Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Activity in AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 706,755	$ (186,924)	$ (149,455)
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Americold Realty Trust	(1,611)	(12,285)	10,314
Ending balance	1,833,018	706,755	(186,924)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(12,515)	(230)	(10,544)
Ending balance	(14,126)	(12,515)	(230)
Pension and other postretirement benefits
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(8,027)	(7,126)	(12,880)
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Americold Realty Trust	3,269	(901)	5,754
Ending balance	(4,758)	(8,027)	(7,126)
Pension and other postretirement benefits, gain (loss)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, before tax	1,180	(2,926)	2,663
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, tax	3	27	(49)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	1,177	(2,953)	2,712
Pension and other postretirement benefits, prior service cost
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Reclassifications, before tax	2,092	2,052	3,042
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income/loss	2,092	2,052	3,042
Foreign currency translation adjustment
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(3,322)	8,318	3,874
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, before tax	(783)	(11,640)	4,444
Reclassifications, before tax	(2,605)	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Americold Realty Trust	(3,388)	(11,640)	4,444
Ending balance	(6,710)	(3,322)	8,318
Cash flow hedge derivatives
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,166)	(1,422)	(1,538)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, before tax	(1,450)	862	(1,387)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, tax	0	173	44
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	(1,450)	689	(1,431)
Ending balance	(2,658)	(1,166)	(1,422)
Interest expense | Cash flow hedge derivatives
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income/loss	(306)	1,191	1,547
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	1,825	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	$ 264	$ (3,449)	$ 0