Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of the Carrying Amounts of Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Viad and the Noncontrolling Interest (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total Viad shareholder's Equity, Beginning balance			$ 388,061
Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance			8,971
Total shareholders' Equity, Beginning balance			397,032	386,179
Net income	11,855	19,976	26,173	27,093
Net income	893	1,080	425	618
Net income	12,748	21,056	26,598	27,711
Dividends on common stock			(6,095)	(3,649)
Common stock purchased for treasury			(1,294)	(1,038)
Employee benefit plans			3,485	3,370
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	5,331	6,229	(6,092)	7,225
Unrealized gain on investments	62	15	117	66
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss			91	(35)
ESOP allocation adjustment			850	1,150
Other
Total Viad shareholders' Equity, Ending balance	405,296		405,296
Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance	9,396		9,396
Total shareholders' Equity, Ending balance	414,692	420,979	414,692	420,979
Total Viad Shareholder's Equity [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total Viad shareholder's Equity, Beginning balance			388,061	377,894
Net income			26,173	27,093
Dividends on common stock			(6,095)	(3,649)
Common stock purchased for treasury			(1,294)	(1,038)
Employee benefit plans			3,485	3,370
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment			(6,092)	7,225
Unrealized gain on investments			117	66
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss			91	(35)
ESOP allocation adjustment			850	1,150
Other				1
Total Viad shareholders' Equity, Ending balance	405,296	412,077	405,296	412,077
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance			8,971	8,285
Net income			425	618
Dividends on common stock
Common stock purchased for treasury
Employee benefit plans
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
Unrealized gain on investments
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss
ESOP allocation adjustment
Other				(1)
Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance	$ 9,396	$ 8,902	$ 9,396	$ 8,902