Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of Stockholders' Equity to Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 347,702		$ 356,543
Net income (loss)	(2,120)		24,419
Dividends on common stock	(2,000)		(32,517)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(4,702)		(1,042)
Employee benefit plans	1,786		2,052
Tax benefits from shared-based compensation	283
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax(1)	(17,579)	[1]	(6,733)	[1]
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax(1)	241
ESOP allocation adjustment			44
Other	(97)		47
Ending Balance	323,514		342,813
Total Viad Equity
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	335,387		347,441
Net income (loss)	(2,056)		21,882
Dividends on common stock	(2,000)		(32,517)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(4,702)		(1,042)
Employee benefit plans	1,786		2,052
Tax benefits from shared-based compensation	283
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax(1)	(17,579)		(6,733)
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax(1)	241
ESOP allocation adjustment			44
Other	(97)		46
Ending Balance	311,263		331,173
Non-Controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	12,315		9,102
Net income (loss)	(64)		2,537
Dividends on common stock	0		0
Common stock purchased for treasury	0		0
Employee benefit plans	0		0
Tax benefits from shared-based compensation	0
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax(1)	0		0
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax(1)	0
ESOP allocation adjustment			0
Other	0		1
Ending Balance	$ 12,251		$ 11,640

[1] The tax effect on other comprehensive income (loss) is not significant.