Loss Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to Viad (diluted)		$ (6,983)	$ (2,056)
Net loss allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)		$ (6,983)	$ (2,056)
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average outstanding common shares		19,914	19,736
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares		19,914	19,736
Basic loss attributable to Viad common stockholders		$ (0.35)	$ (0.10)
Diluted loss attributable to Viad common stockholders	[1]	$ (0.35)	$ (0.10)

[1] Diluted loss per share amount cannot exceed basic income per share with a per share loss.