CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 42,795	$ 27,048	$ 55,567
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax effects of $47, $(78), and $26	75	(125)	42
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(5,827)	(35,673)	(18,431)
Change in net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax effects of $617, 653, and $(1,538)	894	2,556	(2,568)
Change in prior service credit (cost), net of tax effects of $(219), $(210), and $339	(357)	(345)	351
Comprehensive income (loss)	37,580	(6,539)	34,961
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(526)	(442)	(3,213)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Viad	$ 37,054	$ (6,981)	$ 31,748