Stockholder's Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders' equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest
Total Viad shareholder's equity, Beginning balance			$ 377,894
Noncontrolling interest, Beginning Balance			8,285
Total shareholder's equity, Beginning balance			386,179	386,711
Net income attributable to Viad	6,090	4,485	7,117	14,272
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	(250)	(197)	(462)	(363)
Net income	5,840	4,288	6,655	13,909
Dividends paid on common stock			(1,623)	(1,630)
Common stock purchased for treasury			(1,000)	(679)
Employee benefit plans			2,279	1,931
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(3,390)	2,059	996	5,612
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	(42)	3	51	61
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss			5	13
ESOP allocation adjustment			650	620
Other			(3)	9
Total Viad shareholder's equity, Ending balance	386,367		386,367
Noncontrolling interest, Ending Balance	7,822		7,822
Total shareholder's equity, Ending balance	394,189	406,557	394,189	406,557
Shareholder's Equity [Member]
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders' equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest
Total Viad shareholder's equity, Beginning balance			377,894	378,959
Net income attributable to Viad			7,117	14,272
Dividends paid on common stock			(1,623)	(1,630)
Common stock purchased for treasury			(1,000)	(679)
Employee benefit plans			2,279	1,931
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax			996	5,612
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax			51	61
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss			5	13
ESOP allocation adjustment			650	620
Other			(2)	9
Total Viad shareholder's equity, Ending balance	386,367	399,168	386,367	399,168
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders' equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest
Noncontrolling interest, Beginning Balance			8,285	7,752
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total			(462)	(363)
Other			(1)
Noncontrolling interest, Ending Balance	$ 7,822	$ 7,389	$ 7,822	$ 7,389