Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Viad's Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Foreign Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$ 530	$ 488	$ 503
Interest cost	492	488	505
Expected return on plan assets	(602)	(558)	(583)
Recognized net actuarial loss	155	162	160
Settlement	777
Net periodic benefit cost	1,352	580	585
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	(106)	158	182
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(155)	(162)	(160)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(261)	(4)	22
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	1,091	576	607
Pension Plans | Domestic Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	64	98	101
Interest cost	803	1,032	1,018
Expected return on plan assets	(176)	(256)	(380)
Recognized net actuarial loss	433	423	492
Net periodic benefit cost	1,124	1,297	1,231
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	114	1	(963)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(433)	(423)	(492)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(319)	(422)	(1,455)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	805	875	(224)
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Domestic Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	92	99	152
Interest cost	413	573	619
Amortization of prior service credit	(431)	(503)	(552)
Recognized net actuarial loss	164	295	528
Net periodic benefit cost	238	464	747
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	237	(790)	(1,248)
Prior service credit	816	73	3
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(164)	(295)	(528)
Prior service credit	431	503	552
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	1,320	(509)	(1,221)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 1,558	$ (45)	$ (474)