Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of Stockholders' Equity to Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				$ 335,338	$ 347,702
Net income (loss)		$ 19,509	$ 22,389	12,526	20,333
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(65)	(109)	(227)	(173)
Net income		19,444	22,280	12,299	20,160
Dividends on common stock				(4,050)	(4,008)
Common stock purchased for treasury				(651)	(5,969)
Employee benefit plans				3,145	4,790
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	[1]	(3,470)	5,953	4,572	(11,626)
Tax benefits from share-based compensation				39	232
Other changes to AOCI				105	298
Other				(17)	(2)
Ending Balance		350,780	351,577	350,780	351,577
Non-Controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				12,757	12,315
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest				(227)	(173)
Other					(1)
Ending Balance		12,530	12,141	12,530	12,141
Total Viad Equity
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				322,581	335,387
Net income (loss)				12,526	20,333
Dividends on common stock				(4,050)	(4,008)
Common stock purchased for treasury				(651)	(5,969)
Employee benefit plans				3,145	4,790
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment				4,572	(11,626)
Tax benefits from share-based compensation				39	232
Other changes to AOCI				105	298
Other				(17)	(1)
Ending Balance		$ 338,250	$ 339,436	$ 338,250	$ 339,436

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