Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income of Viad's Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 8	$ 54	$ 56	$ 74
Interest cost	197	257	604	774
Expected return on plan assets	(55)	(62)	(162)	(192)
Recognized net actuarial loss	106	105	336	318
Net periodic benefit cost	256	354	834	974
US Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	22	5	69	74
Interest cost	92	126	311	429
Amortization of prior service credit	(107)	(125)	(323)	(377)
Recognized net actuarial loss	3	46	123	221
Net periodic benefit cost	10	52	180	347
Foreign Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	138	123	396	368
Interest cost	120	124	348	368
Expected return on plan assets	(156)	(142)	(450)	(421)
Recognized net actuarial loss	48	1	137	2
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 150	$ 106	$ 431	$ 317