| **Financial Instruments (Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basics) (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified** | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]**                                          |          |          |
| Deferred Compensation Plan Assets (mutual funds)                                                                                          | $ 1,916       | $ 1,758       |
| Total Assets, at fair value                                                                                                               | $ 1,916       | $ 1,758       |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the fair value of deferred compensation liabilities. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**gciinc_DeferredCompensationLiabilityFairValue**Namespace Prefix:**gciinc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |