Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income of Viad's postretirement benefit plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive income
Reversal of amortization of net actuarial loss	$ 416
Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost of pension and post retirement benefit plans
Service cost	66	104	121
Interest cost	1,030	1,150	1,189
Expected return on plan assets	(400)	(406)	(563)
Recognized net actuarial loss	583	491	457
Net periodic benefit cost	1,279	1,339	1,204
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive income
Net actuarial loss	2,565	(1,942)	(1,589)
Reversal of amortization item
Net actuarial loss	(583)	(491)	(457)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	(3,148)	1,451	1,132
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	(1,869)	2,790	2,336
US Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit cost of pension and post retirement benefit plans
Service cost	156	146	128
Interest cost	663	814	868
Expected return on plan assets	0	(74)	(135)
Amortization of prior service credit	(902)	(1,113)	(1,277)
Recognized net actuarial loss	518	547	533
Net periodic benefit cost	435	320	117
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive income
Net actuarial loss	1,496	(224)	(24)
Prior service credit	(40)	0	0
Reversal of amortization item
Net actuarial loss	(518)	(547)	(533)
Prior service cost	(902)	(1,113)	(1,277)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	(1,152)	790	768
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	(717)	1,110	885
Foreign Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost of pension and post retirement benefit plans
Service cost	534	491	366
Interest cost	702	737	729
Expected return on plan assets	(698)	(622)	(665)
Recognized net actuarial loss	248	201	73
Net periodic benefit cost	786	807	503
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive income
Net actuarial loss	1,214	(958)	(1,936)
Reversal of amortization of net actuarial loss	(248)	(201)	(73)
Reversal of amortization item
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	(1,462)	757	1,863
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$ (676)	$ 1,564	$ 2,366