Lofoten Islands itinerary

You can fly to Svolvaer from Bodo and there is car hire at the airport, we had excellent northern lights on the Svolvaer Quay in mid October but we were lucky with weather.

Hurtigruten calls at Svolvaer.

Lofoten is a wonderful place.

So I am planning Northern Norway trip around June.. but, I'm starting
to rethink the date.. When is the best time to travel to Lofoten that
would give me the best chance to see Northern Lights but at the same
time avoid rainy season.. I know, I have to do a narrow balance act in
terms of getting northern lights and praying for good weather.. Just
wondering if going on September would achieve that..

That's a bit like asking for the best time to go skiiing but also avoid the cold season. It those are the requirements I would probably suggest October or November. But, I think you are approaching this from the wrong direction, if you want to see the northern lights, Lofoten is not a great place for that. There are far better places to go if the lights are important. And if you want to see Lofoten, that is better in the summer in my opinion.

SEcondly, if I am going on 10-14 day trip, any suggestions on towns I
would need to stay?? Reine, A, and others?? how many days on each
town?..

The only settlement that might called a town is Svolvær, the rest I would call villages. And you really don't need to stay in several of them, the distances are not huge. But if you are planning a fortnight in the area you should probably add other places as well.

Where do I rent a car?? Do i rent in Bodo and take the ferry to the
island?? or do I rent it once I get to the island?? price
differences?? I heard Ferry charges $200 for taking Ferry w/car.. but
then I heard Ferry is free even with the car if arrive at Verory
first.. and then goto Moskenes from Verory (that's free too??)..

I've never heard of Verory and Google doesn't give me any clues. But bringing a car on the ferry from Bodø to Moskones costs 282 kr for an electric car or 563 kr for a car with a combustion engine.

Is north Norway better??

No, it isn't. Both areas have their advantages and disadvantages.

Basics: NL season above polar circle is from Sept. until March. Approximately May to July is midnight sun season which looks like this at midnight; depending on latitude. More infos about Northern Lights in Norway.

I am not aware of any statistics which make a place better or worse to see Northern Lights. I saw them Sept 3 2016 close to Svolvaer. You need a clear sky and appearance of NL (look for forecast apps for this).

My way was flying into EVE and starting a rental car round trip from there.

With 14 days I would add Vesteralen, e. g. scenic route Andøya.

Is north Norway better??

No, just different: empty, barren and rough; in some very northern parts treeless. Photo from Magerøya in June.

I am not aware of any statistics which make a place better or worse to
see Northern Lights.

There are many factors that influence the likelihood of seeing the lights. Altitude, distance to the nearest coast and topography are three important ones.

If you are sailing to Moskenes you must be departing from Værøy (as opposed to your spelling of Verory)