Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
Revenues	$ 460,133	$ 470,830	$ 906,776	$ 700,220	$ 381,033	$ 396,613	$ 886,101	$ 656,595	$ 2,537,959	$ 2,320,342	$ 2,260,095
Operating income (loss)	(9,933)	6,681	154,626	91,575	(25,317)	5,320	153,248	102,614	242,949	235,865	300,543
Loss on extinguishments of debt	(19,316)		(18,801)						(38,117)
Net income (loss)	(45,305)	(9,101)	119,549	75,781	(41,126)	(12,323)	135,989	84,954	140,924	167,494	227,610
Net income (loss) attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P.	$ (45,195)	$ (9,152)	$ 118,002	$ 74,868	$ (40,857)	$ (12,372)	$ 134,483	$ 83,959	$ 138,523	$ 165,213	$ 224,643
Income (loss) per limited partner unit (e)
Income per limited partner unit - basic (Note 2)	$ (0.81)	$ (0.19)	$ 1.45	$ 1.07	$ (0.73)	$ (0.23)	$ 1.59	$ 1.15	$ 2.30	$ 2.80	$ 3.59
Diluted	$ (0.81)	$ (0.19)	$ 1.45	$ 1.06	$ (0.73)	$ (0.23)	$ 1.59	$ 1.15	$ 2.30	$ 2.80	$ 3.59