Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Activity in AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 3,866,175	$ 2,131,006	$ 3,792,821	$ 1,833,018
Other comprehensive (loss) income - net of tax attributable to Americold Realty Trust	(8,849)	4,051	(9,098)	(17,866)
Ending balance	4,015,183	2,108,872	4,015,183	2,108,872
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(4,628)	(36,043)	(4,379)	(14,126)
Ending balance	(13,477)	(31,992)	(13,477)	(31,992)
Pension and other postretirement benefits
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(2,548)	(3,932)	(3,325)	(4,758)
Other comprehensive (loss) income - net of tax attributable to Americold Realty Trust	389	414	1,166	1,240
Ending balance	(2,159)	(3,518)	(2,159)	(3,518)
Pension and other postretirement benefits, gain (loss)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative	382	407	1,144	1,218
Less: Tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net gain (loss) on designated derivatives	382	407	1,144	1,218
Pension and other postretirement benefits, prior service cost
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Amount reclassified from prior service cost	7	7	22	22
Less: Tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net (loss) income	7	7	22	22
Foreign currency translation adjustment
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(422)	(21,920)	3,234	(6,710)
(Loss) gain on foreign currency translation	(9,485)	4,641	(13,141)	(10,569)
Less: Tax expense	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income - net of tax attributable to Americold Realty Trust	(9,485)	4,641	(13,141)	(10,569)
Ending balance	(9,907)	(17,279)	(9,907)	(17,279)
Hedge derivative
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,658)	(10,191)	(4,288)	(2,658)
Less: Tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net gain (loss) on designated derivatives	5,094	(6,097)	10,116	(10,477)
Ending balance	(1,411)	(11,195)	(1,411)	(11,195)
Hedge derivative | Interest expense
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net (loss) income	3	1,286	142	2,017
Hedge derivative | Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net (loss) income	627	0	2,055	0
Hedge derivative | Other, net
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net (loss) income	(5,477)	3,807	(9,436)	(77)
Cash flow hedge derivative
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative	5,094	(6,097)	10,116	(15,727)
Net investment hedge derivative
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 5,250