Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income of Viad's Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$ 98	$ 101	$ 87
Interest cost	1,032	1,018	1,079
Expected return on plan assets	(256)	(380)	(436)
Recognized net actuarial loss	423	492	407
Net periodic benefit cost	1,297	1,231	1,137
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	1	(963)	3,418
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(423)	(492)	(407)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(422)	(1,455)	3,011
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	875	(224)	4,148
US Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	99	152	129
Interest cost	573	619	640
Amortization of prior service credit	(503)	(552)	(593)
Recognized net actuarial loss	295	528	166
Net periodic benefit cost	464	747	342
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	(790)	(1,248)	1,045
Prior service credit	73	3	(1,283)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(295)	(528)	(166)
Prior service credit	503	552	593
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(509)	(1,221)	189
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	(45)	(474)	531
Foreign Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	488	503	413
Interest cost	488	505	631
Expected return on plan assets	(558)	(583)	(640)
Recognized net actuarial loss	162	160	145
Net periodic benefit cost	580	585	549
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	158	182	361
Reversal of amortization of net actuarial loss	(162)	(160)	145
Reversal of amortization item:
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)	22	506
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 576	$ 607	$ 1,055