Income Per Unit (Summary Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net income available to common unitholders	$ 42,657	$ 39,211
Weighted average units outstanding-basic	126,445,285	107,099,856
Stock options	70,877	205,830
Class C Units (2007 Grant)		16,358
Unvested incentive units	222,177	262,812
Weighted average shares/units outstanding-diluted	126,738,339	107,584,856
Basic	$ 0.34	$ 0.37
Diluted	$ 0.34	$ 0.36
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Net income available to common unitholders	$ 43,481	$ 40,797
Weighted average units outstanding-basic	128,888,041	111,432,822
Stock options	70,877	205,830
Class C Units (2007 Grant)		16,358
Unvested incentive units	222,177	262,812
Weighted average shares/units outstanding-diluted	129,181,095	111,917,822
Basic	$ 0.34	$ 0.37
Diluted	$ 0.34	$ 0.36