That is far from a given. I typically have found shipping a bit more expensive and a bit more of a hassle at least for getting to the tour start. Expense depends greatly on which airline you choose in the US, I am less knowledgeable about Canadian air travel, but it sounds like the picture is better than in the US.

As far as trouble on the trip to the start of the tour I have found shipping to be more trouble as you have to ship the bike to somewhere. That means figuring out where to ship it to and then getting there at a time that they are open. I like to just pick up the bike at the baggage check and ride out of the airport.

On the trip home from at our I do find shipping to be less trouble. I like being able to just leave the bike at a bike shop who will pack and ship it for me. That winds up costing more but it is pretty nice to just be done dealing with the bike at the end of a tour.