Loss Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Income (loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to Viad (diluted)		$ (86,585)	$ (17,777)
Adjustment to the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		(126)	(87)
Net loss allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)		$ (86,711)	$ (17,864)
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,215	20,076
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares		20,215	20,076
Basic loss attributable to Viad common stockholders		$ (4.29)	$ (0.89)
Diluted loss attributable to Viad common stockholders	[1]	$ (4.29)	$ (0.89)

[1] ^{Diluted loss per share amount cannot exceed basic loss per share.}