Capital And Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Schedule Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Beginning balance	$ (42,081)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Net current period change	(16,653)	(14,714)	24,476
Cash flow hedge adjustments, Net current period change	(3,185)	(7,160)	(5,419)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Ending balance	(55,880)	(42,081)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Ending balance	(60,063)	(45,860)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Beginning balance	(36,051)	(21,337)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Net current period change	(16,653)	(14,714)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Ending balance	(52,704)	(36,051)
Cash Flow Hedge Adjustments [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Cash flow hedge adjustments, Beginning balance	(9,809)	(9,293)
Cash flow hedge adjustments, Net current period change	(3,185)	(7,160)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	5,631	6,644
Cash flow hedge adjustments, Ending balance	(7,363)	(9,809)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Net current period change	(16,123)	(13,674)	22,816
Cash flow hedge adjustments, Net current period change	(3,050)	(6,732)	(5,047)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Beginning balance	(45,860)	(30,630)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Net current period change	(19,838)	(21,874)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	5,631	6,644
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, Ending balance	$ (60,067)	$ (45,860)