Name:	vrtx_CashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the cost of cash and cash equivalents and debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.

No definition available.

Name:	vrtx_CashCashEquivalentsAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the gross unrealized gains for cash, cash equivalents and securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value over the carrying value as of the reporting date.

No definition available.

Name:	vrtx_CashCashEquivalentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the gross unrealized losses for cash, cash equivalents and securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value over the fair value as of the reporting date.

No definition available.

Name:	vrtx_CashCashEquivalentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesUnrealizedLossGross
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	vrtx_ScheduleOfCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Cash and Cash Equivalents

No definition available.

Name:	vrtx_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountCashandCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis=vrtx_BioAxoneBiosciencesIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	vrtx_ScheduleOfCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis=us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	vrtx_ScheduleOfCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis=us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	vrtx_ScheduleOfCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis=us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	vrtx_ScheduleOfCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis=us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	vrtx_ScheduleOfCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis=vrtx_CashAndMoneyMarketFundsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	vrtx_ScheduleOfCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis=vrtx_CorporateDebtSecuritiesDueAfterOneYearThroughFiveYearsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: