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	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost of pension and post retirement benefit plans
Service cost	$ 25	$ 20	$ 76	$ 65
Interest cost	237	263	763	809
Expected return on plan assets	(93)	(107)	(285)	(327)
Amortization of prior service credit	0	0	0	0
Recognized net actuarial loss	100	101	368	305
Net periodic benefit cost	269	277	922	852
US Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit cost of pension and post retirement benefit plans
Service cost	27	11	114	105
Interest cost	148	140	464	517
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service credit	(138)	(149)	(414)	(445)
Recognized net actuarial loss	123	16	396	225
Net periodic benefit cost	160	18	560	402
Foreign Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost of pension and post retirement benefit plans
Service cost	123	104	382	313
Interest cost	124	158	384	478
Expected return on plan assets	(143)	(161)	(443)	(484)
Amortization of prior service credit	0	0	0	0
Recognized net actuarial loss	2	3	5	8
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 106	$ 104	$ 328	$ 315