Income Per Share - Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Computations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Viad	$ 11,855	$ 19,976	$ 26,173	$ 27,093
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares	(264)	(532)	(605)	(735)
Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders	11,591	19,444	25,568	26,358
Denominator:
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,868	19,721	19,839	19,694
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation	323	296	349	299
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive shares	20,191	20,017	20,188	19,993
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,868	19,721	19,839	19,694
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.58	$ 0.99	$ 1.29	$ 1.34
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Viad	$ 11,855	$ 19,976	$ 26,173	$ 27,093
Denominator:
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,868	19,721	19,839	19,694
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation	323	296	349	299
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive shares	20,191	20,017	20,188	19,993
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,868	19,721	19,839	19,694
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.58	$ 0.99	$ 1.29	$ 1.34