Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Capital	Retained Deficit	Unearned Employee Benefits and Other	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Common Stock in Treasury	Total Viad Equity	Non-Controlling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 386,179	$ 37,402	$ 599,188	$ (13,256)	$ (2,951)	$ 21,893	$ (264,382)	$ 377,894	$ 8,285
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	6,583			5,897				5,897	686
Dividends on common stock	(5,674)			(5,674)				(5,674)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(1,656)						(1,656)	(1,656)
Employee benefit plans	248		(9,456)				9,704	248
ESOP allocation adjustment	1,647				1,647			1,647
Share-based compensation-equity awards	4,036		4,036					4,036
Tax deficiencies from share-based compensation	96		96					96
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	7,510					7,510		7,510
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	53					53		53
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(1,311)					(1,311)		(1,311)
Amortization of prior service credit	(680)					(680)		(680)
Other, net	1		(2)	(1)	3		1	1
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	397,032	37,402	593,862	(13,034)	(1,301)	27,465	(256,333)	388,061	8,971
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	21,686			21,555				21,555	131
Dividends on common stock	(58,914)			(58,914)				(58,914)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(1,328)						(1,328)	(1,328)
Employee benefit plans	778		(6,456)				7,234	778
ESOP allocation adjustment	1,280				1,280			1,280
Share-based compensation-equity awards	3,053		3,053					3,053
Tax deficiencies from share-based compensation	404		404					404
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	(11,311)					(11,311)		(11,311)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	154					154		154
Amortization of net actuarial loss	4,244					4,244		4,244
Amortization of prior service credit	(535)					(535)		(535)
Other, net	0		(1)	0			1	0
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	356,543	37,402	590,862	(50,393)	(21)	20,017	(250,426)	347,441	9,102
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	55,567			52,354				52,354	3,213
Dividends on common stock	(38,387)			(38,387)				(38,387)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(12,321)						(12,321)	(12,321)
Employee benefit plans	4,324		(11,334)				15,658	4,324
ESOP allocation adjustment	44				44			44
Share-based compensation-equity awards	2,319		2,319					2,319
Tax benefits from share-based compensation	217		217					217
Tax deficiencies from share-based compensation	461
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	(18,431)					(18,431)		(18,431)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	42					42		42
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(2,568)							(2,568)
Amortization of prior service credit	351							351
Other, net	2		2	(1)			1	2
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 347,702	$ 37,402	$ 582,066	$ (36,427)	$ 23	$ (589)	$ (247,088)	$ 335,387	$ 12,315