Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	$ 2,341
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(979)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(10,550)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	12,891
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(979)
Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	11,049,450
Net current period change	2,435
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(1,018)
Ending Balance	10,796,928
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(151,795)
Net current period change	(10,976)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Ending Balance	(162,771)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	12,758
Net current period change	13,411
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(1,018)
Ending Balance	25,151
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	26,152
Net current period change	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Ending Balance	26,152
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(112,885)
Ending Balance	$ (111,468)