Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 26, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	VIAD CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000884219
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Trading Symbol	VVI
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity File Number	001-11015
Entity Tax Identification Number	361169950
Entity Address, Address Line One	1850 North Central Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1900
Entity Address, City or Town	Phoenix
Entity Address, State or Province	Arizona
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	85004-4565
City Area Code	(602)
Local Phone Number	207-1000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,311,857