Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of Stockholders' Equity to Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				$ 370,638	$ 335,338
Net income		$ 44,657	$ 33,792	79,381	46,318
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		1,084	992	747	765
Net income		45,741	34,784	80,128	47,083
Dividends on common stock				(6,119)	(6,079)
Common stock purchased for treasury				(1,272)	(679)
Employee benefit plans				5,916	4,693
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	[1]	9,115	(3,849)	18,820	723
Tax benefits from share-based compensation					60
Other changes to AOCI				327	162
Other				56	28
Ending Balance		468,494	381,329	468,494	381,329
Non-Controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				13,283	12,757
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest				747	765
Ending Balance		14,030	13,522	14,030	13,522
Total Viad Equity
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				357,355	322,581
Net income				79,381	46,318
Dividends on common stock				(6,119)	(6,079)
Common stock purchased for treasury				(1,272)	(679)
Employee benefit plans				5,916	4,693
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment				18,820	723
Tax benefits from share-based compensation					60
Other changes to AOCI				327	162
Other				56	28
Ending Balance		$ 454,464	$ 367,807	$ 454,464	$ 367,807

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