Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Activity in AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (186,924)	$ (149,455)	$ (109,979)
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Americold Realty Trust	(12,285)	10,314	(1,242)
Ending balance	706,755	(186,924)	(149,455)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(230)	(10,544)	(9,302)
Ending balance	(12,515)	(230)	(10,544)
Pension and other postretirement benefits
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(7,126)	(12,880)	(14,852)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, before tax	(2,926)	2,663	(1,963)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, tax	27	(49)	(33)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	(2,953)	2,712	(1,930)
Reclassifications, before tax	2,052	3,042	3,902
Reclassifications, tax	0	0	0
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income/loss	2,052	3,042	3,902
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Americold Realty Trust	(901)	5,754	1,972
Ending balance	(8,027)	(7,126)	(12,880)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	8,318	3,874	7,018
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(11,640)	4,444	(3,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	0	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Americold Realty Trust	(11,640)	4,444	(3,144)
Ending balance	(3,322)	8,318	3,874
Cash flow hedge derivatives
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,422)	(1,538)	(1,468)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, before tax	862	(1,387)	(1,359)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, tax	173	44	(150)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	689	(1,431)	(1,209)
Ending balance	(1,166)	(1,422)	(1,538)
Interest expense | Cash flow hedge derivatives
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income/loss	1,191	1,547	1,139
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments | Cash flow hedge derivatives
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income/loss		0	0
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net | Cash flow hedge derivatives
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income/loss	$ (3,449)	$ 0	$ 0