Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of Stockholders' Equity to Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				$ 442,937	[1]	$ 370,638
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad		$ 23,490	$ 27,947	14,103		34,724
Net loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest		(33)	(73)	(397)		(337)
Net income (loss)				13,706		34,387
Dividends on common stock				(4,095)		(4,077)
Common stock purchased for treasury				(10,085)		(1,204)
Employee benefit plans				4,211		3,982
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	[2]	(8,095)	7,360	(11,204)		9,705
Other changes to AOCI				669		243
Other				42		47
Ending Balance		436,181	413,721	436,181		413,721
Non-Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				13,806		13,283
Net loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interest				(397)		(337)
Ending Balance		13,409	12,946	13,409		12,946
Total Viad Equity
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				429,131		357,355
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad				14,103		34,724
Dividends on common stock				(4,095)		(4,077)
Common stock purchased for treasury				(10,085)		(1,204)
Employee benefit plans				4,211		3,982
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment				(11,204)		9,705
Other changes to AOCI				669		243
Other				42		47
Ending Balance		$ 422,772	$ 400,775	$ 422,772		$ 400,775

[1] We determined that the cumulative effect of initially applying Topic 606 as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was not material, and therefore we made no adjustment.

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