Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Viad	$ 19,976	$ 1,245	$ 27,093	$ 15,517
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares	(532)	(34)	(735)	(412)
Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders	19,444	1,211	26,358	15,105
Denominator:
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,721	19,711	19,694	19,768
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.99	$ 0.06	$ 1.34	$ 0.76
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Viad	$ 19,976	$ 1,245	$ 27,093	$ 15,517
Denominator:
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,721	19,711	19,694	19,768
Additional dilutive shares related to share- based compensation	296	322	299	321
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive shares	20,017	20,033	19,993	20,089
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.99	$ 0.06	$ 1.34	$ 0.76