Stockholder's Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders' equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest
Total Viad shareholder's Equity, Beginning balance			$ 377,894
Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance			8,285
Total shareholders' Equity, Beginning balance			386,179	386,711
Net income attributable to Viad	19,976	1,245	27,093	15,517
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	1,080	1,038	618	675
Net income	21,056	2,283	27,711	16,192
Dividends paid on common stock			(3,649)	(2,435)
Common stock purchased for treasury			(1,038)	(5,230)
Employee benefit plans			3,370	2,800
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments	6,229	(13,072)	7,225	(7,460)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	15	(160)	66	(99)
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss			(35)	(133)
ESOP allocation adjustment			1,150	920
Other			1	4
Total Viad shareholders' Equity, Ending balance	412,077		412,077
Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance	8,902		8,902
Total shareholders' Equity, Ending balance	420,979	391,270	420,979	391,270
Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders' equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest
Total Viad shareholder's Equity, Beginning balance			377,894	378,959
Net income attributable to Viad			27,093	15,517
Dividends paid on common stock			(3,649)	(2,435)
Common stock purchased for treasury			(1,038)	(5,230)
Employee benefit plans			3,370	2,800
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments			7,225	(7,460)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments			66	(99)
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss			(35)	(133)
ESOP allocation adjustment			1,150	920
Other			1	4
Total Viad shareholders' Equity, Ending balance	412,077	382,843	412,077	382,843
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders' equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest
Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance			8,285	7,752
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total			618	675
Other			(1)
Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance	$ 8,902	$ 8,427	$ 8,902	$ 8,427