Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,199,020	$ 1,020,450	$ 3,055,488	$ 2,661,876
Adjusted EBITDA	293,576	277,677	618,295	548,700
Depreciation	(43,874)	(36,791)	(116,854)	(97,627)
Amortization of intangible assets	(9,474)	(5,564)	(21,527)	(17,312)
Stock-based compensation	(15,338)	(13,023)	(48,910)	(39,334)
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other	(2,310)	(14,015)	(5,384)	(18,904)
Realized (gain) loss on revenue hedges	4,510	815	4,594	12,441
Operating income	227,090	209,099	430,214	387,964
Other expense, net	(22,752)	(6,660)	(64,185)	(55,471)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	204,338	202,439	366,029	332,493
Provision for income taxes	(36,150)	(30,599)	(70,145)	(66,617)
Income from continuing operations	168,188	171,840	295,884	265,876
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	1,543	38,566	(22,346)	137,629
Net income	169,731	210,406	273,538	403,505
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,746	(872)	(101)	(1,539)
Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc.	171,477	209,534	273,437	401,966
Leisure
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1,121,267	976,148	2,849,332	2,527,964
Adjusted EBITDA	357,032	344,417	811,307	748,270
Depreciation	(20,323)	(15,649)	(53,580)	(41,915)
Realized (gain) loss on revenue hedges	4,510	815	4,594	12,441
Operating income	341,219	329,583	762,321	718,796
Egencia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	77,753	44,302	206,156	133,912
Adjusted EBITDA	12,446	5,117	40,168	22,410
Depreciation	(3,051)	(2,187)	(7,796)	(6,355)
Operating income	9,395	2,930	32,372	16,055
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	(75,902)	(71,857)	(233,180)	(221,980)
Depreciation	(20,500)	(18,955)	(55,478)	(49,357)
Amortization of intangible assets	(9,474)	(5,564)	(21,527)	(17,312)
Stock-based compensation	(15,338)	(13,023)	(48,910)	(39,334)
Legal reserves, occupancy tax and other	(2,310)	(14,015)	(5,384)	(18,904)
Operating income	$ (123,524)	$ (123,414)	$ (364,479)	$ (346,887)