<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.1.9</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>427</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>464</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>124</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>11</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information Document</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information Document</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002501 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005501 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfChangesInEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Description of the Business</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/DescriptionOfBusiness</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of the Business</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Lease Termination Costs (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/LeaseTerminationCostsNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Lease Termination Costs (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentIncludingConcessionAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Captions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/OtherBalanceSheetCaptions</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Captions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125100 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/DerivativeInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2128100 - Disclosure - Short-Term Borrowings</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ShortTermBorrowings</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-Term Borrowings</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2131100 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/LongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2134100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2137100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2140100 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2143100 - Disclosure - Postemployment Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PostemploymentBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Postemployment Benefits</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2146100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2153100 - Disclosure - Elimination of Deferred Statutory Profit Sharing Liability, Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/EliminationOfDeferredStatutoryProfitSharingLiabilityNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Elimination of Deferred Statutory Profit Sharing Liability, Net</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2154100 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2155100 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Financial Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2156100 - Disclosure - Geographic Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/GeographicInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2157100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2204201 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentIncludingConcessionAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Captions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/OtherBalanceSheetCaptionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Captions (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2325301 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2328301 - Disclosure - Short-Term Borrowings (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ShortTermBorrowingsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-Term Borrowings (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2331301 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/LongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2334301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2337301 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2340301 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2343301 - Disclosure - Postemployment Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PostemploymentBenefitsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Postemployment Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2346301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2354301 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2355301 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2356301 - Disclosure - Geographic Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/GeographicInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401401 - Disclosure - Description of the Business (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/DescriptionOfBusinessDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of the Business (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/EarningsPerShareReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410401 - Disclosure - Lease Termination Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/LeaseTerminationCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Lease Termination Costs (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets) (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentIncludingConcessionAssetsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets) (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets) Schedule of Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentIncludingConcessionAssetsScheduleOfPropertyAndEquipmentIncludingConcessionAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets) Schedule of Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Captions Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/OtherBalanceSheetCaptionsAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Captions Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422401 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425402 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425403 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsFairValueOfDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425404 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments Derivative Instruments Affecting the Consolidated Statements of Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDerivativeInstrumentsAffectingConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments Derivative Instruments Affecting the Consolidated Statements of Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428402 - Disclosure - Schedule of Short-Term Borrowings (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ScheduleOfShortTermBorrowingsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Short-Term Borrowings (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428403 - Disclosure - Short-Term Borrowings (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ShortTermBorrowingsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-Term Borrowings (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431402 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/LongTermDebtScheduleOfLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431403 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt KCSR Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/LongTermDebtKcsrLongTermDebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt KCSR Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431404 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt Tex-Mex Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/LongTermDebtTexMexLongTermDebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt Tex-Mex Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431405 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt KCSM Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/LongTermDebtKcsmLongTermDebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt KCSM Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431406 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt Leases and Debt Maturities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/LongTermDebtLeasesAndDebtMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt Leases and Debt Maturities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleOfIncomeTaxExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434403 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Schedule of Income Before Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleOfIncomeBeforeIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Schedule of Income Before Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434404 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434405 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleOfEffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434406 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Uncertain Tax Positions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/IncomeTaxesUncertainTaxPositionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Uncertain Tax Positions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434407 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Capital Stock Shares Authorized, Issued and Outstanding (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/StockholdersEquityCapitalStockSharesAuthorizedIssuedAndOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Capital Stock Shares Authorized, Issued and Outstanding (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/StockholdersEquityParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437404 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Treasury Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/StockholdersEquityTreasuryStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Treasury Stock (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437405 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/StockholdersEquityAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437406 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Significant Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/StockholdersEquitySignificantReclassificationsOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Significant Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437407 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Cash Dividends on Common Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/StockholdersEquityCashDividendsOnCommonStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Cash Dividends on Common Stock (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440402 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440403 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation, Stock Options (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation, Stock Options (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440404 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation, Nonvested Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationNonvestedStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation, Nonvested Stock (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440405 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation, Performance Based Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationPerformanceBasedAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation, Performance Based Awards (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440406 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443402 - Disclosure - Postemployment Benefits (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PostemploymentBenefitsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postemployment Benefits (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443403 - Disclosure - Postemployment Benefits Components of Net Benefits and Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PostemploymentBenefitsComponentsOfNetBenefitsAndCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postemployment Benefits Components of Net Benefits and Costs (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443404 - Disclosure - Postemployment Benefits Change in Benefit Obligation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PostemploymentBenefitsChangeInBenefitObligationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postemployment Benefits Change in Benefit Obligation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443405 - Disclosure - Postemployment Benefits Weighted Average Assumptions Used for Benefit Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PostemploymentBenefitsWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedForBenefitObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postemployment Benefits Weighted Average Assumptions Used for Benefit Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443406 - Disclosure - Postemployment Benefits Weighted Average Assumptions Used for Benefit Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PostemploymentBenefitsWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedForBenefitCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postemployment Benefits Weighted Average Assumptions Used for Benefit Costs (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443407 - Disclosure - Postemployment Benefits Assumed Health Care Cost Trends (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PostemploymentBenefitsAssumedHealthCareCostTrendsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postemployment Benefits Assumed Health Care Cost Trends (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443408 - Disclosure - Postemployment Benefits Expected Benefit Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/PostemploymentBenefitsExpectedBenefitPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postemployment Benefits Expected Benefit Payments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2446402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2446403 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Personal Injury Liability Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesPersonalInjuryLiabilityActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Personal Injury Liability Activity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2453401 - Disclosure - Elimination of Deferred Statutory Profit Sharing Liability, Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/EliminationOfDeferredStatutoryProfitSharingLiabilityNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Elimination of Deferred Statutory Profit Sharing Liability, Net (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2454402 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2455402 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2455403 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2455404 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingBalanceSheetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2455405 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingStatementsOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2456402 - Disclosure - Geographic Information (Information by Geographic Area) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/GeographicInformationInformationByGeographicAreaDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic Information (Information by Geographic Area) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2457401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.kcsouthern.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)' have maximum duration 365 days and at least 39 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (9) as many values. Column '1/1/2013 - 3/31/2013' is shorter (89 days) and has only 2 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)' have maximum duration 365 days and at least 39 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (9) as many values. Column '4/1/2013 - 6/30/2013' is shorter (90 days) and has only 2 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)' have maximum duration 365 days and at least 39 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (9) as many values. Column '7/1/2013 - 9/30/2013' is shorter (91 days) and has only 1 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)' have maximum duration 365 days and at least 39 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (9) as many values. Column '10/1/2013 - 12/31/2013' is shorter (91 days) and has only 3 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)' have maximum duration 365 days and at least 39 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (9) as many values. Column '1/1/2014 - 3/31/2014' is shorter (89 days) and has only 2 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)' have maximum duration 365 days and at least 39 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (9) as many values. Column '4/1/2014 - 6/30/2014' is shorter (90 days) and has only 1 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)' have maximum duration 365 days and at least 39 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (9) as many values. Column '7/1/2014 - 9/30/2014' is shorter (91 days) and has only 1 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)' have maximum duration 365 days and at least 39 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (9) as many values. Column '10/1/2014 - 12/31/2014' is shorter (91 days) and has only 3 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002501 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1005501 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>ksu-20141231.xml</File>
    <File>ksu-20141231.xsd</File>
    <File>ksu-20141231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>ksu-20141231_def.xml</File>
    <File>ksu-20141231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>ksu-20141231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
