Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Net Amount Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Domestic Plans | Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	$ 3,850	$ 4,611
Domestic Plans | Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	9,857	9,825
Domestic Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	13,807	13,619
Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	28	(88)
Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	2,582	2,486
Non Current Assets | Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	(15)	(88)
Other current liabilities | Domestic Plans | Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	809	699
Other current liabilities | Domestic Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	1,112	1,094
Other current liabilities | Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	188	170
Non Current Liabilities | Domestic Plans | Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	3,850	4,611
Non Current Liabilities | Domestic Plans | Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	9,048	9,126
Non Current Liabilities | Domestic Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	12,695	12,525
Non Current Liabilities | Foreign Pension Plans | Funded Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	43
Non Current Liabilities | Foreign Pension Plans | Unfunded Pension Plans
Net amounts recognized in Viad's consolidated balance sheets under the caption Pension and postretirement benefits
Net amount recognized	$ 2,394	$ 2,316