Earnings Per Share - Basic EPS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Basic EPS:
Net income attributable to TSYS common shareholders	$ 162,760	$ 142,435	$ 324,367	$ 284,276
Basic EPS	$ 0.92	$ 0.78	$ 1.83	$ 1.56
Common Stock
Basic EPS:
Net income attributable to TSYS common shareholders	$ 162,760	$ 142,435	$ 324,367	$ 284,276
Less income allocated to nonvested awards	(3)	(59)	(41)	(233)
Net income allocated to common stock for EPS calculation	$ 162,757	$ 142,376	$ 324,326	$ 284,043
Weighted average shares outstanding	176,962	182,355	177,697	181,992
Less participating securities	(3)	(76)	(22)	(150)
Average common shares outstanding	176,959	182,279	177,675	181,842
Basic EPS	$ 0.92	$ 0.78	$ 1.83	$ 1.56