Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Feb. 28, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC.
Trading Symbol	GBX
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Central Index Key	0000923120
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,587,696
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-13146
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OR
Entity Tax Identification Number	93-0816972
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Centerpointe Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 200
Entity Address, City or Town	Lake Oswego
Entity Address, State or Province	OR
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	97035
City Area Code	503
Local Phone Number	684-7000