Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of Stockholders' Equity to Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018		Mar. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		$ 442,937	[1]	$ 370,638
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad		(9,387)		6,777
Net loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		(364)		(264)
Net income (loss)		(9,751)		6,513
Dividends on common stock		(2,046)		(2,038)
Common stock purchased for treasury		(868)		(1,204)
Employee benefit plans		1,938		1,779
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	[2]	(3,109)		2,345
Other changes to AOCI		445		95
Other		(67)		(92)
Ending Balance		429,479		378,036
Non-Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		13,806		13,283
Net loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		(364)		(264)
Ending Balance		13,442		13,019
Total Viad Equity
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		429,131		357,355
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad		(9,387)		6,777
Dividends on common stock		(2,046)		(2,038)
Common stock purchased for treasury		(868)		(1,204)
Employee benefit plans		1,938		1,779
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment		(3,109)		2,345
Other changes to AOCI		445		95
Other		(67)		(92)
Ending Balance		$ 416,037		$ 365,017

[1] The cumulative effect of initially applying Topic 606 as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was determined to be immaterial and therefore no adjustment was made.

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