Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Proceeds from financing	$ 13,525,000
Proceeds from Share Purchase Agreement - Registered direct	12,000,000	7,500,000
Proceeds from Share Purchase Agreement - Unregistered securities	225,000	225,000
Proceeds from short-term bank loans	1,300,000
Fundraising related expenses	707,500	707,500
Net proceeds from financing	12,817,500
Payments to extinguish 8% senior secured convertible debt	7,747,933
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,979,673	$ 2,979,673	$ 4,051,777	$ 1,233,268	$ 6,009,576
Elephant Talk Communications PRS U.K. Limited [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	51.00%	51.00%
Elephant Talk United Telecommunication Services N.V. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	51.00%	51.00%
Elephant Talk Communications Premium Rate Services Netherlands B.V. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	51.00%	51.00%
Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa (Holding) W.L.L. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	60.00%	60.00%
Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa (Holding) Jordan L.L.C. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa Bahrain W.L.L. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	99.00%	99.00%
Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.54%	50.54%
Elephant Talk Telecomunicacao do Brasil LTDA [Member] | Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	90.00%	90.00%
Elephant Talk Telecomunicacao do Brasil LTDA [Member] | Elephant Talk Communication Holding AG [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	10.00%	10.00%