Share-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jan. 04, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation charges	$ 2,100	$ 600	$ 8,300		$ 1,800
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$ 18,700		$ 18,700	$ 18,700
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, period for recognition			2 years 6 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)	$ 25.02		$ 25.02	$ 25.02
Intrinsic value of options exercisable	$ 36,700		$ 36,700	$ 36,700
Intrinsic value of options outstanding	36,700		$ 36,700	36,700
Market-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of awards granted (in shares)			532,750
Vesting period			3 years
Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Intrinsic value of vested awards			$ 25,900
Intrinsic value of awards outstanding	$ 25,900		$ 25,900	$ 25,900
Share price (in USD per share)	$ 25.02		$ 25.02	$ 25.02
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)			432,751
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
Vesting period			3 years
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
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				$ 500