchase the box on the day of the trip, I will purchase ahead of time, and bring it with me to the airport. Make sure you have tried to loosen the pedals before you go. When you turn the handlebars you may need to release break or derailleur cables to turn the handle bars. I put a pannier bag lightly stuffed with soft things like clothes n the derailleur side of the rear rack to help cushion it. I also try to put a sleeping bag in the box to reduce luggage on the plane. Remember to take scissors and tape with you to cut the tape and secure the box. Also, note that you can't take the scissors on the plane with you. At the other end I re-assemble by bicycle at the airport. I have put together bicycles at many major airports of the world: Gatwick, DeGaulle, Hamburg, Amsterdam, SFO, Missoula, Portland, Green Bay. Portland's airport actually has a special room with a bike rack and tools to reassemble your bike. Make sure you know how you are leaving the airport. Some are easy: Portland and Washington Reagan both have a bike path right out of the airport. Others you will need to find surface routes. Others, like O'hare, you will need to get on the local train/subway or hire a service.
Depending, Amtrak is an option. Always check with Amtrak ahead of time. In some cases, you can walk your bike in the luggage car. The Pacific Surfliner allows you bring the bike on the train, but you have to make a reservation for your bike, which is free.
As a side note, I have had lubricants and degreasers confiscated from my luggage and you can't take them on board, so I now plan to purchase at the beginning of the bike trip. Good luck on your trip.
