Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	$ 4,266
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	21,687	$ 0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(2,005)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	7,880
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	21,687
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(3,614)
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(2,005)
Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	0
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	10,858,210	11,049,450
Net current period change	5,418
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	21,687	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(2,094)
Ending balance	10,982,499	$ 10,936,544
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(163,531)
Net current period change	9,193
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	21,687
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Ending balance	(132,651)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	16,986
Net current period change	(3,775)
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(2,094)
Ending balance	11,117
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 of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	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	(120,393)
Ending balance	$ (95,382)