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, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$ 101	$ 87	$ 66
Interest cost	1,018	1,079	1,030
Expected return on plan assets	(380)	(436)	(400)
Recognized net actuarial loss	492	407	583
Net periodic benefit cost	1,231	1,137	1,279
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	(963)	3,418	(2,565)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(492)	(407)	(583)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,455)	3,011	(3,148)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	(224)	4,148	(1,869)
US Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	152	129	156
Interest cost	619	640	663
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service credit	(552)	(593)	(902)
Recognized net actuarial loss	528	166	518
Net periodic benefit cost	747	342	435
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	(1,248)	1,045	(1,496)
Prior service credit	3	(1,283)	(40)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(528)	(166)	(518)
Prior service credit	552	593	902
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,221)	189	(1,152)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	(474)	531	(717)
Foreign Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	503	413	534
Interest cost	505	631	702
Expected return on plan assets	(583)	(640)	(698)
Recognized net actuarial loss	160	145	248
Net periodic benefit cost	585	549	786
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	182	361	(1,214)
Reversal of amortization of net actuarial loss	(160)	145	(248)
Reversal of amortization item:
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	22	506	(1,462)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 607	$ 1,055	$ (676)

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, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Pension Plans

Net periodic benefit cost:

Service cost

$ 101

$ 87

$ 66

Interest cost

1,018