Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of Stockholders' Equity to Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		$ 335,338	$ 347,702
Net income (loss)		(6,983)	(2,056)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(162)	(64)
Net income (loss)		(7,145)	(2,120)
Dividends on common stock		(2,024)	(2,000)
Common stock purchased for treasury		(651)	(4,702)
Employee benefit plans		1,449	1,786
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	[1]	8,042	(17,579)
Tax benefits from share-based compensation		28	283
Other changes to AOCI		72	241
Other		(24)	(97)
Ending Balance		335,085	323,514
Non-Controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		12,757	12,315
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(162)	(64)
Ending Balance		12,595	12,251
Total Viad Equity
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		322,581	335,387
Net income (loss)		(6,983)	(2,056)
Dividends on common stock		(2,024)	(2,000)
Common stock purchased for treasury		(651)	(4,702)
Employee benefit plans		1,449	1,786
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment		8,042	(17,579)
Tax benefits from share-based compensation		28	283
Other changes to AOCI		72	241
Other		(24)	(97)
Ending Balance		$ 322,490	$ 311,263

[1] The tax effect on other comprehensive income (loss) is not significant.