Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and entity information. Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Revenue Sales Revenue, Services, Net Costs and expenses: Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Cost of revenue (exclusive of amortization) (1) Cost of Revenue Selling and marketing (2) Selling and Marketing Expense Technology and Content Expense Technology and content (2) Technology and content expense includes primarily costs of employees and contractors engaged in the design, development, testing and maintenance of our website. General and administrative (2) General and Administrative Expense Related Party Shared Services Fee Related-party shared services fee Related-party shared services fee included in operating expenses. Depreciation Depreciation Depreciation of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development costs Depreciation Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of intangible assets Amortization expense Amortization of intangible assets Operating Income (Loss) Operating income Operating income Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest income (expense), net Interest Income (Expense), Net Interest (expense) income, net Other Nonoperating Income Expenses Other, net Other non-operating income and expenses, net. Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Total other expense, net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Total Income before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income attributable to TripAdvisor, Inc. Net income attributable to TripAdvisor, Inc. Earnings Per Share attributable to TripAdvisor, Inc.: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic EPS Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted EPS Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted average shares used to compute Basic EPS Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Weighted average shares used to compute Diluted EPS Diluted Comprehensive income attributable to TripAdvisor, Inc. Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2,818 and $5,370 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Allowance for doubtful receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Receivable from Expedia, net (note 16) Related Party Transaction, Due from (to) Related Party, Current Deferred income taxes, net (note 9) Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Property and equipment, net (note 6) Capitalized computer software and website development costs, net of accumulated amortization Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Other Assets, Noncurrent Other long-term assets Intangible assets, net (note 7) Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets, net Goodwill Goodwill, Ending balance Goodwill, Beginning balance Goodwill (note 7) LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current Credit facility borrowings (note 8) Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding Revolving Credit Facility borrowings Borrowings, current (note 8) Other Short-term Borrowings Accrued Income Taxes, Current Taxes payable Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (note 10) Accrued Liabilities, Current Deferred income taxes, net (note 9) Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total other long-term liabilities Other long-term liabilities (note 11) Borrowings, net of current portion (note 8) Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Total Long-Term Borrowings Liabilities, Total Total Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12) Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Preferred stock $ .001 par value Authorized shares: 100,000,000 Shares issued and outstanding: 0 and 0 Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred Common Stock Par value per share Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred Common Stock Shares Authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock $.001 par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common stock shares outstanding prior to spin off Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common stock Common Class B [Member] Class B common stock [Member] Class B Common Stock Statement [Line Items] Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (losses) Accumulated other comprehensive loss Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Ending balance Beginning balance Total stockholders' equity Beginning balance, shares Ending balance, shares Balance Additional paid-in capital [Member] Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings [Member] Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Tax benefits on equity awards Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock-based compensation expense Adjustment to Fair Value of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest. Operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Stock based compensation Stock-based compensation Amortization of Financing Costs Total amortization expense Amortization of deferred financing costs Deferred tax benefit Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income tax (benefit) expense: (Recovery) provision for doubtful accounts Provision for Doubtful Accounts Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense Prepaid expenses and other assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Taxes Payable Increase Decrease in Accrued Liability and Other Current Liability Accrued expenses and other liabilities The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of accrued expenses and other currently liabilities that have not yet been paid. Deferred revenue Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development costs Transfers to Parent Net Transfers to Expedia, net Transfers to Expedia, Inc., net Distribution to Related to Spin off Distribution to Expedia related to Spin-Off Distribution to Expedia Inc related to Spin-Off. Financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] STOCK BASED AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY INSTRUMENTS Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] DEBT Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt [Abstract] SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Consolidated and Combined Statements of Operations [Abstract] Consolidated and Combined Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Consolidated and Combined Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Excludes Amortization [Abstract] (1) Excludes amortization as follows: Amortization excluded from cost of revenue. Amortization of Acquired Technology Included in Amortization of Intangibles Amortization of acquired technology included in amortization of intangibles Amortization of acquired technology included in amortization of intangibles. Amortization of Website Development Costs Included in Technology and Content Amortization of website development costs included in depreciation Amortization of website development costs included in technology and content. Excluded Amortization Excluded Amortization Total amortization excluded from cost of revenue. Includes Stock Based Compensation [Abstract] (2) Includes stock-based compensation as follows: Stock-based compensation by operating expense category. Stock Based Compensation Selling and Marketing Selling and marketing Stock-based compensation within selling and marketing expense. Stock Based Compensation Technology and Content Technology and content Stock-based compensation within technology and content expense. Stock Based Compensation General and Administrative General and administrative Stock-based compensation within general and administrative expense. Proceeds from Contributions from Parent Acquisitions funded by Expedia Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other, net Repayments of Lines of Credit Payments on credit facilities Repayments of Long-term Debt Principal payments on long-term debt Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Payment of minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital Issuance of Common Stock Related to Exercise of Options and Warrants and Vesting of Restricted Stock Units Value Issuance of common stock related to exercise of options and warrants and vesting of RSU's Issuance of common stock related to exercise of options and warrants and vesting of restricted stock units value. Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital Issuance of Common Stock Related to Exercise of Options and Warrants and Vesting of Restricted Stock Units Shares Issuance of common stock related to exercise of options and warrants and vesting of RSU's, shares Issuance of common stock related to exercise of options and warrants and vesting of restricted stock units shares. Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract] Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Consolidation Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Accounting Estimates Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Currency translation adjustments New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Summary of total outstanding borrowings Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block] Schedule showing remaining future minimum principal payment obligations Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current Net related party receivable with Expedia and its subsidiaries Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Award Type [Domain] Restricted Stock Units (RSU) [Member] RSUs [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSU) [Member] Warrant [Member] 2012 Stock Warrants [Member] Stock Warrants [Member] Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract] Commitments and contingencies. Stock Options [Member] Stock Options [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Options Outstanding, Ending balance Options Outstanding, Beginning balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Potential shares of common stock Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Schedule of Short-term Debt [Table] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Short-term Debt [Line Items] Stock-based Awards and Other Equity Instruments (Textual) [Abstract] Stock based awards and other equity instruments. Stock Based Awards and Other Equity Instruments (Textual) [Abstract] Stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Stock options vest period One Tranche of Warrants [Member] One Tranche of Warrants [Member] One tranche of warrants. Other Tranche of Warrants [Member] Other tranche of warrants. Other Tranche of Warrants [Member] Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights Prior to Adjustment Exercise price of warrants prior to adjustment Exercise price of warrants or rights prior to adjustment. Common Stock Issued on Conversion of Convertible Securities Common stock share exercisable for each warrant Common stock issued on conversion of convertible securities. Exercise Price of Warrant on Conversion Exercise price per warrant Exercise price of warrant on conversion. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Other RSU's issued under incentive plan Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Granted Fair value of RSU's issued Exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Vested and released Vested and released Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price