Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	$ 16,354
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(4,305)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	1,016
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	12,049
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	1,016
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2016	5,132,297
Balance as of March 31, 2017	5,070,445
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2016	(180,504)
Net current period change	16,578
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Balance as of March 31, 2017	(163,926)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2016	39,885
Net current period change	(4,364)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	1,030
Balance as of March 31, 2017	36,551
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2016	(140,619)
Net current period change	12,214
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	1,030
Balance as of March 31, 2017	$ (127,375)