Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 34,784	$ 7,918	$ 47,083	$ 28,078
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax	[1]	42	(153)	62	(20)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	[1]	(3,849)	(11,491)	723	(23,117)
Change in net actuarial gain, net of tax	[1]	93	139	334	475
Change in prior service cost, net of tax	[1]	(78)	(86)	(234)	(257)
Comprehensive income (loss)		30,992	(3,673)	47,968	5,159
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(992)	(688)	(765)	(515)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Viad		$ 30,000	$ (4,361)	$ 47,203	$ 4,644

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