Income Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Viad	$ (5,889)	$ 29,620	$ 6,742	$ 21,882	$ (4,618)	$ 11,855	$ 6,253	$ 8,065	$ 52,354	$ 21,555	$ 5,897
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares									(970)	(485)	(157)
Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders									51,384	21,070	5,740
Denominator:
Weighted-average outstanding common shares									19,804	19,850	19,701
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders (USD per share)	$ (0.30)	$ 1.48	$ 0.33	$ 1.08	$ (0.23)	$ 0.58	$ 0.31	$ 0.40	$ 2.59	$ 1.06	$ 0.29
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Viad	$ (5,889)	$ 29,620	$ 6,742	$ 21,882	$ (4,618)	$ 11,855	$ 6,253	$ 8,065	$ 52,354	$ 21,555	$ 5,897
Denominator:
Weighted-average outstanding common shares									19,804	19,850	19,701
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation									329	415	304
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive shares									20,133	20,265	20,005
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders (USD per share)	$ (0.30)	$ 1.48	$ 0.33	$ 1.08	$ (0.23)	$ 0.58	$ 0.31	$ 0.40	$ 2.59	$ 1.06	$ 0.29