Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	$ (36,789)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(2,071)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	3,511
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(38,860)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	3,511
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2015	4,535,137
Balance as of September 30, 2016	5,196,648
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2015	(93,883)
Net current period change	(37,388)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Balance as of September 30, 2016	(131,271)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2015	(7,081)
Net current period change	(2,113)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	3,569
Balance as of September 30, 2016	(5,625)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2015	(100,964)
Net current period change	(39,501)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	3,569
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$ (136,896)