Litigation, Claims, Contingencies and Other - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Agreement	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation liability	$ 4,500,000	$ 4,700,000
Maximum potential amount of future payments	$ 10,400,000
Guarantees relate to leased facilities expiry date	2021-03
Recourse provision to recover guarantees	$ 0
Bargaining agreements | Agreement	100
Percent of Viad's regular full-time employees are covered by collective-bargaining agreements	29.00%
Contribution to multi-employer pension plans	$ 21,988,000	23,152,000	$ 20,313,000
Self insurance reserve	20,500,000
Workers' compensation liability	13,400,000
Self insurance reserve for general and auto	7,100,000
Self insurance reserve on discontinued operations	4,200,000
Payments for self insurance	5,600,000	$ 4,800,000	$ 6,600,000
Self insurance reserve in which company is the primary obligor	6,000,000
Self insurance reserve in which company is the primary obligor for workers compensation	2,500,000
Self insurance reserve in which company is the primary obligor for general liability	3,500,000
Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
General range on claims	200,000
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
General range on claims	$ 500,000