Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 3,449,009		$ 3,033,645		$ 2,743,051
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue	761,272	[1]	685,487	[1]	602,682	[1]
Selling and marketing (including $211,018, $171,110 and $139,714 with a related party)	1,474,641	[1]	1,234,781	[1]	1,061,097	[1]
Technology and content	380,999	[1]	308,780	[1]	282,634	[1]
General and administrative	309,708	[1]	258,604	[1]	272,853	[1]
Amortization of intangible assets	21,925		22,514		23,875
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other	20,855		22,692		67,999
Restructuring charges					34,168
Operating income	479,609		500,787		397,743
Other income (expense):
Interest income	20,218		7,052		6,189
Interest expense	(90,718)		(66,428)		(49,452)
Other, net	(7,037)		(15,572)		(34,704)
Total other expense, net	(77,537)		(74,948)		(77,967)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	402,072		425,839		319,776
Provision for income taxes	(75,731)		(120,342)		(101,502)
Income from continuing operations	326,341		305,497		218,274
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	148,262		120,063		85,349
Net income	474,603		425,560		303,623
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,309)		(4,060)		(4,097)
Net income	472,294		421,500		299,526
Amounts attributable to Expedia, Inc.:
Income from continuing operations	324,146		301,615		213,965
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	148,148		119,885		85,561
Net income	$ 472,294		$ 421,500		$ 299,526
Earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Expedia, Inc. available to common stockholders:
Basic	$ 2.39		$ 2.14		$ 1.48
Diluted	$ 2.34		$ 2.09		$ 1.46
Earnings per share attributable to Expedia, Inc. available to common stockholders:
Basic	$ 3.48		$ 2.98		$ 2.08
Diluted	$ 3.41		$ 2.93		$ 2.05
Shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic	135,888		141,233		144,107
Diluted	138,702		144,014		146,071
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.56		$ 0.56

[1] Includes stock-based compensation as follows: Cost of revenue for year ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were: $2,971, $2,401, and $2,285 in thousands respectively. Selling and marketing for year ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were: $13,085, $11,766, and $10,555 in thousands respectively. Technology and content for year ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were: $13,505, $11,665, and $13,424 in thousands respectively. General and administrative for year ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were: $34,286, $26,675, and $29,492 in thousands respectively.