Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Viad	$ (21,196)	$ 19,976	$ 6,090	$ 1,027	$ (6,307)	$ 1,245	$ 4,485	$ 9,787	$ 5,897	$ 9,210	$ 443
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares									(157)	(248)	(11)
Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders									5,740	8,962	432
Denominator:
Weighted-average outstanding common shares									19,701	19,719	19,955
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ (1.07)	$ 0.99	$ 0.30	$ 0.05	$ (0.32)	$ 0.06	$ 0.22	$ 0.48	$ 0.29	$ 0.45	$ 0.02
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Viad	$ (21,196)	$ 19,976	$ 6,090	$ 1,027	$ (6,307)	$ 1,245	$ 4,485	$ 9,787	$ 5,897	$ 9,210	$ 443
Denominator:
Weighted-average outstanding common shares									19,701	19,719	19,955
Additional dilutive shares related to share- based compensation									304	336	322
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive shares									20,005	20,055	20,277
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ (1.07)	$ 0.99	$ 0.30	$ 0.05	$ (0.32)	$ 0.06	$ 0.22	$ 0.48	$ 0.29	$ 0.45	$ 0.02