Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Beginning balance	$ (45,046)	$ 10,691
Net current period change	(54,113)	(59,087)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	2,569	3,350
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Ending balance	(96,590)	(45,046)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Beginning balance	(39,567)	11,745
Net current period change	(50,775)	(51,312)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Ending balance	(90,342)	(39,567)
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Beginning balance	(5,479)	(1,054)
Net current period change	(3,338)	(7,775)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	2,569	3,350
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Ending balance	(6,248)	(5,479)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Beginning balance	(48,433)	8,457
Net current period change	(55,152)	(60,309)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	2,621	3,419
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Ending balance	(100,964)	(48,433)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Beginning balance	(42,138)	10,235
Net current period change	(51,745)	(52,373)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Ending balance	(93,883)	(42,138)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Beginning balance	(6,295)	(1,778)
Net current period change	(3,407)	(7,936)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	2,621	3,419
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Ending balance	$ (7,081)	$ (6,295)