Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	$ (85,300)	$ (50,775)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0	0
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	41,395	(3,338)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	4,890	2,569
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(43,905)	(54,113)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	4,890	2,569
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of Beginning of Period	4,535,137	3,914,238
Balance as of End of Period	5,132,297	4,535,137
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of Beginning of Period	(93,883)	(42,138)
Net current period change	(86,621)	(51,745)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0	0
Balance as of End of Period	(180,504)	(93,883)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of Beginning of Period	(7,081)	(6,295)
Net current period change	41,998	(3,407)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	4,968	2,621
Balance as of End of Period	39,885	(7,081)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of Beginning of Period	(100,964)	(48,433)
Net current period change	(44,623)	(55,152)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	4,968	2,621
Balance as of End of Period	$ (140,619)	$ (100,964)