Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	$ (11,279)	$ 28,272
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	7,890	5,898
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(3,826)	2,414
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(3,389)	24,759
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(3,826)	2,414
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	11,049,450	5,132,297
Balance at end of period	10,858,210	11,049,450
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(151,795)	(180,504)
Net current period change	(11,736)	28,709
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0	0
Balance at end of period	(163,531)	(151,795)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	12,758	4,191
Net current period change	8,197	6,108
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(3,969)	2,459
Balance at end of period	16,986	12,758
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	26,152	35,694
Net current period change	0	(9,542)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0	0
Balance at end of period	26,152	26,152
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(112,885)	(140,619)
Net current period change	(3,539)	25,275
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(3,969)	2,459
Balance at end of period	$ (120,393)	$ (112,885)