Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 974,859		$ 1,199,020		$ 1,039,980		$ 816,488		$ 787,133		$ 1,020,450		$ 913,591		$ 727,835		$ 4,030,347	$ 3,449,009	$ 3,033,645
Operating income	1,510	[1]	227,090	[1]	154,441	[1]	48,683	[1]	91,645		209,099		143,707		35,158		431,724	479,609	500,787
Net income from continuing operations	7,095	[2]	168,188	[2]	106,109	[2]	21,587	[2]	60,465		171,840		88,133		5,903		302,979	326,341	305,497
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	(193)		1,543				(23,889)		10,633		38,566		52,757		46,306		(22,539)	148,148	119,885
Net income (loss) attributable to Expedia, Inc.	$ 6,734		$ 171,477		$ 105,241		$ (3,281)		$ 70,328		$ 209,534		$ 140,393		$ 52,039		$ 280,171	$ 472,294	$ 421,500
Basic earnings per share - continuing operations	$ 0.05	[3]	$ 1.25	[3]	$ 0.79	[3]	$ 0.15	[3]	$ 0.45	[3]	$ 1.26	[3]	$ 0.64	[3]	$ 0.04	[3]	$ 2.26	$ 2.39	$ 2.14
Diluted earnings per share - continuing operations	$ 0.05	[3]	$ 1.20	[3]	$ 0.76	[3]	$ 0.15	[3]	$ 0.44	[3]	$ 1.22	[3]	$ 0.63	[3]	$ 0.04	[3]	$ 2.16	$ 2.34	$ 2.09
Basic earnings per share - Expedia, Inc.	$ 0.05	[3]	$ 1.26	[3]	$ 0.79	[3]	$ (0.02)	[3]	$ 0.53	[3]	$ 1.54	[3]	$ 1.03	[3]	$ 0.38	[3]	$ 2.09	$ 3.48	$ 2.98
Diluted earnings per share - Expedia, Inc.	$ 0.05	[3]	$ 1.21	[3]	$ 0.76	[3]	$ (0.02)	[3]	$ 0.51	[3]	$ 1.50	[3]	$ 1.01	[3]	$ 0.37	[3]	$ 2.00	$ 3.41	$ 2.93

[1] During the fourth quarter of 2012, we recognized $110 million related to monies expected to be paid in advance of litigation related to Hawaii's General Excise Tax.

[2] The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2012 was 144.4% primarily due to lower than previously estimated full year pre-tax income, driven by the tax reserves accrued during the quarter related to Hawaii.

[3] Earnings per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share may not equal the total computed for the year. In addition, for 2011, the per share information attributable to Expedia, Inc. common shareholders reflects the one-for-two reverse stock split in connection with the spin-off.