Share-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jan. 04, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation charges	$ 1,600	$ 600	$ 6,200		$ 1,200
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$ 21,200		$ 21,200	$ 21,200
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, period for recognition			2 years 7 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense associated with plan modification			$ 2,042		$ 0
Share price (in USD per share)	$ 22.02		$ 22.02	$ 22.02
Intrinsic value of options exercisable	$ 39,200		$ 39,200	$ 39,200
Intrinsic value of options outstanding	39,200		$ 39,200	39,200
Market-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of awards granted (in shares)			524,000
Vesting period			3 years
Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Intrinsic value of vested awards			$ 23,100
Intrinsic value of outstanding awards	$ 39,200		$ 39,200	$ 39,200
Share price (in USD per share)	$ 22.02		$ 22.02	$ 22.02
Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized (in shares)						9,000,000
Amount accrued for dividend equivalents				$ 300
One to Four Year Vesting Period | Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of awards granted (in shares)			431,751
Three Year Vesting Period | Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of awards granted (in shares)			331,250
One Year Vesting Period | Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of awards granted (in shares)			42,188
Vesting period			1 year
Minimum | One to Four Year Vesting Period | Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			1 year
Maximum | One to Four Year Vesting Period | Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			4 years